Brattahlíð (Qassiarsuk)
Qassiarsuk
The Viking farm site founded by Erik the Red, with a reconstructed turf longhouse and Thjodhild's Church. It was the starting point of the Norse landing in Greenland.
Brattahlid is on the western shore of Tunulliarfik Fjord, now called Qassiarsuk. Around 985, Erik the Red founded a farm here, and his son Leif Erikson set out from it to North America. The site has stone foundations of the farm and great hall, as well as a turf longhouse and a small church named Thjodhild's (Þjóðhildur) Church, both based on archaeological reconstruction. The church is said to be the earliest Christian church in the Americas. It was inscribed as part of the Kujataa World Heritage property in 2017. It is far from Qaqortoq and is usually reached by boat from Narsarsuaq in about 20 minutes. From Qaqortoq it requires a day trip or an overnight stay.
Opening hours
Open in summer; hours for the reconstructed buildings follow the boat tours
Nearby sights
- Igaliku
- Hvalsey Church Ruins
- Narsaq
- Lake Tasersuaq Hike
- Uunartoq Hot Springs
- Qaqortoq Museum
- Mindebrønden Fountain
- Stone & Man Sculptures