Description of the attraction
Reykjavik Cathedral, which houses the See of the Bishop of the Church of Iceland, is located in the city center. It is considered the main attraction of the capital and is dearly loved and revered by the townspeople. It is considered by many to be the symbol of Reykjavik.
The Danish colonial-style cathedral was built in 1787 after the catastrophe that destroyed the city of Skalholt, then the spiritual and intellectual center of Iceland. In the spring of 1783, an eruption of the Laki volcano began in the southwestern part of the island, which lasted a whole year and was accompanied by strong earthquakes. In Skalholt, only the church was almost not damaged, the city itself ceased to exist, and the bishop had to move his residence to Reykjavik.
The current Reykjavik Cathedral was originally intended as a parish church. But Skalholt did not revive after the destruction. At present, only a small village with one church can be seen in that place. And the archbishop had to officially acknowledge his move to Reykjavik in 1796. Thus, the parish church in Reykjavik assumed the function of the cathedral.
All subsequent years, the cathedral was constantly rebuilt. It underwent especially significant changes in 1847. With the help of the latest technologies for that time, the building was increased in size.
At the same time, the famous Danish artist and sculptor of Icelandic origin Bertel Thorvaldsen sculpted a baptismal font from marble for the renovated Reykjavik Cathedral. This font is now the pearl of the interior decoration of the cathedral.
