The Black Church

The tiny black church at Búðir is a minimalist gem, set amidst the sparse volcanic landscape of the Snæfellsnes peninsula in western Iceland. Búðir was originally a trading station and the first church was built in 1703, presumably to keep the merchants in line. It was re-established in 1987 – reputedly for a single local resident – and stands resplendent between the harsh Atlantic and snow-capped peaks. Parishioners are in short supply, but visitors trickle in to admire Scandinavian architecture at its best.