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Gardar Cathedral

Greenland got its first bishop in 1124. The ruins of the impressive Gardar bishopric and the cathedral can be seen at Igaliku.

ALL ABOUT GREENLAND’S VIKINGS

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

Find out here

Following the introduction of Christianity to Greenland at around the turn of the millennium, the religion became so powerful that a bishop was appointed in 1124, the young clergyman Arnald.

The impressive Episcopal residence, Gardar, was established shortly afterwards in the area known today as Igaliku, close to Narsarsuaq.

The bishop was the country’s biggest landowner, and it was probably bishop Arnald who was responsible for establishing a monastery and convent in South Greenland.

The ruins of the cathedral and the bishop’s palace have been renovated during recent years and today make up an attractive relic of the Viking period in Greenland.

The cathedral itself had dimensions of no less than 27 x 16 metres (88.5 x 52.5 feet), and was thus the biggest of all the churches in Greenland in the Middle Ages.

Today only the top of the foundations of the church and the bishop’s palace can be seen. A full reconstruction of the buildings has not yet been carried out.

Visit south greenland

"The religion became so powerful that a bishop was appointed in 1124."

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
Blue Ice Explorer: Plan your own holiday in Greenland

Blue Ice Explorer

Plan your own holiday in Greenland

Are you dreaming of going to Greenland and would you prefer to plan your own trip?

FROM €24
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
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Kujataa World Heritage

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Hvalsey Church Ruin A rune stone on a hill in Qassiarsuk in South Greenland. By Mads Pihl Erik the Red
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