Put the world on standby! Get yourself comfortable in nature's
own bathtub, where the crystal clear water at a constant
temperature of 38 degrees Celsius originates from the geothermal
springs deep down in the fells.
The large tub, which the Norse
settlers constructed some 1,000 years ago, is surrounded by a
colourful richness of flowers. And there, right in front of you,
enormous icebergs and
last winter's field ice are beached out in the fjord, which has
some of South
Greenland's highest and most dramatic fells as a backdrop.
Steam rises as the water evaporates gently, your toes dig down into
the warm, soft silt, whilst small bubbles indicate the constant new
supply of water. Let time go by while you enjoy peace and quiet in
the midst of this fantastic landscape.
Heat from the depths
South Greenland is well-known for its hot springs. At several
locations the water bubbles up from the underground during both
summer and winter at temperatures several degrees above freezing
point. Nowhere else, however, are the springs as hot and as big as
in Uunartoq. The name in Greenlandic refers to "the warming
island", which lies halfway between Qaqortoq
and Nanortalik
and can be reached on a daytrip by boats from each of these two
towns. Uunartoq's unique characteristic is that it's still
completely as nature intended. There are no tarmac bus car parks,
spa complexes with expensive additional products and nor is it
overrun. The only structures fashioned by the hand of man are a
gangway and two sheds in which to change. Luxury on nature's
terms.
As if it's boiling
The uniqueness of the location has attracted scientists for
centuries. Back in 1778 the explorer Aron Arctander reported how
the water bubbles up "like living pearls", before going on to say
that it "makes the water look like it's boiling".
1,000 years of health and alleviation of pain
People have appreciated Uunartoq's life-giving springs for more
than 1,000 years. The oldest traces date back to the Norse
settlers, who constructed the bathtubs in boulders in order to
create a medieval spa. The Benedictine nuns living on a
neighbouring island in a convent dedicated to Olaf the Holy helped
the sick benefit from the health-giving powers and pain-relieving
effects of Uunartoq's warm water. Stories dating back to this
period relate how it was believed that the sick had regained their
health and were relieved of their suffering. When the Norse
settlers disappeared, the Thule race, the ancestors of present-day
Greenlanders, took over. Their history is still clear to see and
easy to access just a few hundred metres from the pools themselves.
There are plenty of opportunities to explore the remnants of 500
years of different building styles and communal graves in the area.
Several sites and graves date back to the 16th century.
Do you wish to know more?
One thing's absolutely certain: You'll only leave Uunartoq's
springs with reluctance - and with fingers and toes that rather
resemble raisins. The tourist offices in Nanortalik and Qaqortoq
organise daytrips to the hot springs. Read more on their websites
(www.nanortaliktourism.com, www.sagalands.com). Also read more about the
hot springs on greenland.com here