Hallgrímskirkja

One of the big things to see in Reykjavik is the Hallgrímskirkja church. Located at the top of a hill at the end of one of the main streets, it would be pretty hard not to see it even if you tried to avoid it. 

I have to admit that over a number of visits to Europe I’ve become a bit blasé about the imposing and impossibly impressive buildings. The first one I saw left me quite spellbound, with the soaring arches and roofs, the sheer weight of stone balanced hundreds of feet up in the air for centuries. It’s not entirely possible to believe really – but after a few of them, you become a little immune to the magic. 

Hallgrímskirkja, unlike most of the cathedrals I have visited, was built in the late 20th century, finished and consecrated in 1986.  The outside facade is, presumably, designed to convey a motif of the hexagonal basalt columns that are dotted throught the country, but to be honest it’s a little, shall we say, “austere”.  I didn’t have high hopes when we walked in – but I was wrong. 

It’s a modern take on an ancient design, and it was fascinating to see how that looked. The colours and materials are much the same, but to see how it looked in this form is like listening to a modern rock band play well known classical music – it’s not better or worse, it’s just a different expression of the same thing. It was really interesting.

Then the kids got to play on the statues outside, which they seemed to enjoy and wasn’t discouraged. 

Since then, after our tough day so far, we have all gone back to the apartment for a snooze. 😄

In a while I’m sure we will stir, seeking out food and drink to sustain us into the night. We have a show to see at the Concert Hall this evening, and then I am writing a review of the West Coast – Carlton game for The Footy Almanac.  I should be close to the furthest person on the plant from where the game is being played in Melbourne, and we should be able to stream it at the convenient time of 3.10am tomorrow morning. At least it won’t be dark by then!