Iceland – Reykjavík Sightseeing and Hallgrímskirkja
We spent the first night in a small hotel in the city centre, with the Hallgrímskirkja and Harpa within easy walking distance. After what has become our traditional dinner at Chuck Norris Burger and a short walk through the centre, we got up early in the morning to set off towards the Golden Circle ahead of the usual stream of tourists.
A morning without crowds
The early start paid off: the city was still completely quiet. At 74.5 metres, the Hallgrímskirkja is the largest church in Iceland; its architect is said to have taken his cue from basalt columns. The glass façade of Harpa, the concert hall by the harbour that opened in 2011, also draws on the basalt landscape.
Two posters on the wall: „THE WORLD“ and „ÍSLAND“, made of lettering.An old map of Iceland on a wooden wall in Reykjavík.An open book, with „Lolita“ and „Libri Mutti“ beside it.A window in orange corrugated iron – Reykjavík in colour.A stained-glass window glows in the dark façade of the Hallgrímskirkja.An old engraving shows Reykjavík as it once was.Evening lights, blurred – a short walk through the centre.At the end of the street the Hallgrímskirkja in the blue hour – the city still completely quiet.Hallgrímskirkja with street lamps in the fog.An old house, „BJARG 1920“ above the window and a heart in the pane.A spare wheel on an orange off-road vehicle in Reykjavík.The orange off-road vehicle in a street in Reykjavík.Hallgrímskirkja standing in the blue dusk.Hallgrímskirkja reflected in a puddle, in black and white.Only the reflection of Hallgrímskirkja in the water.The façade like basalt columns – the architect is said to have been inspired by them.A red coat of arms beside the side window.The tower of Hallgrímskirkja from a low angle.Head-on beneath a grey sky: at 74.5 metres the largest church in Iceland.The statue of Leif Eriksson in front of Hallgrímskirkja.Tower blocks and a construction crane in the fog, in black and white.The Sólfar sculpture on the shore at Reykjavík, in the fog.Sólfar in the shape of a Viking ship, the haze lying behind it.The bow of the Sólfar sculpture against a grey sky.The steel arcs of Sólfar, from below against the sky.
