History of Nuuk

Foundation and First Mentions

The official founding date of the city is considered to be 1728, when the Dano-Norwegian missionary Hans Egede moved his colony from Kangeq Island to the mainland. The new settlement was given the Danish name Godthåb, which translates as "Good Hope". However, this area was inhabited long before the arrival of Europeans: archaeological data confirms that the territory occupied by Nuuk today has hosted settlements of ancient Eskimo cultures for millennia, attracted by the convenient access to the sea.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of a modest mission into the island's main city was predetermined by a combination of geographical and geopolitical reasons:

• Geography and Navigation: The city is located at the mouth of one of the world's largest fjord systems. A key advantage was the water area that does not freeze in winter, allowing ships to enter the port all year round — a rarity for Arctic latitudes.
• Administrative Status: The settlement almost immediately became the centre of the Danish colonial administration of South Greenland and a bridgehead for missionary activity, which ensured a constant influx of resources and people.
• Trade: The placement of Royal Greenland Trading Department factories here secured the city's role as an economic hub, where goods from all over the coast converged.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

From the very beginning, the history of the city was built on the interaction of two worlds. The economy of the early period was based on traditional hunting of marine mammals (seals, walruses, whales), engaged in by the indigenous inhabitants, and the exchange of the catch for European goods.

The cultural landscape was formed under the strong influence of religion. In addition to the official Danish church, the Moravian Brethren mission (New Herrnhut) was established here in 1733. This created a unique environment where Greenland began to absorb European educational and musical traditions, fusing them with local heritage.

Ancient History and First Settlements

• Around 2200 BC — The first people appear in the area of modern Nuuk — Paleo-Eskimos of the Saqqaq culture.
• Until 1000 AD — The territory is occupied by representatives of the Dorset culture, who disappear from this region before the beginning of the second millennium.
• Beginning of the 13th century — Ancestors of modern Greenlanders, carriers of the Thule culture, begin to arrive on the island.

Colonial Period and City Foundation

• 1728 — Dano-Norwegian missionary Hans Egede founds the settlement of Godthåb ("Good Hope"), which would subsequently become Nuuk.
• 1747 — Moravian missionaries establish the New Herrnhut mission, which became the core for the city's further growth.
• 1849 — Construction and consecration of Nuuk Cathedral, also known as the Church of Our Saviour, is completed, becoming an important religious centre.
• 1950s — As part of a centralisation policy, Denmark begins relocating residents from small settlements to Nuuk, leading to rapid city growth and the construction of apartment blocks.

Modern History and Autonomy

• 1 May 1979 — Greenland is granted Home Rule, and the city is officially renamed from Godthåb to Nuuk, which means "the cape" in Greenlandic.
• 1987 — The University of Greenland (Ilisimatusarfik) is founded, becoming the country's main higher education institution.
• 15 February 1997 — The Katuaq Cultural Centre opens, quickly turning into the heart of the capital's cultural life.
• 21 June 2009 — The Act on Greenland Self-Government enters into force, significantly expanding the powers of the local authority, centred in Nuuk.
• 2012 — The famous "Blok P" is demolished — a huge residential building that was a symbol of the Danish urbanisation policy of the 1960s.
• 28 November 2024 — The new international airport opens, significantly improving transport accessibility to the capital.

Economic and Urban Transformations

• Centralisation Policy (1950s–1960s): In the mid-20th century, the Danish government initiated the G-60 programme aimed at modernising Greenland and relocating residents from small villages to large towns, including Nuuk. This led to rapid population growth and large-scale construction of apartment buildings, one symbol of which became the infamous "Blok P".
• Development of Fisheries: The city's economy gradually reoriented from traditional hunting to industrial fishing. Today, Nuuk is Greenland's main centre for the processing and export of seafood, primarily shrimp and halibut, which forms the basis of its economic well-being.
• Demolition of "Blok P" (2012): The dismantling of this gigantic residential building, where almost 1% of Greenland's entire population once lived, became a landmark event. It symbolised a rejection of outdated approaches to urban planning and a desire to create a more comfortable and modern urban environment.
• Opening of the New International Airport (2024): The launch of a new airport with a runway capable of accommodating large aircraft became a crucial milestone. This event radically improved the capital's transport accessibility, creating new opportunities for the development of tourism, business, and international relations.

