Svalbard Museum
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The Svalbard Museum offers a comprehensive overview of the islands’ 400-year history, from the first European discovery by Willem Barentsz in 1596 to the present day. The museum’s core exhibit, “Life in Light and Ice,” explores the unique relationship between nature and human activity in the Arctic, focusing on whaling, hunting, mining, scientific research, and tourism. The museum’s collections include thousands of historical artifacts, archaeological finds, archival books, and photographs, with a particular emphasis on the region’s whaling, Russian Pomor hunting, Norwegian trapping, coal mining, and polar exploration.It also showcases the geology, flora, and fauna of Svalbard, providing insight into the environmental conditions that have shaped life on the islands. Svalbard Museum is housed within the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) building and features family-friendly exhibitions with interactive elements for children. The museum has received international recognition, including the 2008 Council of Europe Museum Prize, for its contribution to understanding European cultural heritage. As of early 2023, the museum employs twelve staff members and manages a cultural history depository and laboratories containing 55,000 artifacts, as well as a digital photo archive with over 27,000 images. The museum shop offers a wide selection of Arctic literature, maps, and locally made souvenirs.Large parts of the museum’s photo collection are available online through DigitaltMuseum. Visitors consistently praise the museum for its well-organized exhibits, knowledgeable staff, and the depth of information provided, making it a valuable introduction to Svalbard’s past and present.
George Benaroya
00
The Svalbard Museum is a museum in Longyearbyen, the largest town in the Svalbard archipelago. The museum displays artifacts from the history of Svalbard since its settlement, and exhibits of local plants and animals. Its exhibitions describe the factors that support human activity in Svalbard, showing the close relationship between nature and human cultural history on the islands. "Life in Light and Ice" is the museum's core exhibit. It describes the history of the archipelago, from the first whalers to the present society based on mining, research, and tourism. The museum is housed in the University Centre in Svalbard building. The Svalbard Museum was awarded the 2008 Council of Europe Museum Prize, awarded annually by the Committee on Culture, Science and Education of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (under the European Museum of the Year Award scheme of the European Museum Forum)). The award is given annually to a European museum which (among other criteria) is judged to have made a significant contribution to the understanding of European cultural heritage.
Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus
00
I strongly recommend that you go and visit this beautiful museum. it is small but rich in knowledge especially for those who like me are passionate about the Arctic environment. You will have the opportunity to learn a lot about the ecosystem of Svalbard, the local flora and fauna. there is a great cocooning area that I really liked, you can sit on the animal skins to read a book and continue your cultural immersion. Take the time to read, cosite and immerse yourself in the places. for my part the visit took me about 2 hours because I really made the effort to read and learn. There is a small souvenir shop at the entrance with very interesting books. thank you again to the nice lady at the reception who explained everything to us and took her time to talk about Svalbard in general.
Adel S
00
A beautiful place to visit 😄 I would honestly recommend taking the time to come and see this as it is a beautiful place full of interest and information. Not to mention you can touch real polar bear fur on an interactive display without being labelled a nuisance to the local population (which is something no-one wants) this has to be the most beautiful un-disturbed part of the world I have ever seen. The history of Svalbard is laid bare from whaling to mining industries to it's current state of tourism. But you get to see the bare roots of how it all came to be. 10/10 If you are ever in Svalbard this is a place to visit.
Chris
00
We went to this museum as a part of our Hurtiguten cruise while we were in Longyearbyen. As a tradition you have to remove your shoes or put a plastic bag before you enter inside. Interior is quite different from other museum, but what they have is the history of Savalbard and it's settlement, research activities, coal mining, and interesting information about wildlife. I had a mix feeling about this place. First you find it interesting to learn about the history, but later you realize the sad part about animals. It's not free unless you are on a certain cruise with Hurtiguten.
Prashant Shukla
00
Must do to know everything about Svalbard The museum is really complete, you will read about the formation of the archipelago, the discovery of Svalbard, overwintering, hunting, finding coal, wildlife, ww2 and will end with climate change and research made here. You can easily spend 2 to 3 hours reading everything. Kids will also have a good time, they will se some animals, they can crawl through a coal tunnel and play as archeologists! Overall, really nice museum, I still think the price is a bit expensive though. (Adult price is 150 nok).
Mango
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Nearby Attractions Of Svalbard Museum
Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, Spitsbergen
Mary-Ann's Polarrigg
Svalbard kirke
North Pole Expedition Museum
Svalbard Hotell | The Vault
Svalbard Adventures
Snowfox Travel
Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, Spitsbergen
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Mary-Ann's Polarrigg
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Svalbard kirke
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North Pole Expedition Museum
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Nearby Restaurants Of Svalbard Museum
Restaurant Kroa (Steakers Svalbard AS)
Mary-Ann’s Vinterhagen Restaurant & Peisen Bar
NUGA Sushi & Noodles
Saenphet Thai
Restaurant Kroa (Steakers Svalbard AS)
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Mary-Ann’s Vinterhagen Restaurant & Peisen Bar
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NUGA Sushi & Noodles
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Saenphet Thai
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Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), Vei 231 - 1, Forskningsparken SJ, Longyearbyen 9170, Svalbard & Jan Mayen
Map
Phone
+47 79 02 64 90
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Website
svalbardmuseum.no
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.6
(736 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
family friendly
accessibility
Description
The Svalbard Museum is a museum in Longyearbyen, the largest town in the Svalbard archipelago. The museum displays artifacts from the history of Svalbard since its settlement, and exhibits of local plants and animals.
attractions: Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, Spitsbergen, Mary-Ann's Polarrigg, Svalbard kirke, North Pole Expedition Museum, Svalbard Hotell | The Vault, Svalbard Adventures, Snowfox Travel, restaurants: Restaurant Kroa (Steakers Svalbard AS), Mary-Ann’s Vinterhagen Restaurant & Peisen Bar, NUGA Sushi & Noodles, Saenphet Thai
