History Summarized: Iceland's Hallgrimskirkja

The name is more visually complicated than the church itself.
I tried my best to pronounce all the Icelandic correctly but that LL sound is TRICKY.

SOURCES & Further Reading:
Great Courses lectures “Iceland’s Independence” and “The Capital and Beyond in Southwest Iceland” from “The Great Tours Iceland” by Jennifer Verdolin, “Iceland’s Hallgrimskirkja” from “World’s Greatest Churches” by William R. Cook.
Plus, two visits to Iceland and a lot of time spent staring at the thing.

Partial photo credits for our Icelandic adventure to Cyan and the Greens.

Our content is intended for teenage audiences and up.

[abdoaboueid]

1:51 Red's dedication to not wear sleeves EVEN IN THE SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES is frankly astounding.

[chrisblanchard]

Ah Blue and Architecture. Almost as iconic as Blue and Venice

[solla]

I pass by this bad boy almost everyday when I drive to school and I even have a good view of it from the eating area in one of the buildings. I don't think about it much, I know about the basic facts and I find it beautiful, but it's never fully seeped in, but this video has made me really appreciate this beautiful church of ours.
Thanks Blue. Don't stay from Iceland for too long 💙🤍❤️🤍💙.

[foldabotZ]

Having MCU version of the royal palace of Asgard resemble a golden version of this rather unique church rather than a more standard castle like in comics is actually pretty neat. It certainly makes Valaskjalf more visually impressive and eye-catching.

[erikrinard]

There are two points I think you undersell about Iceland's history that I think really put context to why its architectural history is so divergent from other Nordic countries:
1. Iceland is extremely resource poor. After the first generation or so of Vikings managed to clear-cut the island's forests the only semi-reliable source of wood the country had access to was what drifted to shore. It's a bit hard to build anything much less elaborate landmarks when you barely have enough wood for a hearth, and is also a big part of why fermented food is such a key part of traditional Icelandic cuisine.
2. Iceland's weather is very harsh. Anything you build has to be able to stand up to the cold, and the rain, and the wind of the North Atlantic. Actually, one of the things that I noticed in Reykjavik were all of the older houses that were built to look like they were in a classic 19th century, European style but were made of painted sheet metal instead of wood. It was an interesting fusion between practical material and inherited style.

[David_Fellner]

You actually succeeded in making me _want_ to visit a church. Congratulations, sir.

[spiller]

Speaking as a Dane, it's really nice to see someone actually go into some of the bad stuff we, as a nation, have done through history. Very few people outside of Denmark are all that interested in Danish history, making Danes free to write it themselves... This results less in revision than just plain omission. I actually didn't know all that about Denmarks relation to Iceland. I'd love to see more ^^

[VivaLaDnDLogs]

1:51 Every time I think Red saves all her chaotic energy for videos, we get a taste of her in real life and realize, "Nope, she doesn't *use* chaotic energy, she *is* chaotic energy."

[stevef]

A few years ago one of my best friends went to visit Iceland. I didn’t know anything about it, and I remember her describing black sand beaches, volcanoes, ice floes, green valleys and rivers and I remember thinking, did this girl go to one place or like all of Europe but black out for half of it.

Then I saw the photos and was blown away. It’s on the bucket list now

[swiftlymurmurs]

I can confirm that, despite its size, spartan interior and single-colour stone, stepping inside this one feels warm, inviting, and even cosy!
I've been in plenty of Protestant churches, even some Lutheran ones, and while Dutch ones tend to make up for the starkness with nice woodwork, they're still not all that. They feel empty and cold. Hallgrímskirkja feels like the gold standard of minimalism

[hs_conspiracy]

I went to Iceland around New Years and during a short tour I went on, the tour guide told us that it is basically law that no buildings around can be taller or obstruct the view of this church. No matter where you are in the heart of Reykjavik, you should be able to see it. It really helped me orient myself while walking around so I didn't get lost.

[AlixL]

Of course the most iconic building in Iceland would be based on Basalt Columns. When nature gives you a perfect design, you don't mess with it.

[alecchristiaen]

I love how you fawn over architecture.

I get that a lot of people find military history exciting, but your sheer enthusiasm for man-made rock piles that please the senses is just the greatest.

[gelbug]

When I was there in 2016, I toured the church and I was impressed with how unafraid they were to embrace traditional Icelandic culture and history. There is a giant statue of Leif Erikson out front, which while arguably a huge figure in Icelandic history, most churches would not choose to put a statue of a pagan front and center. As Blue mentioned there are also a lot of distinctly Icelandic or even Norse style embellishments which many churches would also perhaps distance themselves from. It was truly beautiful to see a religious organization embrace culture as a unique aspect of their worship vs the puritanical distancing route taken by many churches. (Edit: Didn't know Leif converted to Christianity, very cool!)

[snella]

Mad respect for pronouncing all the icelandic words that well (i'm icelandic) and love the video

[bobbluered]

When I visited Iceland, I spent over an hour in the chapel just appreciating how lucky I was to be there. What a beautiful space.

[matthewbonner]

“Not finished rendering yet” I love Red. Truly the best of us

[ViSaoGameNayHay]

Hi OSP Red and Blue from Vietnam!

I have been watching your videos for like 3 years now, and I really love them. But I was especially inspired by your 10 year anniversary Detail Diatribe, where you said "if you have an idea, even if you are not completely sure, just give it a shot."

I have thought about that for some time, and so recently I started my own channel on indie game analysis (which is sth I have thought of for many years). I have been enjoying this, and I have you two to thank!

So thank you very much for all the great contents and inspiring me. I wish your team the very best!

(Also yeah I'll get to watching Reboot someday)

[Beryllahawk]

That is a space that a person could die in.
I don't get excited about architecture most of the time (except when I'm listening to Blue bc his enthusiasm and joy is contagious) but THAT is a place that could make anyone have a spiritual experience. I'd even go to Iceland to see that, and I am not much inclined to travel, ever.

[mongoose]

What a coincidence! I just got back to my hotel after visiting hallgrimskirkja. The extreme Icelandic weather is an important part of the church’s appeal in my opinion, as I was almost blown off my feet while walking to the entrance. The inside is a nice respite from the weather, and the sound of the wind outside sounds like you are lost at sea. When we exited there was a rainbow over the statue of Lief Ericsson looking down at the rainbow road. What an unbelievably beautiful country!