Strandarkirkja

Strandarkirkja was built in 1888 and reconsecrated after renovations in 1968 and again in 1996. Many legends exist about the foundation of the first Strandarkirkja in the Middle Ages. Some say that the church was built by Gissur Teitsson, a famous Icelandic chieftain, others say that it was built with wood from the ship of a sailor lost at sea who had promised to donate all his wood for the construction of a church where it would be safely beached.

About this building

Key Features

  • Architecture

Other nearby buildings

Hallgrímskirkja

Hallgrímskirkja is a Lutheran church built in the years 1945-1986 in a Nordic expressionist style. It is one of Iceland's most recognizable landmarks and one of its tallest buildings.

Wikimedia Commons/Bromr

Hvalsneskirkja

Hvalsneskirkja (the church of Hvalsnes) was consecrated in 1887, but a church has been mentioned there since 1200. One of the most important objects in the church is the tombstone of Steinunn Hallgrímsdóttir, who died in 1649. She was the daughter of Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614-1674), one of Iceland's greatest psalmists. Major repairs were carried out in 1945.