UNESCO World Heritage Viking Site & National Historic Site of Canada
Only Known Viking Settlement in North America
-World Famous - L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS, NEWFOUNDLAND is the only confirmed Viking Settlement in North America, and in 1978 was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An Interpretation Centre and re-constructed Viking Sod Houses are open to today's global explorers, with much more modern day accommodations nearby.
For a Place to Stay, see: St. Brendan's Motel - L'Anse aux Meadows Accommodations
According to Norse Saga, after surviving daring ocean travel in small, open plank boats from Greenland (via 'Icebery Alley') as part of the broader Norse exploration of the Americas at around 1000 A.D., brave Viking explorers discovered what is believed to be Vinland - 'Land of Meadows'. Making its first appearance in 1862 on a map as 'Anse à la Medée', the name was later changed to 'L'Anse aux Méduses', or 'Jellyfish Cove', by French-speaking fisherman before being anglicized into what is now commonly known as 'L'Anse aux Meadows', Newfoundland.
For a Place to Stay, see: St. Brendan's Motel - L'Anse aux Meadows Accommodations
According to Norse Saga, after surviving daring ocean travel in small, open plank boats from Greenland (via 'Icebery Alley') as part of the broader Norse exploration of the Americas at around 1000 A.D., brave Viking explorers discovered what is believed to be Vinland - 'Land of Meadows'. Making its first appearance in 1862 on a map as 'Anse à la Medée', the name was later changed to 'L'Anse aux Méduses', or 'Jellyfish Cove', by French-speaking fisherman before being anglicized into what is now commonly known as 'L'Anse aux Meadows', Newfoundland.
The (Re-)Discovery of L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland
Remains of this Norse village where
found in 1960 at the tip of the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland, in
the Canadian Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, by Helge Ingstad, a
Norwegian explorer. Helge, along with wife Anne Stine Ingstad, excavated the
site throughout the 60's unearthing many complete houses. L'Anse aux
Meadows is recognized as the only known Viking site outside of
Greenland, and the earliest documented evidence of trans-oceanic exploration and
settlement of the New World by Europeans - nearly 500 years before the
arrival of Christopher Columbus.
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The Norse houses were dug into the ground and built out of frames of wood over-layed with grass sod, creating secure shelters to live in and comfortable places to work. The biggest house had seven rooms where various artifacts indicate women also resided there, with iron work, carpentry and boat repair being part of their everyday lives. Norse sagas subsequently recant the stories of Greenlanders temporarily settling Vinland and the tough times they experienced.
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Modern-Day Vikings Experience a Trip Back
Celebrations
at the turn of the millennium marked the 1000th anniversary since Leif
Ericson, son of Eric the Red,
dropped anchor at North America's first known European settlement. Each
year, thousands of visitors take a step back in time when enjoying
the local Viking lore of L'Anse aux Meadows. Share this -World Famous- unique one-of-a-kind experience with friends and family and visit L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland today! Long May Your Big Jib Draw!
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...to the Past!
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Photos and Video courtesy nearby St. Brendan's Motel - L'Anse aux Meadows Accommodations ...with History and Adventure at your Doorstep!
Also check-out -World Famous - Iceberg Alley, Newfoundland - Find Icebergs, Icebergs & MORE Icebergs!
Also check-out -World Famous - Iceberg Alley, Newfoundland - Find Icebergs, Icebergs & MORE Icebergs!
