Is Iceland on your bucket list? …It is for many people, mostly for the wilderness of it all. It certainly had been on my list for a while and exhilarated my senses. Its capital city of Reykjavik had not really registered to me up until I departed for the trip. I started to hear a little bit more about this northernmost capital city in the world but not that much. It was fortuitous to have that happen, actually, because when the unknown impresses you, it’s actually powerful and magical. It was like the legendary fairies and elves of Iceland sprinkling their fairy dust on us!

Since our hotel was in Reykjavik and one or two of our activities on our itinerary, we were eager to see what this capital was all about. Scandinavian, chic, clean and posh…..the capital city of Iceland was an impressive home base from which to spring from on our way to the geological excursions. Is it a perfect balance or an incongruous structure juxtaposed or reflected between wilderness and urban life and architecture? It depends on the eye of the beholder, perhaps. Maybe it’s both. Personally, I like the upward sloping of excitement that happens between the stunning coast and the climax of the church.

The centerpiece of this cosmopolitan city is the massive Hallgrimskirkja Church cresting on top of the hilly streets. Reportedly, the church is visible for over 12 miles. The foreboding tower emerges celestially to mimic a concrete geyser (also an incorporation of Icelandic geographical phenomena.) We strolled in and out of shops, bakeries, coffeehouses, bookstores and then visited the church.Amidst the flurries of snow, a crowd milled about while we took photos of the Leif Erikson statue and then filed into the church. The austerity of the interior balanced the architectural intricacy of the exterior. A few simple Christmas lights and trees were inside, a  stark statue of Jesus, and a magnificent pipe organ suspended from the ceiling. The background on this church is fascinating. Samuelsson, the architect, designed the church in 1937 based on his inspiration of the textures and shapes that are created when lava cools into basalt. What an appropriate reflection of Icelandic geography. While the construction began in 1945, it was not completed until 1986. Complimenting the entrance to the church is a statue of Leif Erikson who was the first European to discover America some 500 years before Columbus! Apparently, the United States gifted this statue to mark the 1,000th anniversary of the conception of Iceland’s parliament at Pingvellir in 930 A.D.

This Lutheran church is a modern aesthetic of religious art with an exterior that represents the cooling lava that cascades down a volcano. What a visual to combine the intensity of  both spiritual and natural forces. Although the church’s interior is purposely austere, the glorious pipe organ is the brightest beacon to be showcased within this house of worship.Sadly, the architect died before completion as it took 41 years to complete this iconic architectural treasure. To best summarize the Icelandic essence of such an edifice is the story of the bell tower clock. It is said that this most visible clock in the entire capital city often tells the incorrect time due to the gusty wind which can push the hands of the clock off the correct position. It lends to the quizzical, quirkiness and whimsy of this modern landmark. Celebrate it all by taking the elevator to the bell tower to a look out onto stylish and somber Reykjavik. Be it a snowy day like we experienced or a sunny day, it will be your moment at the concrete geyser. photos by Gina Kingsley