History of Sisimiut

Foundation and First Mentions

The territory occupied by modern Sisimiut boasts a rich history stretching back 4,500 years. The first inhabitants of these lands were representatives of the ancient Arctic cultures of Saqqaq, Dorset, and Thule. The official founding date of the modern settlement is considered to be 1764, when a Danish colony named Holsteinsborg was established here. The city received its historical name in honour of Count Johan Ludvig Holstein, a patron of missionary activity in the region.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of a small settlement into the second-largest city in the region of Greenland was driven by a unique combination of natural and economic conditions:

• Geographical Advantage: The city is located approximately 40 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. Thanks to warm currents, it is the northernmost port on the west coast that remains ice-free during the winter, ensuring year-round navigation.
• Resources and Trade: The abundance of marine mammals, especially whales, in the coastal waters made this area a centre of attraction for whalers in the 18th and 19th centuries.
• Trading Hub: The convenient harbour facilitated the development of commerce, turning the settlement into an important transit point between the north and south of the island.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of the early period was based on a symbiosis of the traditional Inuit way of life and European commerce. Local residents were actively engaged in hunting seals, walruses, and whales, exchanging their catch for imported goods. This interaction formed a unique cultural landscape:

• Crafts developed, including bone carving and the production of traditional skin clothing, which were highly valued by traders.
• A characteristic style of wooden architecture became established in the city; many 18th-century buildings have survived to this day and now comprise the historic museum quarter.
• The social structure of the settlement was built around the mission and the trading post, uniting the indigenous population and settlers.

Key Dates in History

• Approx. 2500 BC – Appearance of the first settlements of the Saqqaq culture. Ancient hunters chose these places due to rich marine resources and convenient access to the sea.
• 1720s – Beginning of active contacts between local residents and European whalers, who used the ice-free harbour for docking ships.
• 1764 – Official founding of the colony of Holsteinsborg, now known as Sisimiut. The settlement was moved to its current location to improve trading conditions.
• 1775 – Consecration of Bethel Church (the Blue Church). This is the oldest surviving religious structure on the island, built with funds from the whaling industry.
• 1926 – Construction of the New Church at the foot of the cliff, which became a recognisable architectural symbol of the city.
• 1931 – Opening of the first shipyard in Greenland. This event secured the city's status as the main technical centre of the coast.
• 1962 – Foundation of the Knud Rasmussen Folk High School, the activities of which are aimed at preserving the Inuit language, art, and traditions.
• 2008 – Opening of the Taseralik Cultural Centre, which became the heart of public life and the main venue for exhibitions and concerts.
• 2010 – Launch of a modern hydroelectric power station, providing the city with clean energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
• 2018 – Inclusion of the Aasivissuit – Nipisat hunting grounds in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a unique cultural landscape.

Stages of Transformation and Development

The evolution of the city of Sisimiut is a journey from a seasonal hunters' camp to a modern industrial and educational centre. Key transformations that defined the current appearance of the second-largest city in the region of Greenland include:

• Strategic Port Relocation (1764). The decision to establish the colony by an ice-free harbour became the foundation of the city's economy. This ensured the possibility of year-round navigation and turned the settlement into the main maritime gateway of the region north of the Arctic Circle.
• Industrial Breakthrough (1931). The opening of the island's first shipyard changed the economic structure, adding technical production to traditional trades. The enterprise still plays a key role in servicing the fishing fleet.
• Formation of an Educational Cluster (since the 1960s). The creation of the Knud Rasmussen Folk High School and the subsequent development of the Technical College (KTI) attracted youth from all over the coast to the city, rejuvenating the population and creating demand for modern infrastructure.
• Modernisation of Fish Processing. The construction and upgrading of the Royal Greenland factory facilities, specialising in the processing of shrimp and crabs, secured the city's status as an important export hub and provided hundreds of jobs.
• Transport Autonomy (1998). The commissioning of an airport with a runway for Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft radically improved logistics, simplifying connections with the international hub in Kangerlussuaq.
• Cultural Urbanisation (2008). The opening of the Taseralik centre became a symbol of urban renewal. The building not only architecturally adorned the city but also became a focal point for creative industries and public events.
• Energy Transition (2010). The launch of the hydroelectric power station allowed the city's energy supply to be switched to renewable sources, minimising the use of diesel fuel and reducing the carbon footprint.

