Hvalsey Church Ruin

Cruise along a pristine fjord to the stone ruins of a 14th-century Norse church, one of the first built on the North American continent. It’s a short walk from the tender pier to the boat you’ll board for your sail across the channel, past Whale Island and along a fjord to the spot where the ruins of Hvalsey Church – once one of the Greenland’s largest, most influential churches – still cling tenaciously to the shoreline. Having endured some 700 harsh sub-Arctic winters, what’s left of Hvalsey remains in remarkable shape. It’s mottled stone walls are nearly intact, rising some 20 feet to where the wooden roofbeams once spanned them. This venerable house of worship was erected all those years ago by Norse settlers from Iceland, attracted to the fertile terrain of South Greenland. People would gather here to attend Christian festivals throughout the year, arriving by ship, horseback and on foot. But the last recorded religious event at Hvalsey Church was a wedding that happened in September 1408, apparently quite well attended. Sometime in the following century, Hvalsey was abandoned and left to fall slowly into disrepair. Your knowledgeable guide will share intriguing historical details and local anecdotes.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Board a local boat for a voyage along Qaqortoq’s shoreline and fjord waters to reach a remote landmark.
• Disembark to survey the ruins of Hvalsey Church, built by Norse settlers seven centuries ago and abandoned by them within 100 years.
• Learn the facts and stories about Hvalsey and this unique South Greenland region from your guide.
• After a time here, reboard your vessel for the scenic sail back to the pier.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear weather-appropriate clothing; include a light jacket or windbreaker.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellant as needed.