What is worth seeing in Reykjavik? Reykjavik Cathedral Reykjavik Cathedral Iceland.

Iceland is a stunning country with beautiful landscapes and unique architectural monuments. The capital of the country is especially distinguished - Reykjavik, which is located on the Seltjadnarnes peninsula. The name of the city is translated as "smoking bay" due to the many hot geysers that gush out of the ground and supply the country's capital with hot water. There really is something to see here.

Reykjavik Cathedral: all the great and significant

The main church in Reykjavik is the Cathedral, which houses the chair of the Bishop of the Church of Iceland. The majestic building is located in the city center. The cathedral was built in 1787 after an earthquake that destroyed many buildings in the country's religious center, Skalholt.

In the middle of the 19th century, the building was rebuilt, at that moment a baptismal font was installed here, made of marble by the sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. He was a famous and very talented master, he was the author of idealized marble portraits and a singer of the Antiquity era. He, like no one else, managed to guess with the design of the font and other decorative elements of the Cathedral.

The cathedral was built in accordance with the principles of the Danish colonial style, outwardly it is less pompous than the Lutheran Church of Hallgrimskirkja, but the point is not in grandeur, but in the soulfulness with which services are held and the requests of parishioners are attended to. Everyone who finds himself here will not be left without attention and will be able to find solace for his soul, be alone with himself and reflect on the eternal.

Spiritual culture of the city

The people of the city love to come here. Spirituality seems to permeate this amazing city, here you can also see the most beautiful Cathedral of Hallgrimskirkja. Those who live near such a unique attraction in Iceland simply cannot pass by.

If you look into the cathedral during the morning service, you can listen to the organ. By the way, when the Icelandic parliament opens its regular session, it arrives for mass at the Reykjavik Cathedral.

The address: Kirkjustræti, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland

Working hours: on weekdays from 10:00 to 16:00, and on weekends for ceremonies.

Reykjavik Cathedral on Reykjavik map

Landakotskirkja (Iceland) - description, history, location. Exact address and website. Reviews of tourists, photos and videos.

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It cannot be said that Iceland in general and Reykjavik in particular can boast of a wealth of architectural sights. Yes, they don’t need this, because all this is more than paid off by the amazing color of life and, of course, nature. But still, in the capital of the northern island, there are several buildings that are definitely worth seeing. One of these is the Catholic Cathedral of the King of Christ or Landakotskirkja. The silhouette of this severe majestic building, which rises on one of the city's hills, immediately catches the eye.

The history of the beautiful Landakotskirkja temple dates back to the 19th century. It would seem surprising, where did a majestic Catholic church come from in such a remote and, in general, absolutely Lutheran country as Iceland? In the middle of the 19th century, two Catholic missionaries arrived on this northern island from much warmer lands, namely from beautiful France. Their names were Jean-Baptiste Baudouin and Bernard Bernard. It is not difficult to imagine that they had an extremely difficult time away from home and in the harsh Icelandic climate. However, this could not break their faith. With the accumulated money, they bought a piece of land with several buildings, on which they began to live. Soon a very small chapel appeared around their dwelling, and a few years later the ascetics even built a wooden church.

According to historical documents that have survived to this day, this event took place in the period of 60-70 years of the century before last. There, the priests served masses, fed a small flock, and oddly enough, few people even knew about their existence.

The 19th century was replaced by the 20th, Europe survived the most terrible, at that time only the First World War, and the Catholic community of Reykjavik, thanks to the efforts of missionaries, expanded and grew. So much so that soon there was a need for a Catholic church that could accommodate all the worshipers. In 1929, the construction of a new church in the neo-Gothic style was completed, and the illumination (in honor of the King of Christ) of the church was carried out by the envoy of Pope Pius XI himself, Cardinal William van Rossum.

The appearance of the temple immediately attracts attention: the well-chosen neo-Gothic style gives the impression of an ancient building, and it is difficult to guess that it was built not in the 13th century, but in the second quarter of the 20th. However, it is worth taking a closer look and it will become noticeable that Landakotskirkya was built of concrete. It remains only to marvel at the skill of the builders under the leadership of Gudjoun Samuelsson, who built such a structure from a material atypical for Gothic. It is worth paying attention to the tower of the cathedral, which has a flat top, and not the usual spire. The place was also excellently chosen - the high hill of Landakost in the western part of the city. The interiors of the church are made in the same neo-gothic style with many arches. It is impossible not to look at the beautiful tiles that lined the floor of the church.