Architectural Evolution and Urban Landscape

The urban appearance of the city of Sisimiut represents a unique chronicle of Arctic exploration, where history is closely intertwined with modernity. The development expanded from the natural harbour up the rocky slopes, forming a picturesque amphitheatre protected from winds by the Nasaasaaq mountain massif.

Historical Eras and Styles

The city's architecture vividly demonstrates the succession of historical periods and the influence of European traditions on the Inuit way of life:

• Colonial Style (18th–19th centuries). The era of Danish trading expansion. Buildings from this period are predominantly wooden log structures with gable roofs, often imported in disassembled form from Scandinavia ("kit houses"). They are distinguished by strict geometry and functionality.
• National Romanticism and Classicism (Early 20th century). The period of establishing public infrastructure. Architecture acquires more monumental features, with buildings appearing that have decorative elements emphasising the status of institutions.
• Functionalism and Modernism (1960s – 1970s). The era of industrialisation and population concentration policy (G60). Multi-apartment concrete residential blocks appeared in the city. This style is characterised by conciseness of form, flat roofs, and an emphasis on utility.
• Modern Arctic Architecture (21st century). Postmodernism and eco-style. New public buildings are designed with consideration for integration into the harsh landscape, utilising panoramic glazing and natural materials.

Iconic Buildings and Districts

The visual image of the city of Greenland is largely determined by the colour coding of buildings (historically: red for trade and churches, yellow for medicine, blue for the fishing industry) and key architectural landmarks:

• Museum Quarter (Old Town). The historical core at the entrance to the port. Here stands the Blue Church (Bethel-kirken) of 1775 — the oldest church in Greenland preserved in its original form, a vivid example of colonial wooden architecture.
• The New Church (1926). Located higher up the slope, this red wooden church has become a symbol of the city. Its architecture combines traditional Scandinavian motifs with adaptation to polar conditions.
• Taseralik Cultural Centre. An example of modern architecture harmonising with nature. The building, with smooth lines and large windows, is situated on the lakeshore and serves as a centre of cultural life.
• Residential Housing on the Rocks. Characteristic clusters of bright single-family homes that climb the granite hills, creating a recognisable and vibrant landscape against the backdrop of snow and stone.

Distinguished Personalities in the City's History

The history of the city of Sisimiut is inextricably linked with the names of explorers, administrators, and cultural figures who contributed to its development from a trading post to a modern educational centre of the region of Greenland.

• Simon Dalager (1726–1805)
  Danish merchant and colonial administrator
  A key figure in the founding of the modern city. In 1764, it was he who made the strategic decision to move the Holsteinsborg colony to its current location by the ice-free harbour. This ensured the settlement's status as the most important trading and whaling port on the coast.
• Johan Ludvig Holstein (1694–1763)
  Danish statesman, Count
  Chairman of the Mission College, in whose honour the city bore its historical name — Holsteinsborg — for over two centuries. Although the Count did not personally visit the island, his patronage played an important role in financing early missions and the establishment of the colony.
• H.C. Petersen (1925–2015)
  Ethnographer, writer, artist, and educator
  An outstanding cultural figure who headed the Knud Rasmussen Folk High School in Sisimiut for many years. He dedicated his life to the revival of Inuit traditions, particularly kayak building technology, turning the city into a centre for the preservation of national heritage.
• Rasmus Lyberth (born 1951)
  Singer, composer, and actor
  One of Greenland's most famous artists, whose creative activity is closely tied to Sisimiut. Thanks to his unique voice and charisma, he became a cultural ambassador for the island, performing on the world's best stages and teaching music to local youth.
• Hans Enoksen (born 1956)
  Politician, former Prime Minister of Greenland
  A native of the settlement of Itilleq, which is part of the Sisimiut municipal district. He became the first head of government to speak only Greenlandic and actively promoted the development of local self-government and support for the region's hunting communities.
• Miki Jacobsen (born 1965)
  Visual artist and performer
  Born and raised in Sisimiut. Known for his modern reinterpretation of ancient Inuit imagery, such as tupilaks. His works, combining painting, photography, and performance, are regularly exhibited at international biennials, bringing fame to his hometown in the art world.