Akureyrarkirkja

Akureyrarkirkja, the Akureyri Church, is the building that defines the town's skyline. It stands on a rise above the main street, reached by a long, dramatic flight of steps, and its twin towers and stepped, basalt-column-inspired facade are visible from almost anywhere along the waterfront. The church was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, the architect who shaped much of twentieth-century Icelandic public building, and was consecrated in 1940. Its design echoes the columnar basalt common in Icelandic landscapes, which gives the concrete a surprisingly natural character. Inside, the church is bright and quiet. A large stained-glass window above the altar is one of the highlights, and other windows came from an English cathedral that was damaged in the Second World War, which adds an unexpected link between Akureyri and a bombed city far away. A hanging model ship, a common feature of Icelandic churches that honours seafarers, and a large organ add to the atmosphere. The pews and wooden ceiling give a warm feeling despite the grand exterior.

The climb is part of the experience. A flight of around a hundred steps leads from the street to the entrance, and children and photographers often count them on the way up. The view from the top, across the rooftops, the harbour and the fjord to the mountains on the far side, is one of the best free panoramas in town, and in clear weather it stretches a long way up the fjord. If the steps are a challenge, ask locally about the accessible route, which is available but longer.

The church is a working parish church and is generally open to visitors in the daytime during the main season, with hours that vary and may reduce when services or events are taking place. Entry is typically free, though a small donation is welcome. Concerts and organ recitals are sometimes held, particularly in summer, and these are a lovely way to see the interior in use, so check the local events calendar if you are staying for a few days. Dress modestly and keep voices low as a courtesy.

Where it sits in the town makes it a natural start or end point for a walk. From the church you can stroll down to the pedestrian shopping street, called Hafnarstræti, with its cafes and shops, then continue to the harbour and the Hof Cultural Centre. A short walk the other way leads to the botanical garden, which makes a pleasant loop of an hour or two.

Because Akureyri is compact, the church can be fitted in between a morning tour and a late lunch, and it is a good rainy-day stop since much of the interest is indoors.

Photographers should visit in the soft light of morning or evening, when the facade takes on warm tones, and in winter the church often glows against snow or dark skies, with the northern lights sometimes appearing over the fjord behind it. Look for details such as the carved wooden elements and the way the windows throw colour across the pews on a sunny day. Visitors with limited time can treat the church as a short stop of about half an hour, while those who enjoy architecture and history can easily stay longer, reading the notices about its design and its glass.