History of Upernavik

The history of the settlement of these lands is rooted in deep antiquity, long before the modern town appeared on the map. Upernavik was officially founded as a Danish colonial station in 1772; however, this region served as a home for the Inuit and a hunting ground for many centuries.

Key Factors of Establishment:

• "The Spring Place": This is the translation of the town's name from the Greenlandic language. Historically, this was linked to seasonal migration: hunters and their families moved here in spring when the ice began to melt, opening access to open water and abundant marine resources.
• The Scandinavian Trace: The town's surroundings are famous for a significant archaeological find — the Kingittorsuaq Runestone. This artifact confirms that Vikings reached these high latitudes as early as the late 13th century, long before the establishment of a permanent settlement by Europeans.
• Geography: Its location on a small island within a vast archipelago off the coast of Greenland made the settlement a strategically convenient point for navigation and observing marine wildlife.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the early years of the trading post's existence, life here depended entirely on the harsh Arctic climate. The economy was based on traditional subsistence: hunting seals, walruses, and polar bears. The trade in skins and blubber (marine mammal oil) was the main link between the local population and European merchants, forming a unique way of life where survival skills were valued above all else.

Major Historical Milestones

• Around 1300: Scandinavian seafarers leave a runestone on Kingittorsuaq Island, evidencing the early presence of Europeans in these latitudes.
• 1772: Danish administrator Andreas Bruun officially founds Upernavik as a colonial station.
• 1823: After a period of temporary abandonment, the trading post is restored and begins functioning on a permanent basis.
• 1824: The famous runestone is discovered in the vicinity of the settlement, becoming one of the most valuable historical artifacts possessed by Greenland.
• 1832: Construction of the Old Church building is completed; it has survived to this day and is part of the local museum.
• 1926: The consecration of the New Church takes place, becoming the town's main architectural landmark.
• 1950s: The beginning of active infrastructure modernization, during which traditional dwellings began to be massively replaced by modern wooden houses.
• 2000: Opening of Upernavik Airport on the top of a hill near the town, ensuring regular air connections with the outside world.
• 2009: As part of a major administrative reform, the town loses its status as a separate municipality and becomes part of the Qaasuitsup municipality.
• 2018: Following a new territorial division, the town becomes part of the northern municipality of Avannaata.

The history of this place is a chronicle of survival and adaptation in the harsh conditions of the Arctic. The development of Upernavik was defined by shifting economic eras, technological progress, and a desire to preserve unique cultural heritage at the edge of the inhabited world.

Key Stages of Development and Their Significance:

• Establishment of a Permanent Settlement (1772)
  The transformation of a seasonal Inuit camp into a permanent Danish trading post became the starting point of the town's history. This event integrated local hunters into the international trade system, making the settlement a centre for collecting and exporting valuable Arctic resources — skins and blubber.
• Discovery of the Runestone (1824)
  The find on the neighbouring island of Kingittorsuaq was a major cultural event. The artifact documented that Vikings had reached these latitudes as far back as the 13th century, giving the region a special status in the historical context of Greenland and attracting the attention of the global scientific community.
• Formation of the Historic Centre (19th Century)
  The construction of key public buildings, including the Old Church and trade warehouses, laid the urban foundation of the settlement. Today, this architectural ensemble forms one of the most authentic open-air museums, preserving the atmosphere of the colonial era for future generations.
• Urbanisation and Modernisation (1950s)
  This period marked a radical change in the town's appearance. The mass transition from traditional peat huts to modern wooden houses and the construction of social infrastructure (schools, hospitals) raised the population's quality of life to a fundamentally new level.
• Rise of the Halibut Industry (1980s)
  The economic foundation of the modern town was laid during the reorientation from hunting marine mammals to deep-sea fishing for Greenland halibut. The creation of fish processing facilities provided residents with stable jobs and made the town an important export hub.
• Opening of the Airport (2000)
  The construction of a runway on the plateau summit was a decisive step in overcoming geographic isolation. Regular air travel not only simplified life for local residents but also opened opportunities for the development of expedition tourism and fast logistics for fresh fish.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The urban structure of the town of Upernavik is dictated by the harsh landscape and climatic conditions of the Arctic. The town is located on a small rocky island, so there is no grid system or wide avenues typical of Europe here. The buildings climb the steep slopes of the hills in a chaotic but picturesque manner, following the natural relief of the terrain.

The settlement's architecture represents a unique combination of Danish colonial style and modern Arctic functionalism. Two main eras can be distinguished in the town's appearance, each leaving its mark on the visual code of the streets.

Main Architectural Stages:

• Colonial Style (18th–19th Centuries):
  The historical core of the town is concentrated around the old harbour. Buildings from the heyday of whaling and trade have been preserved here. These are small wooden structures with gable roofs, characterised by simplicity of form and a lack of excess. A prime example is the Old Church (1832) and the old rectory building. Today, these structures form an open-air museum complex, being some of the oldest in Greenland.
• Northern Romanticism and Transitional Period (Early 20th Century):
  During this period, architecture became more expressive while remaining faithful to wood as the primary material. The dominant feature of this style is the New Church, built in 1926. Its silhouette stands out against the town's backdrop, symbolising the transition to more substantial construction and the development of public infrastructure.
• Arctic Functionalism (From the 1950s):
  The modern look of the town is formed by standard wooden houses painted in bright colours. This tradition, which originated in the mid-20th century, had practical significance: the colour of the house indicated its function (yellow for hospitals, red for trade and churches, blue for fish factories). Today, this "colour coding" creates a recognisable and cheerful landscape against the background of severe grey rocks and white icebergs.

Modern infrastructure occupies a special place in urban planning. The airport, built on top of an artificially levelled plateau above the town, represents an example of engineering mastery in permafrost conditions, visually completing the vertical composition of the settlement.

Notable Figures

The harsh nature and strategic position of the town of Upernavik attracted people with strong character. The history of this place is inextricably linked with the names of explorers, creators, and politicians whose activities left a noticeable mark on the chronicles of Greenland.

• Andreas Bruun (1737–?)
  Colonial administrator, town founder
  A Danish official who played a decisive role in putting the town on the map. In 1772, he chose this island to create a new trading post, assessing its potential for hunting and navigation. It was Bruun who laid the foundations of the urban infrastructure, turning a seasonal camp into a permanent settlement.
• Rockwell Kent (1882–1971)
  American artist, writer, and traveller
  The famous artist spent significant time in the Upernavik area (in the settlement of Illorsuit) in the 1930s. Here, he created many paintings capturing Arctic landscapes and the daily life of local residents. His book "Salamina" is dedicated to life in this region and serves as an important cultural testimony of that era to this day.
• Peter Freuchen (1886–1957)
  Polar explorer, anthropologist, and writer
  A legendary Danish traveller and associate of Knud Rasmussen. In the early 20th century, he lived and worked at the Upernavik trading station, organising expeditions to the far north. Freuchen made a huge contribution to the study of Inuit culture and the popularisation of the Arctic in world literature.
• Aleqa Hammond (born 1965)
  Politician, stateswoman
  The first woman to hold the post of Prime Minister of Greenland. Although born in another town, her childhood and youth were spent in Upernavik. This period of life significantly influenced her worldview and understanding of the problems of remote northern settlements, which was later reflected in her political career.
• Ole Jørgen Hammeken (1816–1891)
  Trade manager and public figure
  A representative of a well-known Greenlandic dynasty who served as the colony manager in the mid-19th century. He played an important role in maintaining the town's economy during difficult times and promoted the development of trade relations with local hunters, strengthening the social structure of the settlement.