Akureyrarkirkja

The Church of Akureyri or Akureyrarkirkja is among the prominent churches in the northern region of Iceland, which was completed in 1940. The church located in the centre of the second-largest city of Iceland, Akureyri, which is 387 km from the capital city, was designed by the highly-acclaimed architect, Guðjón Samúelsson, who is also hailed for designing the iconic Reykjavik Church or Hallgrimskrikja. 

The Church of Akureyri or Akureyrarkirkja is among the prominent churches in the northern region of Iceland, which was completed in 1940. The church located in the centre of the second-largest city of Iceland, Akureyri, which is 387 km from the capital city, was designed by the highly-acclaimed architect, Guðjón Samúelsson, who is also hailed for designing the iconic Reykjavik Church or Hallgrimskrikja.

The Lutheran church, which houses a huge 3200-pipe organ, is a collective effort of several talented individuals, including sculptor Asmundur Sveinsson, who designed the bas-reliefs on the nave balcony; sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen who worked on the baptismal font; Danish artist Edvard Lehmann who designed the altarpiece, dating back to 1863; J Wippel & Co of Britain who worked on the beautiful windows; Florentine sculptor Corrado Vigni who crafted the Italian white marble baptismal font and Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen whose designed the angel baptismal font. The magnificent stained glass window above the altar is said to be from a part of a set from Coventry Cathedral, England. 

An interesting and unusual aspect of the church is a large ship, hanging from the ceiling, which portrays an ancient Nordic tradition. Akureyrarkirkja is a city landmark with a rather unusual church design, which sits pretty on a hill and allows visitors during specified time. Certainly among the must-visit places in Akureyri!

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