Exploring Reykjavik

We started the day early with a visit to Hallgrímur’s Church. Cathy had missed out on our first day in Reykjavik due to Covid. We especially wanted to go up the tower to see the views over Reykjavik.

The plan was then to walk down the hill to the Old Town and on to meet our harpist friend Élisabet at the Harpa Concert Hall.

On the way we:

• Discovered some rather good street art.

• Visited two of Iceland’s national galleries.

Highlights Slideshow

Hallgrímskirkja (Hallgrím’s Church)

Thankfully there was a lift up to the belfry.

Views of Reykjavik

The views from the top of the tower were fantastic. We had great weather with clear skies.

Love the colours.

The Stained Glass Window

The stained glass window was created by the Icelandic artist Leifur Breiðfjörð and was installed in 1986, the same year the church was consecrated.

It is above the entrance to the church but can’t be seen from inside because of the huge organ.

It is not usually open to the public, but we got lucky. Cathy spoke to a handsome young man (he truly looked like a Norse god) who had sold us the tickets to access the tower and who happened to walk past as we were trying to figure out how to see the window.

He told us it’s not open to the public and shared a photo from his phone with us. We asked lots of questions and he was very knowledgeable. I guess he sensed our enthusiasm and decided to take us up a stairway to let us see the window.

It’s such a beautiful window and it’s a shame it’s hidden away.

This is Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614–1674), the best known sacred poet of Iceland and author of the Hymns of Passion. The church is named after him.

Is he looking at an aurora borealis? Or is it just the heavens?

According the church website:

Hallgrímur’s Hymns of the Passion are a series of 50 meditations on the martyrdom of Christ, written in 1656-59. The poems are generally considered to be classic in Icelandic literature.

Verses of the poems have accompanied Icelanders for more than three centuries. They are read on national radio during Lent and in many churches on Good Friday.

Hallgrímur Pétursson (wikipedia)

I recognised many of the things depicted (like the dove representing the Holy Spirit), but I don’t have a clue about these creepy eyes (above and below). Cathy says they are from Revelations (the last chapter of the Bible).

Some Interesting Buildings and a Statue

We saw some pretty buildings along the way.

According to my AI buddy:

The statue is of Ingólfur Arnarson, the first permanent Norse settler of Iceland. It stands on Arnarhóll, a hill in the centre of the city, and is a prominent landmark.

Ingólfur Arnarson is depicted holding a spear, symbolising his role as a leader and a pioneer in the settlement of Iceland. He is sitting on a stylised representation of the prow of a Viking ship.

The statue is designed to symbolise his journey and pioneering spirit as he led the first group of Norse settlers to Iceland.

The statue was created by the sculptor Einar Jónsson and was erected in 1924.

The Harpa Concert Hall

Harpa Concert Hall (wikipedia)

The Icelandic word “Harpa” has multiple meanings:

  • Musical Instrument: In Icelandic, ‘harpa’ translates directly to ‘harp’.

  • Female Name: Harpa is also a common female given name in Iceland. It carries connotations of beauty and musicality, likely derived from the musical instrument.

  • Old Norse Month: In the traditional Old Norse calendar, Harpa refers to the first month of summer, which typically starts in April and ends in May. It signifies the arrival of warmer weather and the beginning of the summer season.

The logo seems totally appropriate.

What a great shade of yellow.

See the statue on the left. Here’s a closer look.

This statue was created by Icelandic sculptor Ólöf Pálsdóttir in 1974. It is a significant piece that honours the importance of music and culture in Iceland.

The building features a distinctive coloured glass facade inspired by the basalt landscape of Iceland.

Élisabet (bottom left) shared this photo with us. She and some of her harp colleagues played at the opening of Harpa. A special work for multiple harps was composed for the occasion.

After a good catch up over coffee, Élisabet showed us around the rear area of Harpa.

I couldn’t resist including an artist flourish.

The ceiling over the main entrance area.

Together again after 40 years.

Stay tuned for more adventures on our European Odyssey!