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| Qaqortoq | ||
| Commune | Kujalleq | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 3.093 (2018) | |
| height | 16 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Qaqortoq is the fourth largest city of Greenland, it is located in the southwest of the island and is the capital of the Kujalleq municipality. Of the approximately 3,500 inhabitants of the municipality, around 3,100 live in the city, the rest is spread over a number of small villages and farms in the vicinity.
background
The city's Inuit name means the White. The place was founded in 1775 by the Danish fur trader Anders Olsen. At that time it was named in honor of the Danish queen Julianehab.
The old town center is on a stream that runs from Tasersuaq lake comes and flows into a fjord at the port. This is open to the Labrador Sea. The old market square with the main sights of Qaqortoq is located near the port.
In the meantime, the city has expanded to the east and west, and industry has settled near the port. Mention should be made, on the one hand, of the fish industry and, on the other, of the trading company KNI. This includes the energy supplier Polaroil and the retail chain Pilersuisoq. Another important employer is a tannery that processes sealskins, arctic foxes and sheepskins. The products are under Great Greenland also sold abroad.
getting there
By plane
- The nearest airport is around 60 km away at Narsarsuaq. There are regular flight connections to Reykjavík and Copenhagen.
- The 1 Qaqortoq heliport
(IATA: JJU) connects the city with Narsarsuaq Airport.
By boat
- The coastal passenger ship operates in the summer months Sarfak Ittuk once a week along the southwest coast of Greenland and also docks in the port of Qaqortoq. For timetable see website of Arctic Umic Line.
- The 2 The port is a popular destination for cruise ships, but most of them are in the roadstead in front of the port. Sometimes icebergs in the harbor entrance prevent a visit to the city.
mobility
- The center of Qaqortoq can be explored on foot, but the streets are mostly rocky. If it's not summer, you have to expect icy and slippery paths.
- Taxis can usually be found at the port at the landing stage.
Tourist Attractions
In the town center, the sights are concentrated around the old market square. Here are the oldest
- 1 fountain the island.
- 2 Katersugaasivik (museum), Torvevej B 29, 3920 Qaqortoq. Tel.: 299 641 080, Email: [email protected]. The museum is located in the residence of the colonial administrator, built in 1804. The house is the oldest building in the city. Hunting equipment, kayaks and national costumes of the Inuit are on display, and there is a peat hut outside. Furthermore, the polar explorer Knud Rasmussen and the pilot Charles Lindbergh are remembered, who stayed here around 1930.
- 3 The Church of the Redeemer (Frelser Kirke) was delivered as a kit from Norway in 1832. In it you will find a lifebuoy of the ship Hans Hedtoftwhich was considered unsinkable and yet went under in 1959. The church is still used from time to time.
The fish market is also noteworthy (Brættet) and some old commercial buildings. You can also find the police here. In the rest of the city, several houses are decorated with pictures from the life of the Inuit.
- The 4 Gertrud Rask Church was built in 1973. The simple modern building is accessible during the day. Taking photos during services is forbidden by itself. The town hall is next to the church Kujalleq municipality. In between you have a good view of the old part of the village.
- Reliefs on the topic of “Sten og Menneske” (“Stone and Man”). In 1993/1994, several Nordic artists carved more than two dozen reliefs in the granite along the road. The artist, who lives in Qaqortoq, had the idea for this Aka Hoegh.
activities
- Hiking, e.g. around the northern one Tasersuaq Lake
- Tours to the inland ice (Ice cap)
- Kayak tours
- Whale watching
- fishing
Tours: can also be arranged through the tourist information office (Sagaland)
shop
- There are two supermarkets, one 1 near the market square and a 2 next to the postoffice. Mainly goods for everyday use.
- In the tourist information you can find handicrafts in the Greenlandic style. Carved objects are striking. Such a Tupilak consists of walrus bones, reindeer antlers or wood. But whether he has the magic powers ascribed to him outside of Greenland is questionable.
- 5 Great Greenland manufactures high quality fur products in his tannery and skinning shop. You can visit the company via the tourist information office, where you can also purchase simple individual items.
- When a cruise ship is in port, there are also several stalls with regionally made souvenirs at the jetty.
kitchen
- 1 Restaurant and cafe, at the Hotel Qaqortoq. Meat and fish mainly from Greenland production.
nightlife
- 1 Arctic Cafe. Tel.: 299 642 282. Billiards, karaoke. Greenland beer. Weekend live music. Information also about Hotel Qaqortok.Open: Mon-Thu 3 p.m. - midnight, Fri, Sat 10 a.m. - 3 a.m., Sun 12 p.m. - midnight.
accommodation
security
- Police: Tel. 299 642 222
- Fire department: Tel. 299 642 270
Icy spots are to be expected on footpaths even in summer. Otherwise, Qaqortoq is a fairly safe place.
health
- Emergency ambulance: Tel. 299 642 211. 1 hospital
Even in summer the temperatures do not rise too often and too far into the double-digit range, warm clothing is the order of the day.
Practical advice
- 3 Post office. Tel.: 299 642 355. The post office is next to the supermarket. The post office also serves as a mobile phone shop. It is not open all the time. However, you can also get stamps from a machine outside of opening hours.
trips
- To the ruins of the church at Hvalsey (Hvalsø Kirke).
- To the Upernaviarsuk experimental station. Agricultural training center, crop production, sheep breeding.
- Warm springs on the island of Uunartoq
- After Narsaq to the first settlement of Erik the Red
See also South Greenland
