• Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Events
Visit Greenland
  • Home
  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
    • All destinations
    • North Greenland
    • Disko Bay
    • Destination Arctic Circle
    • Capital Region
    • South Greenland
    • East Greenland
    • The National Park
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Articles
  • Events
  • Cruise
  • Practical Questions
  • Package tours & providers
  • Your Local Travel Agency
  • Contact
  • Search

Hvalsey Church Ruin

Hvalsey Church was built in about 1300, and its ruins can be found in the lush surroundings of southern Greenland.

The fertile region of South Greenland is home to the well-preserved ruins of one of the first Christian churches on the North American continent – Hvalsey Church.

Long before Columbus ever had the idea of sailing west to try to find a shorter route to India, the Norse settlers from Scandinavia had established themselves in Greenland.

The fertile South Greenlandic fjords had attracted Norse settlers from Iceland and many estates and farms had been established in the new country.

ALL ABOUT GREENLAND’S VIKINGS

What was life like when Leif Eriksson and Freydís Eiríksdóttir lived in South Greenland?

Find out here

HVALSEY CHURCH – MORE THAN A THOUSAND YEARS OLD

Christianity was spreading its influence throughout Europe and was established in the outer frontier in Greenland in 1000 AD. The first churches were erected soon after this.

Hvalsey Church was probably built in the 14th century but is the best preserved of the churches in Greenland from that period.

"Long before Columbus ever had the idea of sailing west to try to find a shorter route to India, the Norse settlers from Scandinavia had established themselves in Greenland."

Package Tours

Blue Ice Explorer: South Greenland – Short and Intensive

Blue Ice Explorer

South Greenland - Short and Intensive

Experience Greenland on a getaway from Iceland. Wonderful day-hikes with easy access to South Greenland's blue icebergs and history.

FROM €659
Blue Ice Explorer – South Greenland 5 days – active

Blue Ice Explorer

South Greenland 5 days – active

A 5-day getaway from Iceland for the active traveller with hiking around Igaliku, Qassiarsuk and Narsarsuaq.

FROM €541
Greenland Tours: Coastal Ship – South & West

Greenland Tours

Coastal Ship - South & West

13 days in the south & west of Greenland incl. 5 days on board Sarfaq Ittuk

FROM €1,385
Greenland Travel: Summer impressions in Greenland

Greenland Travel

Summer impressions in Greenland

Greenland’s most popular sites: the Greenland Ice Sheet at Kangerlussuaq, the capital of Nuuk and, the world-famous Ilulissat Ice Fjord.

From €3,625
Show More

Kujataa World Heritage

Download App (iOS only)

5-6 METRE HIGH STONEWALLS

When you walk into the very well preserved church ruins, you can clearly feel the presence of history.

It’s almost as if the Norse settlers had only just left the building. Of course, the wooden roof and the interior are no longer present, but otherwise the church appears very much as it did when it was abandoned in the 15th century, with stone walls towering up to a height of 5-6 metres.

Today nothing is left of the churchyard that surrounded the church, although the stone wall that enclosed the churchyard can still be made out in the terrain.

AN IMPORTANT GATHERING POINT

The sheep graze close by, nibbling the grass and the tender green shoots, a raven flies past and lets out a hoarse screech, but, other than this, a visitor arriving at this historic spot is met by a silence that is almost deafening. The fells and the fjord which surround the church have not changed at all over the centuries.

People gathered here from far and wide to attend Christian festivals throughout the year. The ships of the Norse settlers were anchored side by side on the fjord, whilst other people arrived overland on horseback or on foot. Immediately west of the church there are ruins of a large residential complex with stables and a banquet hall for the many visitors.

LAST DEPOSITION FROM 1408

The last recorded ecclesiastical event at Hvalsey Church was a wedding which took place on 16 September, 1408. An account of this event was recorded a couple of years later on Iceland.

This record reveals that there were many people in the church that day, which is an indication that there were still many Norse settlers at that time. On the fjord the Old Norse ships have been replaced by the modern motorboat, which sails present-day visitors to the church.