Address: Old West Side, 101.

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Reykjavik, the northernmost capital of the world, the northernmost country on the planet, does not have many attractions, but all of them will be interesting to visit. As well as objects that you can visit on your own in the vicinity of the city. Here is a list of the main attractions that should be included in the visit program in order to get the most complete picture of the impressions of your stay in Iceland.

1. Reykjavik Cathedral. This is the main church of the capital of Iceland. It is located almost in the center of the city, and the inhabitants of the city honor the cathedral, perhaps, as the main symbol of the city. Initially, the cathedral was planned to be built in 1785, when the city of Skalholt (which was the religious center of Iceland) suffered serious damage due to a devastating earthquake. And yet, the Reykjavik Cathedral was built, but with a slight delay - two years. It is made in the Danish architectural style of the colonial period. Since then, the building has been rebuilt and reconstructed several times. The largest reconstruction of the Cathedral was made in 1847. Then they increased the area of the church building, using various modern technologies for this. And the famous Icelandic sculptor Thorvaldsen made a marble baptismal font especially for this Cathedral. Today it goes well with the interior of the cathedral. In recent decades, the Reykjavik Cathedral has been reconstructed several times, and the famous architect T. Gunnarsson supervised the process.

2. National Museum of Iceland. It differs from other museums, first of all, by the fact that here you can learn the history of this northern country not only by contemplating all kinds of archaeological exhibits, but also with the help of the most modern interactive multimedia equipment. The museum will find something to tell and show you about more than a thousand-year history of the state. The most popular archaeological exhibit in the museum's collection is a silver sculpture of the god Thor. It was cast by craftsmen over a thousand years ago. There are other equally interesting exhibits in the museum. Including Viking weapons and the famous Gudbrandur bible from 1584. This museum also has a life-size replica of a fishing schooner. A separate exposition is devoted to the reconstruction of the decoration of a traditional rural house. You will be able to see with your own eyes a collection of men's and women's Icelandic national clothes and other historically important and interesting collections of ancient things. There is also a small cozy cafe in the building of the National Museum of Iceland. It is considered one of the most expensive in Reykjavik, but you can have a hearty lunch there, completing a tour of the museum. Also in this museum, you should definitely go to the local souvenir shop, which is also one of the most expensive, but also the best in the city. Here you can buy traditional Icelandic souvenirs and gifts.

3. Hill Perlan (translated from Icelandic "pearl"). This urban hill is the largest in the city and is visible from absolutely anywhere in the city. People don't live here, the hill is covered with forest. But you will be interested not in the landscape object itself, but in the building that stands on its top and has the same name with the hill. In appearance, this structure looks like a chamomile, and each petal of Perlan is a reservoir of hot water. Perlan today is a city boiler house, and it is heated exclusively by thermal waters. The building reaches a height of almost 26 meters. The first "floor" of Perlan is a winter garden, where various concerts of popular artists and exhibitions are regularly held. There is an interesting observation tower to visit, where panoramic telescopes are installed. Here, on the fourth floor of the building, there are several shops (including those with souvenirs and Christmas products). Above the tower is the most luxurious domed restaurant in the city, with a revolving floor. And at night, the dome of the restaurant is lit up and makes a complete panoramic rotation in two hours. In one of the water tanks here is the Saga Museum. Here you can learn more about the traditions and national culture of the Icelanders.

