At the outskirts of civilization, not far from the North Pole, lies the town of Pyramiden. It’s located on the remote Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. At first glance, this is a desolate-looking place, surrounded by towering mountains and glaciers and vast open skies. You will find more polar bears and arctic foxes here than people. For much of the year, you can count the number of permanent human residents on two hands.
The USSR bought the Pyramiden coal mines in 1927. This clever purchase gave the Soviets a foothold in the disputed Arctic region, and the town was also intended to be used as a showcase to display the lifestyle that a socialist society could offer. The amenities there were unheard of to Soviet citizens on the mainland at the time, so being sent to work in Pyramiden was considered something of a promotion. In its heyday, the people had access to a theater, a library, a sports complex, art and music studios, a swimming pool, and a cantina with unlimited food which was open 24 hours a day. Unimaginable luxury compared to the Soviet mainland!
The coal operation in Pyramiden outlasted the Soviet Union, closing its doors on March 31, 1998. The residents abandoned the town shortly thereafter, leaving the buildings at the mercy of the elements. For years, the only residents of this place were the colonies of seabirds that made some of the buildings their homes.
Luckily for us, Pyramiden reopened for limited tourism in 2007. The buildings here were designed to last, and you can take tours to see the Soviet-era architecture trapped in time, complete with KGB offices and the northernmost bust of Vladimir Lenin in the world. Inside the buildings, you can see incredible examples of Soviet-style mosaics and other works of art. These days, there is even the newly refurbished Hotel Pyramiden, complete with its own bar and restaurant.