SCATTERED RUINS

In South Greenland there are many ruins from this period and if you would like to visit this fascinating location in Greenland, the tourist office in Qaqortoq – Greenland Sagalands – will help you with more information.

In Narsarsuaq the local tourist office and tour operator is Blue Ice Explorer. In Narsaq the local tourist office will be glad to help with information, tours etc.

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

  • Anything
  • Anytime
  • Anywhere
  • Cultural Experiences
  • Norse History
  • Qaqortoq
  • South Greenland
  • Summer
  • Vikings
  • Winter

By Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island

https://visitgreenland.com

Editors' pick

Walk on path along coastline of Nuuk. Photo - Peter Lindstrom, Visit Greenland

Greenland’s modern path to independence

Many people ask if Greenland is considered a country. Others question, Why does Denmark own Greenland? Read on to get a snapshot of Greenland’s political status and the historical background of Greenland’s road to independence.

  • #Anytime
  • #Capital Region
  • #East Greenland
  • #Expeditions
  • #History
  • #North Greenland
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #The National Park
  • #Things to do & About
Whale Art by Aka Høegh, Qaqortoq. Photo - Peter Lindstrom, Visit Greenland

The Greenlandic hunting culture and the Bowhead Whale – a portrait

The Bowhead Whale can boast not only of its appearance in Season 4 of Borgen, but also of its status as the world's most padded baleen whale, and its history of coming close to extinction.

  • #All destinations
  • #Anytime
  • #Anywhere
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Hunting
  • #Inuit Culture
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Whale Watching
Nukissiorfiit worker is moving ice with poclain in Qaanaaq. Photo by Aningaaq R Carlsen - Visit Greenland

When ice becomes (drinking) water: Greenland’s energy heroes

Employees of Greenland's utility company, Nukissiorfiit, work every day to ensure that residents across the country have access to vital energy, water and heat.

  • #Anytime
  • #Icebergs
  • #Ilulissat
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #North Greenland
  • #Providers
  • #Public Facilities
  • #Qaanaaq
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Uummannaq
Muskox under the sun in Jameson Land. Photo by Bo Normander

Musk oxen and sandstone mountains in Jameson Land

A hike in the northeastern Greenlandic wilderness in Jameson Land offers incredible mountain landscapes and intimate experiences with the large musk oxen that dig into the local vegetation.

  • #Camping
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #East Greenland
  • #Fauna
  • #Flora
  • #Hiking
  • #Natural Expereinces
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Summer
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
More related articles

Keep Exploring

Things to Do

Browse culture and nature (outdoor, hunting, fishing, cruises) related activities, as well as combination of both types.

Plan your trip

Read about practical information on how to get to Greenland, how to get around, when to travel or where to stay.

Destinations

Explore the regions and towns around Greenland and dig deeper into the experiences in each destination.

About Greenland

All about art, music, history, as well as animals, climate change and other interesting information about Greenland.

Visit Greenland

About Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island.
The VisitGreenland.com website is created by Visit Greenland and Kathart Interactive.
The Privacy Policy for Visit Greenland

Frequently Visited Pages

  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Nature & Climate
  • When to go
  • Greenlandic Culture
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Other Websites By Visit Greenland:

  • Travel Trade
  • Cruise Call List
  • Media Database

Newsletter

Receive inspiring stories, travel deals and news from Greenland via email.

SIGN UP HERE

GREENLAND – contact us:

Mon. - Fri: 8 am - 4 pm

Visit Greenland
Hans Egedesvej 29
P.O. Box 1615
3900 Nuuk
Greenland

Direct phone Greenland:
(+299) 34 28 21

info@visitgreenland.com

DENMARK – Contact us:

Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 4 pm

Visit Greenland
Strandgade 91
1401 Copenhagen
Denmark

Direct phone Denmark:
(+45) 32 83 38 80

info@visitgreenland.com
Leif Eriksson The axe of Leif Erikson - the statue overlooking Qassiarsuk in South Greenland, by Mads Pihl Gardar Cathedral
Scroll to top