4. Church of Hallgrimskirkja. The famous Lutheran church, which is today one of the symbols of Reykjavik and one of the tallest buildings in the country. The church is named after Petursson Hallgrímur, spiritual leader and poet, author of the book Passion hymns. The Hallgrimskirkja Church was designed by the architect Goodion Samuelson in 1937. Construction has been going on for almost four decades. The crypt and choir stalls were built in 1948, the tower and wings later - only in 1974. The nave was consecrated only in 1986. Today you can see the Church of Hallgrimskirkja from any corner of the city. It is located in the very center, and is one of the main attractions of the entire capital. Pay attention while visiting the church to the 15-meter organ. Its author is master Johannes Klais from Bonn. The design weighs about 25 tons and has more than 5,000 pipes. Today, the Hallgrímskirkja Church is also used as a lookout tower, offering stunning views of the capital and the mountains that surround it. In 1930, when the Icelandic Parliament turned 1000 years old, the United States presented the country with a statue of Leif the Fortunate, which you can see today on the square in front of the church.

5. Laugavegur street. This is the main shopping artery of Reykjavik and one of the oldest shopping streets in all of Iceland. In translation, its name means "to wash the roads" and goes back to the hot springs, where in ancient times the women of the city arranged laundries for washing. The modern Laugavegur Street was built in 1885 by decision of the city council. She also experienced economic failures, especially in recent years. This is due to the growing popularity of shopping centers Kringlan and Smaralind. However, to this day, this historic shopping street retains its charm and today houses exclusive Icelandic brands known throughout the country. Also, Laugavegur Street is today the location of most of the bars, restaurants and nightclubs of Reykjavik. Every Friday and Saturday the street is filled with vacationing citizens and tourists from all over the world. By the way, the famous Museum of Icelandic Philology is located on the same street.

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As Iceland is not like all other countries, its capital, Reykjavik, also stands out from the general mass of cities. You can find so many amazing monuments of architecture, sculpture or nature in it that it even takes your breath away. In addition, having arrived in Reykjavik, one is amazed at how harmoniously harsh nature and creations created by the hand of man can coexist, how durable and at the same time fragile this union can be.

What should you first of all pay attention to when getting acquainted with the capital of Ireland? I will try to answer this question by highlighting the most interesting and memorable sights of the city.

Reykjavik surprises not only with its nature, but also with its architecture. Perhaps the most grandiose building in the city is Hallgrimskirkja Lutheran Church, located at Eiríksgata, 101 Capital Area and visible from almost any part of the capital. The height of its tower is about 73 meters, and it is considered the largest temple in Iceland. Once nearby, you should definitely pay attention to its walls, as if shining in the sun, go inside to feel like a small grain of sand compared to such a giant, and also look at the statue of the traveler Eiriksson, who was able to land on the American continent in 500 years, installed in front of the building before Columbus, but did not tell anyone about it.

Speaking of places of worship in Reykjavik, one can also note Landakotskirkja temple(or as it is also called - the Catholic Church of Christ), located in the western part of Reykjavik on Landakots Hill. Built at the beginning of the 20th century in neo-Gothic style, the building impresses with its grandeur, austerity and elegance at the same time. Going inside, special attention should be paid to the unique statue of Christ above the altar (the artist was ordered to create a sculpture unlike any other in the world), a wooden statue of the Holy Virgin Mary with a child, preserved from the 14th century, as well as a carved bishop's pulpit, made by one of the most talented Icelandic masters.

Another truly amazing building in Reykjawk is Perlan- a building that combined several objects under its dome, including an observation deck, a cafe and a popular restaurant rotating under the dome, as well as an artificial geyser and an exhibition hall. Previously, there were containers for storing hot water on the hill, which someone decided to adapt to other needs and make such an unusual, but very popular city attraction. By the way, when walking near Perlan, be sure to go up to the observation deck located under the dome - from there you can see a simply stunning panoramic view of the city and its surroundings.

In 2007, the opening and towers "Imagine the world" dedicated to the memory of John Lennon. Conceived as a kind of beacon of the world, the tower is essentially a large cylinder or well (wishing well, as it is called), from which the wishing tower rises. As you get closer, you can enjoy the spectacle of color provided by multicolored lanterns projecting their reflection into the dark sky, as well as read the words "Imagine a world" written in 24 languages.

There are also extraordinary houses in the capital of Iceland, which, if possible, you should definitely look at. This is, first of all, House Khevdi(Höfðatún, Austurbær Capital Region), in which in 1986 a cooperation agreement was signed between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, which put, one might say, the end of the Cold War. In addition, many well-known political and cultural figures have repeatedly stayed there. Also, while walking through the old town, you can pay attention to the ancient government building and House of Parliament.

