Landakotskirkja (Landakot's Church), Reykjavik

Landakot's Church (Landakotskirkja) serves as the principal cathedral for the Catholic Church in Iceland. Situated in the western part of Reykjavík, specifically on the Landakot property, this architectural marvel boasts a unique design characterized by a flat roof rather than the conventional spire. The church's creation is attributed to the talented architect Guðjón Samúelsson, renowned for his work on other iconic structures like Hallgrímskirkja and Akureyrarkirkja in Akureyri.

The history of Landakot's Church traces back to the early 19th century when the first Catholic priests arrived in Iceland after the Reformation. Two Frenchmen, Bernard Bernard and Jean-Baptiste Baudoin, purchased the Landakot farmstead in Reykjavík and established their residence there. In 1864, they erected a modest chapel on the premises. Subsequently, a small wooden church was built near Landakot on Túngata a few years later. As the number of Catholics in Iceland grew following the First World War, there emerged a pressing need for a larger church facility.

To meet this demand, Icelandic Catholics made the decision to construct a Neo-Gothic style church, entrusting the architectural work to Guðjón Samúelsson. Following several years of construction efforts, Landakot's Church was formally consecrated on July 23, 1929. It held the distinction of being the largest church in Iceland during that era. Today, Landakot's Church remains an iconic landmark in western Reykjavík. Furthermore, the only Catholic school in Iceland, Landakot's School (Landakotsskóli), is conveniently located nearby on the same property.