Located in the center of Reykjavík is the largest church in Iceland, Hallgrímskirkja. The church is a Lutheran church and a national monument, named after Iceland’s most renowned religious poet, Hallgrímur Pétursson. 

Hallgrímskirkja stands at the top of Skólavörðustígur street and at the top of the tower is a viewing deck. The view from the observation tower is great from this 73 meter high building, over the entire city and surrounding area.

Building work started in 1945 and took 41 years to build the church. Hallgrímskirkja is designed after the state architect, Guðjón Samúelson who was inspired by the basalt lava columns that can be found in the natural landscape of Iceland.

Hallgrímskirkja is one of the best-known landmark in Reykjavík and can be seen throughout the city. In Front of the church stands the statue of Leif Eiriksson an explorer who is said to be the first European to land in North America. It was a gift from the United States to Iceland in 1930 to mark the 1000th anniversary of Iceland’s parliament.