Wow, what an incredible finale!
I chose to conclude my journey at a historically significant location. While yesterday showcased modern First Nations culture, today reflects the first landing point of European explorers.
Throughout the year, I intentionally avoided visually uninteresting historic sites, but I made an exception for this final destination.
This place is absolutely stunning. It may be a historic site, but it has been transformed into an outdoor museum featuring captivating recreations of life during the Viking settlement. These Vikings arrived after the indigenous peoples but before any other European settlers.
The structures you see today are replicas of the original homes and they look quite authentic, complete with grassy roofs. The true original sites are now archaeological markers, preserved from tourist access. For photographers, these sites may not provide much, as they have been covered again to ensure their preservation.
This entire area is breathtaking, nestled along a bay in Newfoundland, far north of where most tourists venture. The meadows surrounding the site are vibrant and green, and the rugged Atlantic coastline complements the robust style of the Viking houses.
| Image from Flickr/Douglas Sprott via CC BY NC 2.0 |
| Image from Flickr/Daniel Pouliot via CC BY NC ND 2.0 |
| Image from Flickr/Christopher Porter via CC BY NC ND 2.0 |
Visiting this site requires a car, as far as I know, there is no public or private transportation available. It’s quite remote and located at the northern tip of the Northern Peninsula. While there might be another location slightly further north, this is essentially the northernmost point of Newfoundland, which demands some planning to reach.
There is an entrance fee, but at under $12, it’s a worthwhile investment, especially given the effort involved in making the journey north.
It’s no surprise that this destination ranks as the top attraction in the area according to TripAdvisor. It’s not just a national historic site; it’s also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unique historical significance that has changed the course of history. For more information, you can visit the official federal site or the provincial tourism site.
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