Ríp: Farm and Church Site in Hegranes

Ríp is a farm and church site in Hegranes. Rípurkirkja and its artworks give the place a distinctive cultural and historical character. Its building plans, consecration, and furnishings span different periods: from the first designs in the early 20th century to paintings and liturgical objects whose histories go back further. Ríp’s religious past and the landscape of the wider Hegranes area also offer different themes to consider when planning a trip.

Rípurkirkja: Designs and Paintings

Architect and master builder Rögnvaldur Ólafsson drew up the first designs for Rípurkirkja in 1913. The church was consecrated on June 14, 1925. Its relatively tall tower is a distinctive feature of the building, and two bells hang in its bell openings. The sequence of designs and consecration provides a timeline for the church without conflating its planning with its completion.

The altarpieces also add different temporal and thematic accents. The altarpiece on the west wall dates from 1777 and depicts the Last Supper. Another altarpiece was painted by Guðmund Einarsson frá Miðdal in 1927 and depicts the baptism of Jesus Christ. Together, the two works present different Christian subjects: the Last Supper and baptism. Many decades separate them.

The furnishings also include a baptismal font carved from birchwood by Sigurður Jónsson frá Hróarsdal, who donated it to the church. The same artist carved the hymn-number board from birchwood and also donated it to the church. These pieces highlight both craftsmanship and personal gifts; each links a specific name with a particular material and function in the church.

Church Furnishings and Earlier History

The church’s furnishings include various types of objects. These include a silver chalice and paten, as well as three old embroidered altar cloths. Three four-branched candlesticks and six wall lights were purchased abroad. The objects range from liturgical textiles and vessels to lighting. Thus, a visit to Rípurkirkja offers more than a single perspective on its architecture or visual art: craftsmanship, furnishings, and the provenance of the candlesticks are also part of its history.

Ríp’s religious history also includes an earlier connection: the Catholic churches in Ríp were dedicated to the Apostle Andrew. This is distinct from the history of Rípurkirkja, with its first designs dating from 1913 and its consecration in 1925. Ríp’s founding is placed much earlier, probably in Iceland’s settlement period, around 870–930 AD. This is a tentative archaeological interpretation, not a confirmed founding date.

Hegranes as a Landscape Setting

The wider travel area of Hegranes offers a different point of reference from Ríp’s church history. Hegranes is about 15 kilometres long and five kilometres wide, and lies between the branches of the Héraðsvötn before they flow into the sea. The area is hilly, with basalt ridges and steep cliffs. Between the ridges are grassy marshes with small lakes. These landscape features describe Hegranes as a broader regional setting.

The region’s history also extends beyond the individual church site: the quarter assembly of Norðlendingafjórðungur was once held in Hegranes. Together with the landscape, this offers a regional perspective that ranges from the area’s physical features to its historical significance. Ríp itself remains rooted in Hegranes as a farm and church site; this makes it possible to distinguish the local features of Rípurkirkja from those of the wider area.

Choose a Location to Match Your Interests

If you are looking for a holiday rental in Ríp, you can first consider what you would like to focus on when planning your trip. Rípurkirkja offers cultural and historical themes relating to paintings, furnishings, and religious history. Hegranes broadens the perspective to include landscape features and regional history. This distinction can help you choose a location to suit your interests: would you like to focus on Ríp as a church site, or include the wider Hegranes area in your travel plans as well?

Discover more destinations: Lækjamót, Hvammstangi, Hólar, Svínavatn, Miklibær, Skagaströnd, Varmahlíð, Vidhidalstunga

See the wider travel guide: Northwest Iceland.