July 17 – Igaliku

We are off on another walk this morning, to the settlement of Igaliku.  The area is a UNESCO world heritage site and encompasses Norse ruins and four farms that have been around for almost 1000 years.  The farming has changed the local landscape and flora.  The current population of the area is about 25 people.

Our first stop was the Bishop’s Cathedral ruin.  Around 1000 years ago a bishopric was established in Igaliku and a cathedral was built.  All that remains of the cathedral are the foundation stones.  The area was pretty decent size, maybe 20 by 30 plus feet. 

There was a group working nearby on an archaeological dig of some recently discovered graves.

We also spent time wandering around the settlement.  It is primarily the location of one four farms. 

We also stopped the small new Lutheran church that was built in the early part of the last century.  It was built of the local sandstone. 

We opted to not take the afternoon hike.  Was good to sit and relax.

Dinner this evening was a Greenland buffet that featured a haunch of musk ox

and a very nicely displayed large fish (if one is into seeing your food whole).