History of Qaanaaq

Qaanaaq is a unique settlement, standing as one of the northernmost towns in the world. Its history is relatively young and is distinguished by the dramatic circumstances of its emergence, linked not to gradual development but to a specific historical event of the 20th century.

Foundation and First Mentions

The town was officially founded in 1953. Its appearance was the result of the forced relocation of the residents of the ancient settlement of Uummannaq (Dundas). Due to the expansion of the American Thule Air Base, the Danish government decided to move the local community approximately 100 kilometres north. It was at this new location, on the shores of the Inglefield Fjord, that modern Qaanaaq grew.

Key Factors of Establishment

• Geography and Climate: The location in the High Arctic defined the character of the settlement. Extreme cold and the long polar night required exceptional resilience and adaptation from the residents.
• Political Will: The town emerged as an organised project, funded by the state to provide housing for the displaced population. This was a rare case where Greenland witnessed the creation of an entirely new town in such a short timeframe.
• Isolation: The region's inaccessibility contributed to the preservation of the way of life, protecting the local community from the rapid influence of globalisation.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Despite moving to new homes, the cultural and economic life of the settlers remained true to centuries-old traditions. The basis of existence was marine mammal hunting. Hunting for narwhals, seals, and walruses provided residents with food and materials for clothing and daily life. An important feature of the early period was the continued use of dog sleds as the main winter transport and the preservation of traditional hunting kayak manufacturing, which helped safeguard the unique identity of the Polar Inuit.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1910 — The renowned polar explorer Knud Rasmussen establishes a trading station in Uummannaq (Old Thule), creating a centre of attraction for the local community.
• 1951 — Denmark and the USA sign a defence agreement, paving the way for the massive expansion of the American air base in the region.
• 1953 — The official founding of the town of Qaanaaq following the forced relocation of residents from the old settlement 100 kilometres to the north.
• 1954 — Completion of basic infrastructure facilities, including a school and a hospital, to support life in the new location.
• 1968 — The crash of an American B-52 bomber carrying nuclear weapons on the ice of the bay causes serious concern regarding the region's environmental safety.
• 1979 — The introduction of the Home Rule system in Greenland gives local residents more rights in managing their territories.
• 1991 — Opening of the town museum in a relocated historical building where Knud Rasmussen and Peter Freuchen previously lived.
• 1999 — The Supreme Court of Denmark issues a ruling on compensation for residents for the forced relocation, officially acknowledging the severity of the events of 1953.
• 2001 — Commissioning of the airport, which ensured regular and reliable air connections with the rest of the country.
• 2003 — Signing of the Itilleq Declaration, granting local authorities a voice in matters regarding the use of the military base.
• 2018 — As part of an administrative reform, the town becomes part of the newly formed Avannaata municipality, uniting the northern territories.
• Present Day — The region becomes an important centre for climate research and attracts an increasing number of extreme tourism enthusiasts.

The development of the town of Qaanaaq is a story of the rapid adaptation of a traditional society to modern conditions in one of the harshest regions on the planet. Below are the key stages that defined the current appearance and way of life of this unique settlement.

• Transition to a Sedentary Lifestyle (1953): Forced relocation and the construction of stationary wooden houses instead of traditional dwellings radically changed the daily life of local residents.
  Significance: This marked the beginning of modern urbanisation in the district, providing the population with heating and electricity, but requiring a serious restructuring of social habits.
• Creation of Social Infrastructure (1950s): The opening of a school and a hospital was an important step in the town's development.
  Significance: Residents gained access to regular medical care and education, which significantly improved the quality of life and reduced child mortality.
• Opening of the Airport (2001): The construction of a runway capable of receiving small aircraft became a true transport revolution.
  Significance: The airport broke centuries of isolation, ensuring stable connections with the rest of the territory occupied by Greenland, and simplified the delivery of cargo and mail.
• Digitalisation and Communication (2000s): The arrival of satellite communication, mobile networks, and the internet.
  Significance: Integration into the global information space allowed young people to receive distance education, and businesses to develop contacts with the outside world without leaving the Arctic.
• Preservation of Heritage: The creation of a local museum in the historical buildings of polar explorers.
  Significance: This allowed for the preservation of the unique Inughuit culture and the history of North Pole exploration, turning the town into an important cultural centre of the region.
• Development of Expedition Tourism: The emergence of infrastructure to receive travellers and cruise ships.
  Significance: Tourism has become an important driver of the economy, giving local residents the opportunity for additional income and reducing dependence solely on traditional hunting.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

Unlike old European cities, the architecture of the town of Qaanaaq does not have centuries-old layers. It is a fully planned settlement that appeared on the map in the mid-20th century. The urban planning concept here is dictated not by aesthetic canons of the past, but by the harsh necessity of survival in conditions of permafrost and polar night.

