The tall tower of the Hallgrimskirkja can be seen from all over Reykjavik.

The church is not an old one, as becomes clear when you get close to it. Its construction started in 1945 and was only completed in 1986. It was designed by the state architect Guðjón Samúelsson to imitate the basalt lava flows that are so typical of the Icelandic landscape.

The design might be considered controversial as it is not one that appeals to everyone, but I rather liked it. Inside the church is spacious and, unsurprisingly, modern in feel. There is an impressive organ, the biggest in Iceland – 15 metres tall, weighing 25 tons and with 5,275 pipes. It is a recent addition, dating from 1992.