Barentsburg is an old mining village in Svalbard, producing coal. Barentsburg started as a Dutch mining town in the 1920s. In 1932 the Dutch sold their concession to the Soviet Union. Since 1932 the Russian state-owned Arktikugol Trust has been operating on Svalbard.
A museum of Pomor culture, Arctic flora and fauna, including unique archeological objects preserved in the permafrost, works in the town. Normally it is open when a daily boat from Longyear arrives (in summer months only), and by special arrangement. There is a sport complex, including a swimming pool with heated seawater. Beyond the mining-related activity, there is a scientific research center in Barentsburg. Each summer season, several dozens of researchers from Russia and other countries work here, notably geophysicists, geologists, archeologists, biologists, glaciologists, geographers, etc. Year-round meteorological observatory and the northernmost cosmic rays station work in the town too.
16/8 2023. The cache has been updated by alexanderper. Thank you so very much!
The distance from Longyearbyen to Barentsburg is about 55 km but there are no roads connecting the two settlements. Most contact between the two is by boat, snowmobile or helicopter. Tourist visitors usually arrive by boat, 2-3 hours from Longyearbyen. The coal is freighted by ship. The port is located in the middle of Barentsburg.
Barentsburg has a hotel, post office and nowadays a local brewery. Sometimes you can taste the beer at the brewery, but it is also served at the hotel bar.
The cache has been replaced by Alexanderper on 16th of august 2023. Thank you Alexanderper. It is a pet-tube. Be careful with the cache, because there are not many chances to replace it