Hallgrimskirkja

We have now berthed in Reykjavik and it has been raining heavily!

Anyway, never to be defeated, we headed into the centre of Reykjavik to have a wander round, ending up at the famous Hallgrimskirkja Lutheran Church.

Situated on the hilltop Skólavörðuholt near the centre of Reykjavík, the church is one of the city's best-known landmarks and is visible throughout the city. State Architect Gudjon Samuelson’s design of the church was commissioned in 1937. He is said to have designed it to resemble the trap rock mountains and glaciers of Iceland's landscape.

The statue of explorer Leif Erikson (c.970 – c.1020) by Alexander Stirling Calder in front of the church predates its construction. It was a gift from the United States in honor of the 1930 Althing Millennial Festival, commemorating the 1000th anniversary of the convening of Iceland's parliament at Pingveller in 930.

Unfortunately, this continuing poor weather has meant that our trip out tonight to see the Northern Lights has been cancelled. 

Disappointing, but hey, we are very lucky to be here and are certainly more fortunate than many in the world. 

I hope you are having a good day.