Because of its location, this area was one
of the first parts of Greenland settled by the Norse and one of the last
settled by the Inuit. The town was founded in 1770 as Nennortalik. In 1797, a
permanent trading depot was set up in Nanortalik by traders from Julianehåb.
Due to poor harbour facilities, the town was moved three kilometers northward
in 1830, where it remains today. Of the old town, only some scattered ruins
remain.
