Churches and small churches, small and huge, picturesque and modern.
You will not find historical architectural monuments of the „European“ type in Iceland. The view of the picturesque churches in the settlements or standing alone in the desolate landscape will make the traveler's eye even more pleasing. The oldest are from the end of the 18th century. Of the turf structures from the previous period, only indications of foundations remained. From the 19th century, wood imported from Norway, Sweden and Denmark began to be used to build churches. A very used material is also stone. From the beginning of the 20th century, concrete began to be used to build churches (especially in larger cities).
Hvalneskirkja
A small church near the village of Hvalnes on the Reykjanes peninsula – southwest Iceland.
Skálholt
The cathedral stands on the site of a former diocese. Originally, there was a large wooden cathedral, which was built from funds obtained from land proceeds. The very first school in Iceland was also established here. The fame of the diocese faded only when the region was hit by a devastating earthquake at the end of the 18th century. The bishop subsequently moved to Reykjavík and Skálholt was abandoned for a long time.
Skálholt
The interior of the cathedral.
Skálholt
A small wooden church standing next to the cathedral.
Víkurkirkja
Church in the southernmost settlement on the island, Vík-í-Mýrdal.
Víkurkirkja
Cemetery by the church.
Húsavíkkirkja
Church in Húsavík, the largest city in northeastern Iceland. It dates from 1907.
Akureyrarkirkja
Church in the largest city in northern Iceland. Like the Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík, this building is the work of architect Guðjón Samúelsson. Inside the church are dazzling stained glass windows, the central panels of which originally came from the British Cathedral in Coventry. Before the cathedral was destroyed during air raids in Britain, the windows were remarkably foreseen at the beginning of World War II and sold to an Icelandic dealer who accidentally discovered them at an antique shop in London.
Glaumbær
Church at Glaumbær farm.
Blönduóskirkja
A concrete church in the town of Blönduós, which resembles a volcanic crater.
Ϸingeyrakirkja
A beautiful church from the 19th century built of basalt blocks brought on a sleigh across the frozen Hóp lagoon. It was the first stone building in the wider area. Also worth noting is the interior with simple green benches and a blue ceiling painted with gold stars. The wooden pulpit dates from 1696 and was brought from Holland, the altar decorated with religious figures from alabaster dates from the 15th century. and was made for the former convent in the English town of Nottingham.
Ϸingeyrakirkja
Ϸingeyrakirkja
Breiðavík
Church near the village Breiðavík, above one of the most beautiful Icelandic beaches.
Ólafsvíkkirkja
Church in Ólafsvík, the most productive fishing town on the Snæfellnes peninsula.
Ólafsvíkkirkja
Church interior.
Búðir
The small church, dating from 1703, is black as an angle with white-framed windows. It looks very moving compared to the majestic Snæfellsnes mountain range in the background. The grassy lava embankment bordering the cemetery is remarkable.
Finger
There is also a church in the Ϸingvellir National Park, dating from 1859, and behind it is a plot of land for the tombs of prominent Icelanders.
Landakotskirkja
Landakotskirkja (Cathedral of Christ the King), a church in Reykjavik.
Hallgrímskirkja
Hallgrímskirkja is a church in Reykjavík. With its height of 74.5 meters, it is one of the tallest buildings in Iceland. It was named after Hallgrímur Pétursson. It was designed by architect Guðjón Samúelsson in 1937. Its construction began in 1945, and 38 years later, in 1986, it was completed. With its location in the city center, it has become one of its symbols.
Hallgrímskirkja
Austere church interior.
Hallgrímskirkja
Concrete tower of the church.
Domkirkjan Cathedral
Dómkirkjan í Reykjavík Cathedral is located next to the Icelandic Parliament.
Domkirkjan Cathedral
The interior of the cathedral.
Fríkirkjan
Fríkirkjan – a Lutheran church stands on the shores of Lake Tjörnin in central Reykjavík.
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