The board of the Vesturbær Residents’ Association in the
western part of Reykjavík has written a letter to the planning board of
the City of Reykjavík, encouraging it to find an alternative lot for the
new Russian Orthodox Church planned for Mýrargata.
The proposed building on Mýrargata. Photo: orthodox.is.
The association argues that that the 1,000-square-meter (3,300-square-feet) building, which will be 22 meters (72 feet) tall, in addition to a cross, will be too large for the neighborhood and its style at odds with the surrounding buildings. Also, the association worries that parking will prove problem, visir.is reports.
The residents’ association states that the religious association is prepared to relocate the church, provided city authorities allocate a new lot for the building and compensate the association for the cost that has been invested in its design on Mýrargata.
However, a number of people, 53, have signed a letter supporting the church’s construction on Mýrargata.
“I believe that the church, which will be located close to the sea and decorated with medieval Scandinavian ornaments and carvings, will become the city’s pride and in line with old Icelandic traditions,” the letter reads.
The matter was discussed at the planning board’s meeting yesterday but a decision has yet to be made.
Last month, the Muslim Association of Iceland was allocated a lot for building a mosque on Sogamýri in the center of the capital. The decision was met with loud protest but also considerable support from Reykjavík residents.
Two other religious associations, Ásatrúarfélagið, honoring the Norse gods, and the Buddhist Association of Iceland, have been allocated lots for their houses of prayer by city authorities in recent years.
The association argues that that the 1,000-square-meter (3,300-square-feet) building, which will be 22 meters (72 feet) tall, in addition to a cross, will be too large for the neighborhood and its style at odds with the surrounding buildings. Also, the association worries that parking will prove problem, visir.is reports.
The residents’ association states that the religious association is prepared to relocate the church, provided city authorities allocate a new lot for the building and compensate the association for the cost that has been invested in its design on Mýrargata.
However, a number of people, 53, have signed a letter supporting the church’s construction on Mýrargata.
“I believe that the church, which will be located close to the sea and decorated with medieval Scandinavian ornaments and carvings, will become the city’s pride and in line with old Icelandic traditions,” the letter reads.
The matter was discussed at the planning board’s meeting yesterday but a decision has yet to be made.
Last month, the Muslim Association of Iceland was allocated a lot for building a mosque on Sogamýri in the center of the capital. The decision was met with loud protest but also considerable support from Reykjavík residents.
Two other religious associations, Ásatrúarfélagið, honoring the Norse gods, and the Buddhist Association of Iceland, have been allocated lots for their houses of prayer by city authorities in recent years.
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