Hallgrímskirkja (Church of Hallgrimur) and Stjornarrad (Cabinet House) in Reykjavik, Iceland

On December 1, 2020December 1, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn IcelandLeave a comment

When visiting Iceland, the highlight for most people is the natural beauty of the island nation. From the Golden Circle, Ring Road, and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, there are some pretty amazing sights to be seen. But we also enjoyed our time in Reykjavik as well with its charming architecture and wonderful restaurants. Among the things that should be seen when spending time in Iceland are the Hallgrímskirkja, which is the church that looms high on a hill above the city, and the Cabinet House (Stjornarrad). The church has an observation tower that provides incredible views of the city, but we were there in winter and it was too cloudy to take advantage of the views.

There is a statue of Leif Erikson, the famous Icelandic explorer, located in front of Hallgrímskirkja that was a gift from the United States. The statue actually predates the church and was erected in 1930 to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the first meeting of Iceland’s parliament. Construction of the church began in 1945 and took 41 years to complete in 1986. The design of the church is meant to represent the mountains and glaciers that can be found in the landscape of Iceland. The most prominent feature within the church, other than it’s high arching ceiling, is the large pipe organ that was added in 1992.

The history of the Cabinet House is quite interesting. The original intent of the building was to house homeless people and to find work for them. Instead, the Danish government that ruled Iceland until 1904 turned the house into a prison, which it was until 1816. After 1904, when Iceland was granted home rule, the house started to serve as the home of the government ministers. Today it still houses the offices of Iceland’s Prime Minister. In front of the Cabinet House is a statue of the Danish king, Christian IX, who was in rule in 1874 when Iceland celebrated a millennium of people occupying the island.

View of the Church with the Statue of Leif Erikson

Statue of Hannes Hafstein, the First Minister of Iceland in 1904

Visiting Iceland is definitely one of the most interesting trips that we have taken over the years. The people were extremely friendly and the scenery was absolutely amazing. We certainly recommend spending some time in Reykjavik in addition to seeing all of the natural beauty that the country has to offer.

Petite France (Quartier des Tanneurs) in the City of Strasbourg

On November 17, 2020November 17, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn France5 Comments

When visiting Strasbourg in France, one of the highlights will certainly be walking the streets of Petite France, which is the historic quarter of the city. The medieval buildings with their timbered exteriors will truly make you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. You should definitely expect large crowds as you make your way through the streets, but there are plenty of shops and restaurants to visit as you wonder through the district.

Street Leading Into Petite France in Strasbourg

Medieval Architecture and Narrow Streets

In addition to the beautiful architecture, there are several canals that meander through the quarter with stone bridges across them. There are also several companies that offer river boat sightseeing tours that are well worth doing. We visited during the holiday season, so the stores were adorned with extra decorations to celebrate the season. It also meant that there were Christmas markets in the area with gluhwein, sausages, and sweet treats. Although Strasbourg borders Germany and has been influenced by both France and Germany, they are truly Alsace and proud to be so.

We enjoyed seeing other medieval towns in the area, including Eguisheim and Riquewihr, but even if you don’t get out into the countryside, walking through Petite France in Strasbourg is an amazing experience. We were in Strasbourg for several days and enjoyed walking through the historic district several different times, each providing a unique surprise as we turned down a different side street.

The Statues of Budapest’s Castle District

On November 16, 2020November 16, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn HungaryLeave a comment

Walking around the Castle District that sits high on the hill of the Buda portion of Budapest is certainly a wonderful experience. In addition the Royal Palace, Matthias Church, and Fisherman’s Bastion, you will see a variety of statues as you walk around the area. From popes to kings, there are many different statues on the grounds. Some of the more interesting statues aren’t necessarily dedicated to any particular individual.

There are statues of people riding horses including those of St. Stephen, Prince Eugene of Savoy, Andras Hadik, and Gorgey Artur. One of the more interesting is actually a fountain that is on the side of the palace of King Matthias and his hunting party. The Holy Trinity Column outside of Matthias Church is probably the most recognizable with all of the different features.

Historian that is Part of King Matthias’ Hunting Party

There is also a statue of Pope Innocent XI and the Memorial of Buda Castle Recovery. The gate leading into the palace courtyard is adorned with a variety of statues. It wouldn’t be a palace without a statue of a lion guarding the entrance. All of the statues located throughout the castle district simply adds to the historic feel of the area.