Translation: Lilja Ragnheiður Einarsdóttir

Brautarholtskirkja in Kjalarnes was built in the year 1857. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in the capital region. The church is in Reynivellir parish and is part of Kjalarnes deanery, wherein Brautarholtskirkja and Saurbæjarkirkja make up Brautarholt parish. The church has been under state preservation since 1990 after it was reconstructed in 1987 and is now practically in its original state. The church is a 30-minute walk from the small neighbourhood of Grundarhverfi. It is therefore the perfect place for a stroll on a Sunday afternoon (Grundarhverfi is part of Reykjavík but is located on the other side of Kollafjörður). Bear in mind, however, that it can be windy in Kjalarnes and therefore it is important to check the weather forecast beforehand. The church is a stately, wooden structure standing tall on a hill, visible from afar. For a fun family excursion one can find pebbled beaches close to the church.

Brautarholtskirkja has a long history and is the successor of a church which was built shortly before the year 900 by the viking settler Örlygur Hrappson at the root of mount Esja. This church was the first church built in Iceland. An outdoor altar now stands at the root of Esja which was consecrated earlier this year. Brautarholtskirkja does not have regular opening hours but its interior can be visited by reaching out to the church supervisor, Björn Jónsson, at this number: 892-3042. It is a pleasure to stand inside the church as it is beautiful but also because the poet Matthías Jochumsson preached there for a time (1867-73). The poetic legacy is palpable in the air of the church and I, for one, got inspired to write a short story upon visiting it half a decade ago. If so inclined, one can attend mass there which is held every three to four weeks by pastor Anna Grétarsdóttir. Announcements about upcoming masses and events in Brautarholtskirkja can be found on the church’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/brautarholtskirkja/.