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Grytviken (/ ˈɡrɪtviːkən / GRIT-vee-kən Norwegian: [ˈɡɾŷːtviːkn̩]) is a hamlet on South Georgia in the South Atlantic and formerly a whaling station and the largest settlement on the island. It is located at the head of King Edward Cove within the larger Cumberland East Bay, considered the best harbour on the island. [1] .
- Exploring Grytviken
- Grytviken, South Georgia
- Founded by Norwegians
- Whaling Was Big Business
- Grytviken’S People
- Life on Grytviken
- Grytviken Church
- Visiting Grytviken
- Ernest Shackleton’s Grave
- Grytviken Museum
Of all the landings we explored in South Georgia, Grytviken was our favorite. This eerie, hauntingly beautiful town was once South Georgia’s main whaling station. At it’s peak, up to 500 men lived here each summer catching whales and distilling their carcasses down to blubber and oil. Up to 25 whales, each 60 to 70 feet long, could be processed in ...
Just 8,000 visitors visit South Georgia each year. Only a few expedition and small ship cruises even make the journey to Grytviken, as South Georgia is so remote. Combining Antarctica with the Falklandsand South Georgia can be both expensive and time consuming – it’s nearly a 21 day journey to make the triangular loop. The route is typically offere...
In the early 1900s, whaling had already eliminated the stocks of whales in the northern hemisphere. Europe desperately wanted more whales to feed their need for oil so enterprising sailors looked towards the Southern Ocean. Here, southern whales were still abundant. In November 1904, Norwegian sea captain Carl Anton Larson chose the site due to its...
Whales were ruthlessly hunted for whale oil and nearly every part of the animal (blubber, meat, bone) was rendered down to extract oil. Vats of oil were then shipped off to manufacturers who repackaged the fuel source into lamp fuel, margarine and even beauty products. Leftover whale scraps became fertilizer and animal food. In some instances, froz...
In its prime, nearly 500 seasonal workers came to Grytviken each year during the southern summer months, from October to March. They were nearly all men from Britain and Norway, lured by the work and riches that whaling had to offer. A young man could work just 15 months in South Georgia and return with enough money to buy a house, start a business...
Over time, Grytviken transformed from an inhospitable coastal settlement into a lively community. There was a church and post office, both of which you can visit today, as well as a movie theater, grocery store and general store. Can you guess what items were most in demand? Tobacco and cologne! When we found out perfume was popular, I assumed it w...
One of the few buildings that remain intact is the church and station master’s house, so we popped into both for a look. Grytviken’s beautiful Neo-Gothic church was first built in Norway and then erected in Gyrtviken. It’s one of the most southern churches in the world and its stark white, simple architecture was beautiful against Grytviken’s snowy...
Today, the rusting remains of its whale processing plants remain. The whaling station was extensively cleaned to remove it of hazardous materials and so visitors can freely walk in and around the exposed machinery. The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands overseas tourism for this British Overseas Territory. Approximately 50 c...
Our zodiacs land on the southwestern side of the settlement, close to the cemetery where many whalers are buried. Famous Anglo-Irish explorer Ernest Shackleton is also buried here on South Georgia, as his widow chose the island for his final resting place. We pay homage to Shackleton and find a small group of king penguins silently paying their res...
In the center of town, we make our way to the station manager’s house. Today, it’s been repurposed as the South Georgia Museum, focused on the island’s history, discovery and exploration. There are some great exhibits on Shackleton’s expeditions and even a replica of the James Cairdsail boat which he sailed in across open seas to reach South Georgi...
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The Museum is located in Grytviken, a former whaling station on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. The collections are owned by the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI), a British Overseas Territory in the Southern Atlantic Ocean.
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) is a British Overseas Territory in the southern Atlantic Ocean. It is a remote and inhospitable collection of islands, consisting of South Georgia and a chain of smaller islands known as the South Sandwich Islands. South Georgia is 165 kilometres (103 mi) long and 35 kilometres (22 mi) wide ...
Jul 26, 2024 · South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands lie approximately 1,000 km east of the Falkland Islands and have been under British administration since 1908 -- except for a brief period in 1982 when Argentina occupied them. Grytviken, on South Georgia, was a 19th- and early 20th-century whaling station.
Sep 20, 2023 · Everything you need to know about travelling to Grytviken in South Georgia Island. From things to do, the history of the town and the wildlife you'll see!
The Museum is located in Grytviken, a former whaling station on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. The collections are owned by the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI), a British Overseas Territory in the Southern Atlantic Ocean.
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