Cultural and Political Development

• Obtaining Autonomy (1979): On 1 May 1979, Greenland received the right to self-government. On the same day, the capital was officially renamed from the Danish Godthåb to the Greenlandic Nuuk, meaning "the cape". This event cemented the city's status as the political and administrative centre of the Greenlandic people.
• Foundation of the University of Greenland (1987): The creation of its own university (Ilisimatusarfik) turned Nuuk into the country's main educational and scientific hub, allowing for the training of national personnel and the development of research dedicated to the Arctic.
• Opening of the Katuaq Cultural Centre (1997): The appearance of this multifunctional complex became a turning point in the city's cultural life. "Katuaq" is the main venue for concerts, exhibitions, film screenings, and public events, uniting Greenlandic traditions and contemporary art.
• Expansion of Self-Government (2009): The adoption of the Act on Greenland Self-Government significantly expanded the powers of the local government. This strengthened Nuuk's role as the capital where key decisions determining the island's future are made.

The architectural appearance of Nuuk is a visual history of its development, from a small colonial settlement to a modern Arctic capital. Here, functionality dictated by the harsh climate sits side by side with bright colours and bold modern forms.

Colonial Period and Traditional Buildings

Nuuk's historic centre, located in the old port area, retains features of the colonial era of the 18th and 19th centuries. Simple timber-framed houses built in the Scandinavian style are characteristic of this period. They were often assembled in Norway or Denmark and then transported to Greenland. These buildings are distinguished by their utility, modest size, and bright colouring. Initially, the colour of the house indicated its purpose: red for commercial buildings, yellow for hospitals, black for police stations. Iconic structures of this era include the Hans Egede House (now the government residence) and the old Nuuk Cathedral (Church of Our Saviour), which, despite its status, is a modest wooden building.

Modernism and Functional Development (1950s-1970s)

In the mid-20th century, Nuuk's urban planning changed radically due to the Danish policy of centralisation. This period was marked by the appearance of modernist architecture, where form was completely subordinate to function. The main symbol of the era became multi-storey block houses built for resettlers from small villages. The most famous of these was "Blok P" — a huge residential building that at one time housed nearly 1% of the entire population of Greenland. Such block developments, contrasting sharply with traditional single-family homes, shaped the appearance of many districts of the city.

Contemporary Architecture (Late 20th – Early 21st Century)

With the acquisition of autonomy in 1979, a new stage began in Nuuk's architecture — the search for national identity through modern forms. This period can be characterised as postmodernism and contemporary, where architects strive to harmoniously fit buildings into the harsh Arctic landscape and reflect local culture. The brightest example is the cultural centre "Katuaq" (1997). Its undulating façade made of golden larch symbolises the northern lights and the movement of ice, making it a landmark object of modern Greenlandic architecture. Other notable modern buildings, such as the University of Greenland campus and the Malik swimming pool, also use natural materials and flowing lines to merge with the surrounding nature.

Notable Figures of Nuuk

The capital of Greenland, despite its remoteness and small population, has become the birthplace or an important place in the lives of many prominent figures in politics, art, and sports. Here are some of them:

Hans Egede (1686–1758)

• Role: Dano-Norwegian Lutheran missionary, founder of the city.
• Significance: In 1728, he founded the settlement of Godthåb ("Good Hope"), which is known today as Nuuk. His missionary activity marked the beginning of the modern city and renewed ties between Scandinavia and Greenland. A monument to Egede towers over the historic part of the city.

Jonathan Motzfeldt (1938–2010)

• Role: Politician, first Prime Minister of Greenland.
• Significance: One of the key architects of Greenlandic autonomy (Home Rule), which entered into force in 1979. His political career was inextricably linked with Nuuk, which became the capital of the self-governing territory. He played a central role in the establishment of the country's modern political institutions.

Kuupik Kleist (born 1958)

• Role: Politician, fourth Prime Minister of Greenland, musician.
• Significance: He led the government from 2009 to 2013, during the period when the Self-Government Act came into force. Known for his reforms and course towards greater openness of Greenland for international cooperation. Besides politics, Kleist is also a well-known musician and public figure in Greenland.

Rasmus Lyberth (born 1951)

• Role: Singer, songwriter, and actor.
• Significance: One of Greenland's most famous and beloved musicians, whose work has received recognition far beyond its borders. In his songs, he often addresses themes of Greenlandic nature, culture, and identity. His career, which began in Nuuk, made him a cultural ambassador for his country.

Niviaq Korneliussen (born 1990)

• Role: Writer.
• Significance: Born in Nuuk, she is a bright representative of the new generation of Greenlandic authors. Her debut novel "HOMO sapienne" (2014) attracted international attention, raising themes of identity and the life of modern youth in Greenland. In 2021, she was awarded the prestigious Nordic Council Literature Prize.

Jesper Grønkjær (born 1977)

• Role: Professional footballer.
• Significance: Born in Nuuk and is one of the most successful footballers to come out of Greenland. Although he represented the Danish national team, his origins are often highlighted. Grønkjær played for such famous European clubs as Ajax, Chelsea, and Atlético Madrid.