First published: 10/10/24.

Thomas Buechler 3.0

Kujataa

Kujataa (Inscribed)

Kujataa by Solivagant

Erik the Red who came all the way from Iceland to the Southwest Greenlandic fjords to find greener pastures, and must have found in here in Bratthlid (Qassiarsuk), so he called the lands Greenland in a good marketing move for other Viking farmers to follow him. In the year 985, it became the first Norse farm here.  His son, Leif the Lucky, discovered the North American shores from here in the years to come. Also the "law speaker" resided here in Bratthlid. The archaeological area can be freely visited, and it takes a couple of hours to see the remains of farm houses, storehouses, and a small turf and wood church what is believed to be the remains of Thjodhild's (wife of Erik the Red) original church mentioned in the Icelandic Saga. It was only in 1126 that the Greenlandic Norse were given their own bishop, but he resided in Gardar in the Eastern Settlements. Present day the village is called Igaliku. His church was cross shaped, and even had a bell tower. All bishops were foreigners, and the last bishop who resided at Gardar has died in 1378. It is possible to rent boats between Bratthlid and Igaliku (or a place on the Tunulliarfik Fjord, then on foot). But during our time here, it was impossible due to strong winds and lots of icebergs on the fjord). We were lucky and it was not clear up to the last minute that we could cross from Narsarsuaq (location of airport with flights to Nuuk, and in summer charter flights to Copenhagen) to Qassiarsuk where we stayed at Leif Eriksson Hostel that is run by an energetic crew of volunteers from Mallorca and offers bed&breakfast&dinner at 90 € pP. Seasonal opening only, in fact we were one of the last guests, they close by the end of September.  The flight to Nuuk does not happen every day, so plan well ahead, and leave some open days in case it is cancelled at short notice due to bad weather. Flights in Greenland are expensive, but still cheaper than the luxury cruise ships. 

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