Barentsburg

Barentsburg from above.jpg|1200px

Barentsburg ((Баренцбург)), located on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen in the Arctic Ocean, is a small mining town that serves as a Russia|Russian outpost in the region. It was founded in 1920 by the Soviet Union and is currently home to around 500 people, mostly Russians. Despite its remote location and harsh weather conditions, Barentsburg has managed to survive and even thrive over the years, thanks in part to its unique import strategy.

Introduction to Barentsburg

The history of Barentsburg dates back to the early 20th century when it was established by a Dutch mining company. The settlement was named after the famous Dutch navigator Willem Barents who discovered Spitsbergen in 1596. However, during World War II, the settlement was abandoned and later taken over by the Soviet Union in 1946.

Since then, Barentsburg has been under Russian control and has become an important center for mining and research in the Arctic. The settlement has a population of approximately 500 people, mostly made up of Russian miners and their families. The settlement is also home to a number of facilities including a hospital, a school, a hotel, and a cultural center.

Barentsburg-Church-2019 - Barentsburg-Church-2019]]

The geo-political significance of Barentsburg is rooted in its strategic location. The Arctic is becoming increasingly important due to its potential as a major shipping route, as well as its vast natural resources including oil, gas, and minerals. With melting ice opening up new areas for exploration and exploitation, the Arctic is seen as a key battleground for nations seeking to stake their claim in the region.

For Russia, Barentsburg represents an important foothold in the Arctic. The settlement provides Russia with a strategic base for exploration and exploitation of the Arctic's resources. It also serves as a center for Russian research in the region, allowing them to gather valuable data on climate change and its impact on the Arctic.

Furthermore, the settlement represents a key symbol of Russia's presence in the Arctic, which is seen as a vital aspect of their national identity. In recent years, Russia has been increasing its military presence in the Arctic, and Barentsburg is believed to be an important part of these efforts.

Despite its strategic importance, Barentsburg faces a number of challenges. The settlement's economy is heavily dependent on mining, which is becoming increasingly unprofitable due to declining global demand for coal. Additionally, the settlement's isolation and harsh climate make it a challenging place to live and work.

In conclusion, Barentsburg represents a crucial outpost for Russia's geopolitical presence in the Arctic. The settlement provides Russia with a strategic base for exploration, research, and resource exploitation in the region. However, Barentsburg also faces significant challenges as it seeks to maintain its role in the rapidly evolving Arctic landscape.

Orientation

From the dock, it is a climb of around 220 steps up to the main street, which is known as "ulitsa Ivana Starostina." Along this street, you can find most of the town's amenities, including shops, restaurants, and bars. Despite its small size, Barentsburg has a unique and fascinating history, having been founded in the early 20th century as a Russian mining settlement. Today, it is still home to a small community of residents, and visitors can explore its many intriguing sights and attractions.

How to travel to Barentsburg

Image:Barentsburg Mine Dock - The docks at Barentsburg.

What is the best way to fly to Barentsburg

Barentsburg is home to a heliport operated by the Russian company SPARK+. The heliport facilitates transportation for the mining company Trust Arktikugol, which is limited to use within its mining activities. Chartered tourist transport is not permitted. The heliport has one Mi-8 helicopter, and the flight from Longyearbyen Airport to Barentsburg takes around 15 minutes. Upon arrival, travelers are transported to Barentsburg via a shuttle van that travels along the 4-km road connecting the heliport to the settlement.

By sea

Most visitors arrive from Longyearbyen on daytrips (2–3 hours one way by boat).In summer, there are also occasional cargo and passenger boats to Murmansk on the Russian mainland (3 days).

By foot

There are no roads to Barentsburg and it's a two days solid hiking from Longyearbyen to Barentsburg on foot in the summer. The easiest way (starting from Longyearbyen) is to head off from the end of the road in Björndalen, go up on the mountain of Fuglefjella, continue past the valley of Grumant and descend to the coast along a small creek after 2-3 kilometers. The hike should take about 6–7 hours. The night can be spent in either the Rusanov cabin outside of the old mining settlement of Coles Bay (closed in 1962) or in one of the buildings of Coles Bay itself (recommended in summer only). The next day is a slightly longer hike (7–9 hours), but in flat terrain, crossing the Coles Valley and continuing along Kapp Laila before arriving the heliport at Heerodden outside Barentsburg. There is a road from Heerodden to the settlement itself.

By snowmobile

In winter, travel by snowmobile is a more popular option and day trips are offered by tour operators in Longyearbyen it's a fantastic ride and well recommended.

How to get around in Barentsburg

Barentsburg is easily covered on foot.

Local Language in Barentsburg

Russian is the main language, spoken by the majority of the population. Government officials speak Norwegian.

What to see in Barentsburg

Image:Barentsburg Lenin MirUMir - Lenin, housing blocks and Miru Mir (Peace to the World)]]

One of the most notable attractions in Barentsburg is the wooden orthodox chapel, which was built in 1996 to commemorate the 140 victims of a plane crash. The chapel is a peaceful and serene place to visit, with beautiful wooden architecture and intricate details that are characteristic of Russian orthodox churches.

Another must-see spot in Barentsburg is the statue of Lenin, which is located in the town's central square. While it may not be the world's most northern statue of Lenin (that distinction belongs to Pyramiden), it is still a popular spot for tourists to take pictures and admire the communist iconography.

For those interested in the history of the town and the region, the Pomor Museum is a great place to visit. The museum showcases the history of the Pomor people, who were Russian settlers that lived in the region and contributed to its development. The museum also features exhibits on local flora and fauna, as well as geological formations and artifacts from the mining industry.

Another interesting feature of Barentsburg is the five-pointed star and the Communist-era slogan "Peace to the World" that can be seen on the hillside above the town. The sign has both historical and practical significance, serving as a reminder of the town's communist past and also as a marker for the end of the polar night.

Shopping in Barentsburg

The Norwegian currency kroner are used in Barentsburg and prices for touristic activities are adjusted to Norwegian levels.

• Polar Star - in the cultural center - Souvenir shop offering matryoshka dolls, Lenin pins and assorted other Soviet-Russian souvenirs.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Barentsburg

Locals eat cabbage soup (shchi) in their canteen for free, but tourists will normally be limited to meals at the hotel (30-70 kr).

No other food available

Buy Muslim Friendly Condos, Houses and Villas in Barentsburg

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Muslim Friendly hotels in Barentsburg

Barensburg Hotel, Svalbard, Norway - The only hotel in town, the Barentsburg Hotel.

There is precisely one public accommodation option.

• //2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&children=&cityId=9143&currency=eur&destination=Hotel+Barentsburg&hotelId=47339998&language=en&marker=206204.Zz9464f07efafc4d0999abb14-206204&locale=en Barentsburg Hotel GPS 78.061776,14.217886 ☎ +47 79 021814 - Double rooms from 550 kr Reasonably new (1988) and in fairly good shape.

Telecommunications

The //2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&children=&cityId=9143&currency=eur&destination=Hotel+Barentsburg&hotelId=47339998&language=en&marker=206204.Zz9464f07efafc4d0999abb14-206204&locale=en Barentsburg Hotel has a post office for sending mail. It's a branch of the Longyearbyen post office and thus uses Norwegian stamps (and Norwegian prices), but they do have their own postmark.

There is a small Russian consulate on Barentsburg, which could theoretically issue you a Russian visa. (Don't count on it though, certainly not without checking ahead. A Russian visa application is a complicated process and you can't just show up to get one. For example, you need a confirmed and paid hotel booking before applying.)

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