A Soviet mining town left standing under the pyramid-shaped mountain, that gave it it’s name, as if the last shift had gone to lunch and never returned.
Identical industrial blocks, a cultural palace, a swimming pool with no water, and a bust of Lenin still facing the fjord. Nature has begun to claim back the streets, whilst a handful of people keep a hotel and a canteen running for the visitors.
Identical industrial blocks, a cultural palace, a swimming pool with no water, and a bust of Lenin still facing the fjord. Nature has begun to claim back the streets, whilst a handful of people keep a hotel and a canteen running for the visitors.
The settlement was built by the Soviets on the west shore of Billefjorden, about 110km from Longyearbyen, and run by Trust Arktikugol. Mining stopped in 1998, and most residents left in a season. Since then a small crew has kept lights on in the Tulip Hotel and shown visitors through the empty blocks. It does not feel ruined so much as paused – a complete town with the population switched off.
Photo credits: Tripadvisor , “L1020776.jpg” by Frode Bjorshol, CC BY 2.0 , “Svalbard” by Christopher Michel, CC BY 2.0 , “L1020761.jpg” by Frode Bjorshol, CC BY 2.0 , “L1020789.jpg” by Frode Bjorshol, CC BY 2.0
