Alluitsoq (Lichtenau) is an abandoned settlement in South Greenland, located in the municipality of Kujalleq. Today, only a few houses are in use.

The History of Lichtenau

The description of Alluitsoq as an abandoned settlement refers to the place as a whole; at the same time, a few houses are still in use today. Lichtenau was founded in the 18th century and, at one time, was Greenland’s largest settlement, with 300 inhabitants. This superlative applies to an earlier period and does not describe the current population. Its founding, its size at one time, and its present-day use place the settlement’s history in distinct periods.

A Hike to Alluitsup Paa

A seven-kilometre hike leads from Alluitsoq to Alluitsup Paa. It is planned as part of a travel itinerary. If you plan to do this leg yourself, check the latest trail and access conditions beforehand. This places the history of Lichtenau and a specific, named hiking route alongside one another as distinct starting points for planning a trip.

More Destinations in the Municipality of Kujalleq

The wider destination of the municipality of Kujalleq offers distinctive cultural and outdoor activities in places such as Qaqortoq, Nanortalik, Igaliku and Narsaq. These regional examples broaden the perspective on Alluitsoq with a range of visitor interests.

In Qaqortoq, a guided city walk passes Mindebrønde, Greenland’s oldest fountain, and several works in the open-air exhibition “Stone and Man.” Greenland Sagalands is the town’s tourist information centre and can help organise tours and transport, as well as lend outdoor equipment. Great Greenland offers a guided tour in Qaqortoq about the processes involved in seal-skin production. Check current offerings and arrangements before your trip.

Several day hikes in Nanortalik lead from the town onto Nanortalik Island, including climbs to Qaqqarsuasik and Quassik. They can be done with a guide or independently. For a cultural focus, visit the Nanortalik Museum, where ten buildings serve as exhibition spaces. Topics range from traditional seal-oil production, healthcare and medicinal plants to Viking clothing, radio communications, kayaks and umiaks, and the shipwreck Hans Hedtoft.

Igaliku offers a different hiking focus within the municipality of Kujalleq: marked day trails lead to waterfalls cascading down to the fjord and to Nuuluk, the summit rising above the settlement. The Norse site at Igaliku also 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.

Narsaq also brings together museum and archaeology themes. The Narsaq Museum has a permanent exhibition about the Norse settlement in South Greenland and holds travelling exhibitions each year. The Landnám farm is among the oldest Norse ruins in the area; its ground plan is still clearly visible near the town centre. In Narsaq, a permanent exhibition and a visible archaeological ground plan thus offer two distinct ways to engage with history.

Discover more destinations: Narsarsuaq, Qaqortoq, Qassimiut, Narsaq

Go to the broader travel overview: Municipality of Kujalleq.