History of Ilulissat

The history of this amazing place is rooted in deep antiquity, long before the modern name appeared on maps.

Foundation and First Mentions

The official founding date of the city is considered to be 1741, when the Danish merchant Jacob Severin established a trading post here, naming it Jakobshavn ("Jacob's Harbour"). However, Ilulissat is located in an area that has been inhabited by people for millennia. Just a couple of kilometres from the modern centre lay the ancient settlement of Sermermiut, where various Inuit cultures succeeded one another for over 4,000 years.

Key Factors of Development

The development of the settlement was defined by its unique geographical position on the west coast of Greenland. The following factors played an important role in the city's formation:

• Geography and Climate: Its location at the mouth of the famous ice fjord created a special ecosystem that attracted both people and marine animals.
• Fishing Resources: The waters of Disko Bay abounded with halibut, shrimp, seals, and whales, providing residents with food and goods for trade.
• Strategic Trade: Jakobshavn quickly became an important logistics hub for the Royal Greenland Trading Department.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of the early period was built entirely on traditional hunting and whaling. Local hunters harvested marine animals, trading skins and blubber for European tools and products. The cultural landscape was formed at the intersection of Inuit traditions and the influence of Danish colonists and missionaries. Notably, the famous polar explorer Knud Rasmussen was born in this city; his work significantly influenced the study and preservation of the culture of Arctic indigenous peoples.

Timeline of Events

The main stages of the city's development, from ancient settlements to its status as a world tourism centre, can be traced through the following key dates:

• Around 2400 BC — The first seasonal camps of the Saqqaq culture appear in the Sermermiut valley, bordering the modern city.
• 1741 — Danish merchant Jacob Severin founds the Jakobshavn trading post, which is today known as Ilulissat.
• 1783 — The Church of Zion (Zions Kirke) is consecrated, remaining for a long time the largest wooden structure in Greenland.
• 1850 — The residents of the ancient settlement of Sermermiut finally leave their dwellings and move to the growing Jakobshavn.
• 1879 — Knud Rasmussen, the future famous polar explorer and ethnographer, is born into the family of a local pastor.
• 1923 — Construction of the old city hospital is completed, marking an important stage in the development of the region's social sector.
• 1979 — To mark the centenary of Knud Rasmussen's birth, a city museum opens in his childhood home.
• 1983 — Commissioning of Ilulissat Airport, opening new opportunities for transport connections and tourism.
• 2004 — The Ilulissat Icefjord is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list as a unique natural phenomenon.
• 2021 — Opening of the modern Icefjord Centre, designed to tell guests about the history of ice, local culture, and climate change.

Stages of Formation and Development

The evolution of the city of Ilulissat is the story of a transformation from a seasonal hunters' camp into a modern Arctic centre. The settlement's development was non-linear, subject to changing economic eras and the world's growing attention to the unique nature of Greenland.

The Era of the Trading Post

The first significant stage is associated with the transition from a traditional lifestyle to settlement and trade. The founding of the Jakobshavn post launched the process of integrating local communities into the European economic system. The city began to form around the harbour and the mission: the construction of capital buildings, such as the Church of Zion, symbolised the transformation of the settlement into a permanent administrative and spiritual centre of the region, becoming a focal point for residents of surrounding camps.

Industrialisation of Fishing

In the 20th century, the vector of development shifted towards the industrial exploitation of marine wealth. Traditional hunting for marine mammals gave way to large-scale commercial fishing for halibut and shrimp. The appearance of processing plants and a mechanised fleet radically transformed the economy, making the city the "fish capital" of Disko Bay. This period was characterised by active population growth and the development of port infrastructure oriented towards exports.

Emergence as a Tourism Centre

The city's recent history has been marked by an exit from isolation and international recognition. The radical improvement in transport accessibility following the construction of the runway opened the region to travellers from all over the world. The designation of the ice fjord as a UNESCO World Heritage site became a catalyst for creating modern hospitality infrastructure. Today, the city combines the functions of an economic hub and a global climate laboratory, symbolised by the opening of the innovative Icefjord Centre.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Environment

The architecture of Ilulissat presents a picturesque mosaic, where multi-coloured wooden houses contrast with the severe grey granite of the rocks and the whiteness of the icebergs. Urban planning here is subject to the complex terrain: buildings seem to climb the hills, opening up views of Disko Bay. Several key stages reflecting the history of the development of Greenland can be distinguished in the city's appearance.

Colonial Style and Danish Classicism (18th–19th Centuries)

The historical core of the city is formed by buildings from the era of Danish colonisation. These are predominantly wooden frame structures, materials for which were often brought from Europe as ready-made kits.

• Colour Code: A characteristic feature of this period is the colour coding of buildings, which has been preserved to this day. Red houses belonged to trade and the church, yellow to medical institutions, green to the administration, and blue to fishing enterprises.
• Landmark Building: The main monument of this era is the Church of Zion (Zions Kirke). Built in the late 18th century, it represents an example of wooden architecture with elements of Northern Baroque. The massive building made of dark logs dominated the low-rise development for a long time.

Scandinavian Functionalism (20th Century)

From the mid-20th century, during the period of modernisation and industrialisation, the city began to expand. Small private houses were replaced by multi-apartment residential blocks, executed in the style of Scandinavian functionalism. These buildings, though inferior in aesthetics to the old cottages, solved the housing problem for the growing population.

During this period, the port zone developed actively. Industrial buildings, warehouses, and fish processing factories were built with an emphasis on utility and the durability necessary in Arctic conditions.

Modern Organic Architecture (21st Century)

The newest stage of urban development marks a departure from purely utilitarian forms towards architecture that harmonises with the unique landscape. Modern projects take ecological standards into account and visually integrate into nature.

The brightest example of postmodernism and organic architecture is the Ilulissat Icefjord Centre. Designed by the Dorte Mandrup studio, the building has the shape of a twisted boomerang or wing, flowing smoothly into the rocky terrain. Its roof serves as a public observation deck that one can walk on, symbolising the openness of the space and the connection between humans and nature.

Distinguished Personalities

The history of the city is inextricably linked with the names of people whose activities influenced not only the development of the region but also world science and culture. Here is a list of key figures who left their mark on the annals of Ilulissat.

• Jacob Severin (1691–1753)
  City founder, merchant
  A Danish merchant who received a monopoly on trade in Greenland. In 1741, he founded the Jakobshavn trading post, which today bears the name Ilulissat. His activities laid the economic foundation of the settlement.

• Knud Rasmussen (1879–1933)
  Polar explorer, ethnographer
  The city's most famous native, often called the "Father of Eskimology". The son of a local pastor, he organised seven "Thule" expeditions, collecting unique data on the culture and mythology of the Inuit. The house where he was born has now been turned into a memorial museum.

• Jørgen Brønlund (1877–1907)
  Polar traveller, educator
  A native Greenlander and childhood friend of Rasmussen. He was an indispensable participant in Arctic expeditions thanks to his skills as a dog sled driver and interpreter. He died tragically during the Denmark Expedition to the northeast of Greenland, preserving valuable cartographic materials until the very end.

• Mathias Storch (1883–1957)
  Priest, writer
  A prominent public figure who served as a provost in Ilulissat. He authored the first novel in history written in the Greenlandic language ("A Greenlander's Dream", 1914). He actively campaigned for the expansion of indigenous rights and education reform.

• Jens Rosing (1925–2008)
  Artist, writer, museum director
  A native of Ilulissat who made a huge contribution to the visual culture of the country. It was he who designed the official Coat of Arms of Greenland depicting a polar bear. He is also known as the initiator of the creation of the National Museum and Archives in Nuuk.