Hallgrímskirkja church is able to pay for all maintenance and upkeep, and still have some left over, thanks to elevator fees paid by tourists taking advantage of the view from the top of the church tower. According to a report from the State Auditor's office the church's revenues were 66 million ISK higher than its expenses. The primary reason were 271 million ISK in revenue from elevator fees.
The tower offers one of the best places in Reykjavík for broad views of the city and surrounding bays, islands and nearby mountains.
Welcome tourism windfall comes at a cost
In recent years elevator fees have become crucial for the church, paying for maintenance and repairs of the church. The local news site Vísir reports that In 2016 elevator fees represented 87.5% of the other revenue. In 2016 the church tower was visited by 264,716 people. Last year at least 271,000 people took the elevator to the top of the tower.
The tourism windfall has come at a cost, however. In 2016 the church had to shutter offices and meeting rooms in the tower, as these were no longer accessible due to the tower elevator being in constant use by tourists.
Read more: Offices in Hallgrímskirkja church tower abandoned because the elevator is busy carrying visitors
Hallgrímskirkja church is able to pay for all maintenance and upkeep, and still have some left over, thanks to elevator fees paid by tourists taking advantage of the view from the top of the church tower. According to a report from the State Auditor's office the church's revenues were 66 million ISK higher than its expenses. The primary reason were 271 million ISK in revenue from elevator fees.
The tower offers one of the best places in Reykjavík for broad views of the city and surrounding bays, islands and nearby mountains.
Welcome tourism windfall comes at a cost
In recent years elevator fees have become crucial for the church, paying for maintenance and repairs of the church. The local news site Vísir reports that In 2016 elevator fees represented 87.5% of the other revenue. In 2016 the church tower was visited by 264,716 people. Last year at least 271,000 people took the elevator to the top of the tower.
The tourism windfall has come at a cost, however. In 2016 the church had to shutter offices and meeting rooms in the tower, as these were no longer accessible due to the tower elevator being in constant use by tourists.
Read more: Offices in Hallgrímskirkja church tower abandoned because the elevator is busy carrying visitors
