Hallgrim's Church in Reykjavik

Reykjavík, Iceland - Hallgrimur's Church, also referred to as Hallgrim's Church or Hallgrímskirkja (literally, the church of Hallgrímur) is a church in Reykjavík. At 74.5 metres (244 ft), it is one of the tallest buildings in Iceland. The church is named after an Icelandic poet and clergyman, Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614 to 1674), the author of the Passíusálmar, among other works.

The design, by State Architect Guðjón Samúelsson, was commissioned in 1937. It took 38 years to build the church; construction work began in 1945 and ended in 1986, the landmark tower being completed long before the church's actual completion. It is situated in the city centre and is visible throughout the city and has become one of Reykjavík's best known symbols.

The church is also used as an observation tower. You can take a lift up to the viewing deck where you get great views of Reykjavík and the surrounding mountains.

The statue in front of the church represents Leifr Eiríksson, son of Eiríkr rauði. It is somewhat older than the church itself, being a gift from the United States on the 1930 Althing Millennial Festival, commemorating the 1000th anniversary of Iceland's parliament.