Krýsuvíkurkirkja, Church and church ruin in Hafnarfjarðarkaupstaður, Iceland
Krýsuvíkurkirkja is a small wooden church in the Krýsuvík area of southwest Iceland, within the municipality of Hafnarfjarðarkaupstaður. It is a plain building with light-colored wood walls, a simple roof, and small windows, in the style typical of Icelandic rural churches from the 19th century.
A church at Krýsuvík was first recorded in 1203, and the site served as a center of religious life in the area for centuries. The current building dates mainly from 1857 and was fully rebuilt by 2020 after a fire destroyed the previous structure in 2010.
Krýsuvíkurkirkja sits in an open landscape far from any town, which gives it a particular stillness that most visitors notice right away. The church is used today for occasional services and draws people who come to experience the remote character of this part of southwest Iceland.
The church sits along the road through the Krýsuvík area and is easily spotted from the road, making a short stop straightforward. A visit pairs well with a walk in the surrounding landscape, as the area is also known for its geothermal activity nearby.
After the 2010 fire, the church was rebuilt by students and teachers from the Technical School in Hafnarfjörður, rather than by professional contractors. The official re-consecration took place on White Sunday 2022, with the Bishop of Skálholt presiding over the ceremony.
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