Reykjavik impresses not only with its landscapes and architecture, but also with unusual sculptures that adorn the city. So, one of the most favorite places for meetings, especially for lovers, is the area in front of sculpture "Sun Voyager”, created by the talented Icelandic sculptor Jon Gunnar Arnason in the late 80s (installed in 1990, but the artist did not live to see this moment, as he died of cancer). Made in the form of a stylized ship, the sculpture reminds someone of a Viking ship sailing to overseas distances, although the creator himself saw in his creation a desire for a dream and a new, brighter future.

And of course, having arrived in Reykjavik, it is impossible to ignore its natural attractions. So, a truly iconic place in the Icelandic capital is Mount Esya, which is visible from almost anywhere in the city and which is a real guardian angel and a symbol of the city. This mountain should not only be viewed from the side, but you should definitely try to conquer it, climbing at least along the tourist path. After all, the view that opens from its slopes to the city and its surrounding space cannot be described in words!

Well, in order to create a complete picture of how the inhabitants of Iceland lived and breathed in the old days, you can look into the amazing open-air museum in Arbayarsafn. On its territory, visitors are invited to visit historical or local history expositions, as well as to feel the atmosphere of traditional Iceland in the restored streets or in reconstructed old houses.

Thus, Reykjavik surprises and attracts its guests not only with its extraordinary nature, but also with extraordinary monuments of sculpture and architecture, emphasizing its originality and uniqueness.

Greetings, dear readers!Today I will introduce you to some churches in the capital of Iceland, tell you about the attitude of Icelanders to religion and what norms of relationships are accepted in Icelandic society. If you regularly read my site, you already know that in the Scandinavian country of Iceland, Lutheranism is the official state religion, and priests in Icelandic churches, along with men, are also women. What is very unusual for Orthodox Christians, however, is a fact.

The church in Icelandic is called Kirkja Kirkja. Over 350 Lutheran churches are scattered throughout Iceland, in towns, villages and farms. I wrote about this in detail in articles. The largest Lutheran cathedral in the country is called and it is located, of course, in Reykjavik. Its 74-meter bell tower is clearly visible from anywhere in the city:

The capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, is the largest city in the country, and each of the districts of Reykjavik has its own, so to speak, “district” Lutheran church. Just 100 years ago, Reykjavik was a small village, and only after the Second World War began to actively expand in breadth. Over the past decades, there has been a massive development of new residential areas and, as part of the urban infrastructure, churches have been built.

The architecture of most of them has a modern appearance and is completely different from our usual idea of \u200b\u200bhow a church should look like. The buildings are more reminiscent of art objects of the original, sometimes quite complex configuration. The fact that the unusual building is a church can only be guessed by the presence of a cross, which, at times, you will not immediately see, since it is not necessarily located on the roof. A small bell tower is often located separately from the building itself. Here are photos of several city churches in Reykjavik, admire and appreciate:

There are also churches in Reykjavík with a classical appearance, the kind we are all used to. When there is no doubt that the church is in front of you. It is easy to see the trend of changing the architectural style: the younger the building, the more unusual its appearance. I must say that the Icelandic society is very loyal, including in matters of religion. And the peculiar modern architectural solutions of Icelandic churches clearly confirm this.

Frikirkjan i Reykjavík. 1903

Catholic church Landakotskirkja. Reykjavik. 1929

Hateigskirkja. Reykjavik. 1965

The population of Iceland is only 320 thousand people. In such a small society, each person is not lost in the general mass, but, on the contrary, is “in sight”, his role, voice and opinion have much more “weight” than in a nation of many millions.

The vast majority of Icelanders are religious people who profess Lutheranism. But their communication with the church differs significantly from what is customary in Orthodoxy. Icelandic churches do not have daily morning, afternoon and evening services and Icelanders do not go to church daily. Regular services are held only on Sundays, and of course, on major Christian holidays.

