Pyramiden

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Coal mining facilities in Pyramiden, 2005

Pyramiden (Norwegian, meaning "the pyramid", Russian: Пирамида) was a Russian settlement and coal mining community on the archipelago of Svalbard, Norway. It was founded by Sweden in 1910, and sold to the Soviet Union in 1927.

It lies at the foot of the Billefjord on the island of Spitsbergen, and is named for the pyramid-shaped mountain adjacent to the town. The settlement, with a one time population of 1,000 inhaibtants, was abandoned in the late-1990s by its owner, the state-owned Soviet company Trust Artikugol, and is now a ghost town. However, the Russians are planning to re-establish mining operations in Pyramiden sometime during 2006.

There are no restrictions on visiting Pyramiden. However, vistors may not enter any buildings without permission, even if the doors are open. Most buildings are now locked. Pyramiden is accessible by boat or snowmobile. Guided tours are available (in Russian, Norwegian, and English).

The nearest settlements are Spitsbergen's capital, Longyearbyen, 195 km to the south, and the small research community of Ny-Alesund, some 115 km to the west.

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