Garðar Cathedral Ruins
Igaliku, Greenland
The Garðar Cathedral Ruins are a church ruin located in Igaliku, Kujalleq, Greenland. Constructed in 1126, the structure was built using sandstone and was dedicated to Saint Nicholas. This site remains one of the most looked-up sights in Greenland, serving as a reminder of the area's history with Catholicism.
Planning a visit
The best time to visit the Garðar Cathedral Ruins is during the summer months from June through August. During this period, daily high temperatures reach between 11 °C and 14 °C, while daily low temperatures remain between 5 °C and 8 °C. Visitors should be prepared for precipitation throughout the year, as rain occurs in every month. Precipitation amounts vary, with August seeing 114 mm of rain and November seeing 102 mm. Outside of the summer season, temperatures drop significantly, with daily highs falling below freezing from November through March and lows reaching -13 °C in January and February.
To reach the ruins, travelers can fly into Qaqortoq Airport, which is 43 kilometers from the site. The ruins are situated 479 kilometers from Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. For those exploring the area, the site is located near Kujataa, which is 21.8 kilometers away, and Hvalsey, located 26.2 kilometers away.
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 14 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | -7 | -7 | -5 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 8 | 2 | -3 | -6 |
| Average low, °C | -13 | -13 | -11 | -5 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 2 | -4 | -9 | -12 |
| Rainfall, mm | 74 | 73 | 65 | 73 | 67 | 87 | 92 | 114 | 115 | 96 | 102 | 66 |
| Rainy days | 16 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 11 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
