Hallgrímskirkja

It took thirty-eight years to complete the Hallgrímskirkja church, whose 244-foot tower is visible across Reykjavík. A prime example of Expressionist architecture, the church was inspired by the basalt columns found at such waterfalls as Svartifoss in Skaftafell National Park. The church’s wings start low, then rise dramatically to shape the central high tower. The interior of this Lutheran church is unadorned and luminous. The statue out front is of Norse explorer Leif Eriksson, and a plaque declares that he was the first European to set foot in America.