Grytviken

Grytviken (Norwegian: gryte = kettle, pot, vik = bay, originally German translation: Grapenbucht ) is the only place and also the capital of the British overseas territory South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

History

The town was founded in November 1904 by the Norwegian Carl Anton Larsen and served from that point on for more than 50 years as an industrial base for whaling and processing. Remains of it are still preserved, such as giant whale oil tanks and various administrative facilities.

The place is also known for its connection to the Ernest Henry Shackleton biography. In Grytviken in 1916 it began on Elephant Iceland adventurous journey her happy ending. 1922 Shackleton was buried in the cemetery Grytvikens, after he died at the beginning of another expedition.

Population

Apart from researchers at the nearby station at King Edward Point and some tourists who are staying here for a few hours at most, Grytviken has only three permanent residents: Navy officer Pat Lurcock, his wife Sarah and their son. Tim and Pauline Carr, who ran for many years the South Georgia Museum with attached souvenir shop, since 2006 are no longer in Grytviken (as of 1 February 2007).

Attractions

Preserved and restored, the Whalers Church, a church that was brought by Grytviken in prefabricated components from Norway and was ordained for Christmas 1913. She was the southernmost church in the world for many years.

Grytviken 1989

Church

Grave of Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton