Skálholt

The Good Skálholt located in the south of Iceland in the community Bláskógabyggð. It was before the reformation of the diocese Skálholt (now titular ) and then to the 1801 Protestant Episcopal seat.

Importance of Skálholt

The place consists of a relatively large church, the Skálholtsdómkirkja, the residence of the auxiliary bishop and a small school complex. The place is, despite its small size of remarkable significance for the history of the country, he since the Middle Ages the more important episcopal see of Iceland was but next Hólar (founded in 1056 ). This Skálholt had as a cultural and political center for many centuries similar weight as Þingvellir.

The first Latin school in the country was founded in the late 12th century in Skálholt.

1550, the last Catholic bishop of Iceland, Jón Arason, and his sons were executed here.

1801 the bishop's seat was moved to Reykjavík. Today, here is a Weihbischofssitz.

Church

Dimensions

The Evangelical Lutheran Skálholtsdómkirkja was built from 1956 to 1963. The church has a length of 30 m. Some of his earlier buildings were located in the same place even longer (up to 50 m).

Equipment

The mosaic of the main altarpiece comes from the Icelandic sculptor Nina Tryggvadóttir, the stained glass windows of Gerður Helgadóttir. For the current design of the church, other Scandinavian countries contributed.

Concerts

Every year in the summer there are the Skálholt Festival. It mainly classical concerts are held in the church of international artists.

Sons and daughters of the town

• Finnur Magnússon (1781-1847), archaeologist