Longyearbyen’s Cultural Heritage Through Film

Longyearbyen's numerous cultural monuments tell a story of lives lived, hard work, and industrial development in one of the world's most inhospitable places. Through a series of films, you can dive into Longyearbyen's fascinating mining history, narrated by local voices and personal experiences.

Throughout Svalbard, there are signs of human presence over the ages. Uniquely, cultural monuments dating before 1946 are automatically protected. Much of the cultural heritage across the archipelago is closely intertwined with the history of hunting and expeditions. In Longyearbyen, however, almost all cultural monuments are linked to 120 years of mining.

Coal mining in Longyearbyen began as early as 1905 under the leadership of the American John Munro Longyear. The entire existence of Longyearbyen is founded on coal, which has influenced everything from settlement patterns to social structures. Coal has given Longyearbyen its distinctive character and identity.

In the small town near the North Pole, the industrial heritage is clearly visible. In the films placed at the bottom of this article, we take a closer look at this proud cultural heritage. The films are produced by Visit Svalbard, with financial support from the Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund.

The History Bearers of Longyearbyen

An important part of the cultural heritage is the iconic cabelway towers, which for many are the very symbol of Longyearbyen's history. The protected wooden structures, winding through the settlement, were support points for the cableway that transported coal from the mines to the harbor. Although the cabelway is no longer in use, these towers remain vital elements in the cultural landscape. The local population has a close and fond relationship with the tramway towers, often using them as stops and resting places.

Another important historical landmark is the Cabelway Central, the hub for coal transportation. Here, the coal was transported by various cableways before being reloaded and sent to the quay. From 1957, the Cabelway Central played a major role in the efficiency of coal transportation until trucks took over in 1987. The Aerial Tramway Central now stands as a silent memory at the top of the town, both fascinating and evoking curiosity. With its unique futuristic appearance, it piques interest, and many newcomers find themselves speculating about what the building was originally used for.

Among the cultural monuments, we also find the old coal power plant, which from 1920 to 1983 supplied Longyearbyen with energy and heat. Local efforts are underway to secure the old power plant so that it can be reopened as a cultural and educational venue, remaining a window into history.

Gruve 3: Longyearbyen's Visitor Mine

At 78 degrees north, the mines are numbered based on the time the different coal deposits were discovered.

When visiting Longyearbyen, it's hard to miss the buildings associated with Mine 2. The so-called daytime facility clings faithfully to the mountainside outside the town center, serving as an honest and important tradition bearer. For safety reasons, it is prohibited to approach the buildings, which are best viewed from a distance. There is only one person with exclusive access, and that is Santa Claus during the pre-Christmas season.

Gruve 3, Mine 3, however, welcomes visitors year-round. As the only visitor mine, Mine 3 offers a unique opportunity to understand the harsh daily life of the miners. Here, skilled guides from Store Norske Spitsbergen Coal Company take you deep into the darkest mountain.

Interestingly, part of Svalbard's modern history also lies within the walls of Mine 3. The old seed vault, a predecessor to the more famous Svalbard Global Seed Vault, is located here. The mine also houses the Arctic World Archive, a facility for storing data within the permafrost.

The Importance of Cultural Heritage

In a community with frequent population turnover, preserving and communicating cultural heritage is extremely important. Cultural heritage is in many ways our collective memory. It helps to build pride and identity in a time of change.

Conveying cultural heritage to visitors enhances their understanding of the place they are visiting, which in turn fosters increased respect and humility.

We hope that whether you are a guest or a local, you will use these rich films to dive into Longyearbyen's history. With increased insight, you contribute to awareness and preservation.

We also encourage everyone to act cautiously around cultural heritage, for the safety of both yourself and the cultural monuments.