Matkaopas: Grundarkirkja

Located in the fjord of Eyjafjordur in Noth Iceland, Grundarkirkja is one of Iceland‘s most beautiful and distinct churches. It is unusual for an Icelandic church in that its architecture rather resembles a Russian one, particularly its spire.

Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Hansueli Krapf. No edits made.

The best way to visit this area is on a relaxed self drive tour. One of the best options for doing so is this 7-day Arctic Coast Way self drive, available in the summer months.

The church was commissioned by farmer Magnus Sigurdsson and consecrated in 1905. Magnus cut the glass in the church himself. The head smith of the church was Asmundur Bjarnason. The church is indeed the largest of all churches commissioned by farmers in Iceland.

Records mention a church in the area of Grund as early as the 12th century, the age of civil war in Iceland. Chieftain Thordur kakali lived in the area for a while in that time and so did chieftain Sighvatur Sturluson, brother of Snorri. He died in the largest battle in Iceland, Orlygsstadabardagi.

Thorunn, the daughter of Jon Arason, Iceland‘s last Catholic bishop, lived in the area in the 13th century. After her father was beheaded in Skalholt on the command of the Danish Lutheran authorities, her brutal revenge became legendary.

Relics from the church, i.e. a chalice from the 15th century and a chair from the days of Thorunn, can be seen at the National Museum.