Most Icelanders rarely go to church on purpose, mostly unless they are invited to a ceremony, wedding or funeral service. And very few attend Sunday Mass regularly. But this does not prevent the majority of Icelanders from being believers who keep God's commandments. Suffice it to say that the crime rate in Iceland is the lowest in the world.

In this country, it is not customary to be afraid of a neighbor and hide behind a high fence, iron doors or bars on the windows. There are no orphanages here, but there is a line of families ready to take in an abandoned child or an orphan for upbringing. Murders are extremely rare (1-2 cases per year) and occur, as a rule, under the influence of alcohol or because of jealousy, and not “on order”. There are no such types of crimes as raider seizure of business and racketeering.

Previously, before the creation of the Schengen zone, which Iceland is also part of, the crime rate in the country was even lower. Local residents had no idea what burglaries were and many left the house leaving the door unlocked. But after the borders of Iceland were opened for citizens of the Eurozone, criminal elements arrived in the country, mainly from the Baltic countries, and the situation with crime in Iceland, unfortunately, did not change for the better. But I repeat that the crime rate in the country is still very low.

All Icelanders are equal in their rights from birth, regardless of origin, material well-being and position. For Icelanders, this is a truth that does not require proof, because democracy and equality are literally “in their blood”. No wonder the Icelandic parliament, formed in 930 AD, is considered the oldest in the world. Honesty, decency, friendliness and lack of pride are highly valued in Icelandic society. Here it is absolutely not customary to look down on people or boast of their wealth, position or fame in society.

Public people in Iceland behave modestly and simply, without arrogance. A common picture if you see a famous actor or minister in a supermarket buying groceries and standing in a general line at the checkout. At the same time, the people around behave quite calmly: no excitement, whispering, expressions of obsequious admiration, etc. can not be. But any citizen of the country can justifiably criticize any official, including the Prime Minister and the President.

A characteristic and very striking detail that reflects the equality of all citizens of Icelandic society is the cemetery. In Iceland, there are no elite cemeteries, pantheons, mausoleums and similar burial places for "especially honored" Icelanders. This is not accepted here. Unusual for Russians, isn't it? All Icelandic cemeteries are equally modest and neat.

In many rural cemeteries, next to the graves of ordinary farmers, you can find the graves of famous Icelanders who bequeathed to bury themselves in their small homeland. And, outwardly, the graves of peasants and celebrities look equally modest and practically do not differ. A simple cross, plaque, or small stone bearing the name and dates. Sometimes a few more heartfelt words from relatives of the deceased... After all, pomposity has no meaning for Icelanders during life, and even more so after death...

Here they are, real Icelanders, Scandinavians, descendants: proud, but without pride; independent, but sociable and friendly; freedom-loving, but loyal and law-abiding; accessible in communication, without pomposity, stupid arrogance, meaningless external tinsel and useless "splurge". Small, hardworking and proud people, worthy of sincere respect.

Reykjavík Cathedral, which houses the pulpit of the Bishop of the Church of Iceland, is located in the city centre. It is considered the main attraction of the capital and is dearly loved and revered by the townspeople. Many consider it a symbol of Reykjavik.

The cathedral in the Danish colonial style was built in 1787 after the catastrophe that destroyed the city of Skalholt - at that time the spiritual and intellectual center of Iceland. In the spring of 1783, an eruption of the Laki volcano began in the southwestern part of the island, which lasted a whole year and was accompanied by strong earthquakes. In Skalholt, only the church was almost unharmed, the city itself ceased to exist, and the bishop had to move his residence to Reykjavik.

The current Reykjavík Cathedral was originally intended to be the parish church. But Skalholt was never reborn after the destruction. At present, only a small village with one church can be seen at that place. And the archbishop had to officially acknowledge his move to Reykjavik in 1796. Thus the parish church in Reykjavík took over the function of the cathedral.

Over the following years, the cathedral was constantly rebuilt. It underwent especially significant changes in 1847. With the help of the latest technologies for that time, the building was enlarged in size.

At the same time, the famous Danish artist and sculptor of Icelandic origin, Bertel Thorvaldsen, sculpted a baptismal font from marble for the renovated Reykjavik Cathedral. This font is now the pearl of the interior decoration of the cathedral.