Postcard from Ilulissat #1: The Icefjord Centre takes off

The construction of our new visitor centre in Ilulissat, Greenland has begun. More than a hundred people gathered for “kaffemik” (Greenlandic for “social gathering”), speeches and festivities when the beginning of the construction last weekend was celebrated by the parties behind the project.

Appointed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ilulissat Icefjord in Western Greenland is a very special place and the most popular tourist destination in Greenland. Come 2021, the Icefjord Centre will further strengthen this position by welcoming tourists and residents alike and conveying the impact of the ice on the unique nature, culture, and history of the area.

 “The establishment of regional visitor centers is one of the cornerstones in Greenland’s new tourism strategy. Therefore, it’s an important milestone that the construction of the Icefjord Centre in Ilulissat has now started. Dorte Mandrup’s beautiful and discreet building is created with great respect for and in unity with the surroundings, and we look forward to seeing it grow up by the Icefjord in the years to come. This will contribute to strengthening the development of Ilulissat and Greenland in general,” Minister of Industry, Energy and Research, Jess Svane, says.

The Icefjord and the surrounding area make up an irreplaceable landscape unlike any other in the world. It is one of the only places worldwide, where you can – literally and at close range – watch the ice melt as a consequence of global warming. By that, the centre will also create a focus on the ongoing climate debate and become a natural gathering point for researchers and decision makers wanting to discuss climate issues.

Visit Realdania’s website to read more (in Danish).


The Icefjord Centre is one out of five projects on UNESCO protected sites. The other four count the Wadden Sea Center in Ribe, the Wadden Sea World Heritage Centre in Groningen, the Trilateral Wadden Sea World Heritage Partnership Centre in Wilhelmshaven, and the Karlskrona Culture House and Library in Karlskrona.