The town's development stretches along the coast, allowing residents quick access to the sea — the main source of sustenance. A characteristic feature of local urbanism is the above-ground utilities: water supply and heating pipes are laid openly, as burying them in the frozen ground is technically difficult and unreliable.

Architectural Styles and Eras

Since the town was built "from scratch" in 1953, classic historical styles like Baroque or Classicism are absent here. The appearance of the settlement is formed by two main directions:

• Arctic Functionalism (1950s — Present). The housing stock consists mainly of small wooden houses painted in bright colours (red, blue, green, yellow). This tradition, common throughout the territory occupied by Greenland, helps to combat colour starvation in the white snowy landscape. Buildings are raised on piles so that the heat from the house does not melt the permafrost beneath it.
• Traditional Wooden Architecture (Early 20th Century, Relocated). Although the town is young, it contains buildings from an earlier era, transported from the old settlement (Uummannaq). These are structures made of tarred wood with elements characteristic of Danish trading posts from the beginning of the last century.

Iconic Structures

Despite its modest size, the town has several buildings that stand out against the general background and form its visual code:

• Qaanaaq Church (Qaanaaq Oqaluffia). The most expressive architectural structure of the town, built in 1981. Designed by Danish architect Ole Helweg, the building represents an example of modern interpretation of local traditions. Its white triangular shape resembles the outline of a traditional turf hut or an iceberg, harmoniously blending into the Arctic landscape.
• Qaanaaq Museum. A complex of historical buildings, including the house of the famous polar explorer Knud Rasmussen. These structures were carefully moved from the site of the old "Thule" trading station. They are distinguished by dark facades of tarred timber and represent a sample of colonial architecture from the early 20th century, miraculously preserved during the relocation.

Notable Figures

The history of the region where Qaanaaq is located is inextricably linked with the destinies of great polar explorers, brave travellers, and leaders of the indigenous population. These people played a key role in the exploration of the Arctic and the preservation of the unique Inughuit culture.

• Knud Rasmussen (1879–1933) — Polar explorer and anthropologist, often called the "Father of Eskimology".
  He founded the "Thule" trading station (the predecessor of the current town), organised numerous expeditions, and recorded invaluable information about the mythology and daily life of the local inhabitants. His house is now the town's main museum.
• Qillarsuaq (19th Century) — Legendary Inuit shaman and migration leader.
  In the 1860s, he led a group of Inuit from the Canadian Arctic to Greenland. This event saved the local population from extinction and reintroduced lost technologies: kayak construction, the use of bows and arrows, as well as special methods for building igloos.
• Peter Freuchen (1886–1957) — Danish traveller, writer, and journalist.
  Rasmussen's closest associate and the first manager of the Thule station. He lived among the local residents, was married to an Inuk woman, and actively promoted the establishment of ties between the indigenous population and the outside world.
• Robert Peary (1856–1920) — American polar explorer and admiral.
  He used this region as a base for his famous attempts to reach the North Pole. His expeditions brought modern tools and materials to the region occupied by Greenland, significantly influencing the material culture of the hunters.
• Matthew Henson (1866–1955) — American traveller and explorer.
  Peary's loyal companion, who was the first of the expedition to set foot on the North Pole. Henson learned the Inughuit language, adopted their survival skills, and enjoyed immense respect among the local population, leaving descendants here.
• Uusaqqak Qujaukitsoq (1948–2018) — Politician and public figure.
  A prominent defender of Inuit rights who dedicated his life to fighting for fair compensation for the residents forcibly relocated in 1953 during the construction of the air base.
• Jean Malaurie (1922–2024) — French geographer, ethnographer, and writer.
  Conducted extensive research in the region in the early 1950s. His famous book "The Last Kings of Thule" became a monument to the traditional way of life of the Polar Inuit on the eve of great changes.