Stykkishólmur Church: The Modernist White Whale Above the Harbour Town

A Modernist Landmark on the Hill

Stykkishólmskirkja was consecrated in 1990, designed by architect Jón Haraldsson in a distinctly modernist style that breaks sharply from Iceland’s traditional timber and corrugated-iron churches. Set on a small hill above the harbour, its white form is visible from most points in town and from boats approaching Breiðafjörður. The building’s twin curved towers and sweeping walls have earned it comparisons to a whale, whale ribs, or a ship’s hull — fitting imagery for a fishing and ferry town that has long looked to the bay for its living.

Design and Interior

The church’s poured-concrete form favors bold curves over straight lines, with the exterior walls flaring outward like bone or sail. Inside, the mood shifts to something quieter: a modest, light-filled hall dominated by an arrangement of small hanging lights suspended from the ceiling, and an altar painting by Icelandic artist Kristín Gunnlaugsdóttir depicting the Madonna and child. A 22-stop Klais organ, built in Bonn, Germany, and installed in 2012, anchors the west end of the nave.

Acoustics and Summer Concerts

Architects and musicians alike single out the church for its acoustics — the tall, curved concrete surfaces give voices and instruments unusual clarity and resonance. The Friends of the Arts Society in Stykkishólmur organizes a summer recital series here, drawing on the organ and the room’s sound to host choirs, organists, and chamber musicians. Concerts typically run through the summer months; check locally for the current season’s schedule, since dates vary year to year.

• Getting there: about a 5-minute walk uphill from the harbour and old town center
• Cost: free to enter when the church is open to visitors
• Duration: 15–20 minutes for a look inside; longer if a concert is on
• Best light: late afternoon, when the sun catches the white concrete from the west
• What to check: opening hours and concert dates locally, as both can vary seasonally

Where to Stay

The Stykkishólmur Inn sits in the walkable old town, close enough that guests can walk up to the church, take in the harbour view from its hillside, and be back in time for dinner without needing a car. Book direct on Ourhotels.is for the best rate.

Photo: Kasa Fue via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.