Historic Gravneset in beautiful Magdalenefjorden, Svalbard

Historic Gravneset in beautiful Magdalenefjorden, Svalbard

Historical cemetery • Whaling station • Fjord landscape & glaciers

from AGE ™ Travel Magazine
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Arctic – Svalbard Archipelago

Main island of Svalbard

Gravneset & Magdalenefjorden

The Magdalenefjorden is located in the northwest of the Spitsbergen Island and belongs to the Northwest Spitsbergen National Park. Here, glaciers meet sandy beaches and rugged mountains meet tundra with mosses and arctic flowers: That's why it is considered one of the most beautiful fjords in Svalbard.

Gravneset is a historical place in the Magdalenefjorden. Known as one of Svalbard's largest historic cemeteries, it was the site of an English whaling station in the early 17th century and also played an important role in the early history of exploration. In Gravneset, Willem Barentsz formally took possession of Svalbard for the Netherlands in 1596.

Hut near Gravneset - historical whaling place Spitsbergen Svalbard

Gravneset is an important historical place in Svalbard in the beautiful Magdalenefjorden and surrounded by breathtaking nature.

Because Gravneset combines the history of Svalbard with the varied beauty of the Magdalenefjorden, cruise ships visit this place regularly. Unfortunately, tourists desecrated the graves in the 20th century, so the remains are now cordoned off. However, the memorial plaque for the grave site and the remains of the oil furnaces of the former whaling station are still accessible.

Arctic terns and little grebes are common in Gravneset. With a bit of luck, seals or walruses can also be spotted in the fjord during a zodiac trip. If the weather is good, you can take the beautiful hike from Gravneset along the Gullybukta and further to the Gullybreen glacier. Adventurous souls can even enter the glacier. In the AGE™ experience report “Cruise Spitsbergen: Midnight Sun & Calving Glaciers” we take you on a journey

Our Svalbard travel guide will take you on a tour of the various attractions, sights and wildlife viewing.

Tourists can also discover Spitsbergen with an expedition ship, for example with the Sea Spirit.
Do you dream of meeting the King of Spitsbergen? Experience polar bears in Svalbard.
Explore the arctic islands of Norway with the AGE™ Svalbard Travel Guide.


Svalbard travel guideSvalbard cruise • Spitsbergen Island • Gravneset & Magdalenefjorden • Experience report

Inscription on the memorial plaque at Gravneset

The inscription on the memorial plaque is written above the map in Norwegian and below the map in English.
The English text is as follows:
Cultural monuments
Whaling station and burial ground 1612 – 1800.
The Whaling station was used by
Dutch, English and Basque Expeditions 1612 – 1650.
British, Dutch and German Whalers are buried here.
The map shows graves and blubber cookeries.
It is forbidden to walk in the burial area.
The monuments are protected by law.
Memorial plaque - Gravneset Historical Place - Whaling History Spitsbergen Svalbard
Svalbard travel guideSvalbard cruise • Spitsbergen Island • Gravneset & Magdalenefjorden • Experience report

Maps route planner Gravneset Magdalenefjorden SvalbardWhere is Gravneset in the Magdalenefjorden? Svalbard map
Temperature Weather Gravneset Svalbard What is the weather like in Gravneset Svalbard?

Svalbard travel guideSvalbard cruise • Spitsbergen Island • Gravneset & Magdalenefjorden • Experience report

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If the content of this article does not match your personal experience, we assume no liability. The contents of the article have been carefully researched and are based on personal experience. However, if information is misleading or incorrect, we assume no liability. Furthermore, circumstances can change. AGE™ does not guarantee topicality or completeness.
Source reference for text research
information through Poseidon Expeditions or on the Cruise ship Sea Spirit as well as personal experiences in Svalbard visiting Magdalenefjorden, Gravneset, Gullybukta and Gullybreen on July 19.07.2023, XNUMX.

Norwegian Polar Institute (June 2015), Gravneset in Magdalenefjorden [79° 30′ N 11° 00′ E]. [online] Retrieved on August 27.08.2023, XNUMX, from URL: https://cruise-handbook.npolar.no/en/nordvesthjornet/gravneset-in-magdalenefjorden.html

Sitwell, Nigel (2018): Svalbard Explorer. Visitor's Map of Svalbard Archipelago (Norway), Ocean Explorer Maps

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