Building Preservation

Building culture is the most visible evidence of our cultural heritage. It surrounds us every single day; we see it and live among it. The buildings narrate Kalaallit Nunaat's culture and architectural history throughout the ages.

Preserved buildings form a vital part of our history, identity, and the history of humankind. Preservation legislation allows us to protect and maintain the most valuable buildings for the benefit of ourselves and our descendants.

150 Preserved Buildings

The country has a total of 150 preserved buildings. While many function as private residences, you can experience this part of Kalaallit Nunaat’s cultural heritage in several public locations. Many preserved buildings are publicly accessible due to their function. These include huts and stations in Northeast Kalaallit Nunaat or structures within towns and settlements across the country.

List of all Preserved Buildings

The Greenland National Museum & Archives (NKA) must maintain a list of "preserved and preservation-worthy buildings" (fredede og bevaringsværdige bygninger) that includes all preserved buildings in the country.

The preserved buildings range in size from old colonial warehouses to remote huts and stations in Northeast Kalaallit Nunaat. Today, 150 preserved buildings are distributed throughout the country. Specifically, 95 buildings are located in towns and settlements, 55 buildings in Igaliku receive other forms of cultural heritage protection, and 10 are preserved huts and stations in Northeast Kalaallit Nunaat. These preserved buildings either represent essential societal development or offer unique testimonies of expeditions and hunting and trapping trips in remote areas.