Alluitsoq (Lichtenau)

Alluitsoq, also known as Lichtenau, combines a rich settlement history with the image of a place that is now only partly in use. Its history spans from the 18th century to a time when Lichtenau, with 300 residents, was Greenland’s largest settlement. When planning a trip, it is worth distinguishing this former significance from the situation today.

Settlement history in Alluitsoq

Alluitsoq is in South Greenland and belongs to Kommune Kujalleq. The settlement is considered abandoned; today, only a few houses are in use. Lichtenau was founded in the 18th century and was, for a time, Greenland’s largest settlement, with 300 residents. This figure belongs to that earlier period and does not describe how the houses are used today. This change is precisely what makes Alluitsoq an interesting point of reference for anyone interested in the history of settlements.

The names Alluitsoq and Lichtenau refer to the same place. This connects the name used today with the settlement’s history without equating its former size with the situation today. If you are preparing for a stay, you might first consider whether this history is the focus you are looking for, or whether other experiences in Kommune Kujalleq should also play a part.

A hike as a trip in its own right

A published itinerary describes a seven-kilometre hike from Alluitsoq (Lichtenau) to Alluitsup Paa. This makes a specific route another possible focus alongside the settlement’s history. If you would like to include this hike in your plans, check the current trail conditions in advance. The stated distance gives the length of the described route; it does not indicate how long the hike takes or whether it is accessible today.

More cultural and hiking experiences in Kommune Kujalleq

Other places in the broader destination of Kommune Kujalleq also offer their own historical and active pursuits. In Igaliku, the Norse site includes the remains of Saint Nicholas Cathedral, a church, a bishop’s residence, a farm with barns for up to 100 cows, and a bishop’s gravestone. Marked day-hiking trails lead to waterfalls cascading down to the fjord and to the peak of Nuuluk, which rises above the settlement. The combination of visible ruins and described hiking destinations sets this focus apart from Alluitsoq’s own settlement history.

In Narsaq, the Landnám farm is another archaeological site of interest: it is among the area’s oldest Norse ruins, and its ground plan is still clearly visible near the town centre. The Narsaq Museum has a permanent exhibition on the Viking settlement of South Greenland and hosts temporary exhibitions each year. Visitors interested in the past will find both a ground plan visible in the town and a museum with a permanent exhibition theme and changing exhibitions.

Nanortalik offers different museum topics again: ten buildings serve as exhibition spaces for the Nanortalik Museum. The exhibitions cover traditional seal-oil production, healthcare and medicinal plants, Viking clothing, radio communications, traditional boats such as the kayak and umiaq, and the shipwreck Hans Hedtoft. Several day hikes from Nanortalik lead onto Nanortalik Island; the named destinations include ascents of Qaqqarsuasik and Quassik. This place therefore brings together museum visits and hiking destinations.

Qaqortoq has its own cultural focus, too: the collections at the Qaqortoq Museum include tupilaks by master carvers Aron and Cecilie Kleist. A guided town walk passes Mindebrønde, Greenland’s oldest fountain, and several works in the outdoor exhibition “Stone and Man.” These examples are in Qaqortoq, not Alluitsoq.

When looking for a holiday apartment, the mix of history, museums and hiking you are looking for can help you choose the right place to focus on. Here, Alluitsoq represents its own settlement history and the described hike; the other experiences mentioned are in their respective places in Kommune Kujalleq.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Qassimiut, Qaqortoq, Narsarsuaq, Narsaq.

Back to the broader travel overview: Kommune Kujalleq.