Hallgrímur's Church
Was in need of some research today, as part of the Great Fictional World Project, so I took this picture of the really imposing impressive church building and sketched it out on the first page of my new Holbein sketchpaddy. The church itself didn't take too long, but I had the most fun trying to sketch out the flying clouds. Just see for yourself; this thing is like whoa.
At 74.5 metres, The Hallgrímskirkja is the tallest building in Iceland. The church is named after an Icelandic poet and clergyman, Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614 - 1674), who is best known in Iceland for his hymns.
It took 38 years to build the church; construction work began in 1948 and ended in 1986, the landmark tower being completed long before the church's actual completion. Situated in the city centre, it is visible throughout the city and has become one of Reykjavík's best known symbols.
The statue in front of the church represents Leif Eriksson, son of Erik the Red. It is somewhat older than the church itself, being a gift from the United States in occasion of the 1930 Althing Millennial Festival, commemorating the 1000th anniversary of Iceland's parliament.
