Warehouse, Agricultural service, Cold storage facility, Federal government office, Non-profit organization, Seed supplier, Tourist attraction
Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Built deep inside an Arctic mountain near Longyearbyen, this highly secure seed bank holds backup samples of crop seeds from gene banks worldwide; only its striking illuminated entrance can be seen.
The story
Often called the Doomsday Vault, the facility exists to protect global crop diversity. The site was chosen for its naturally cold climate and its permafrost, which acts as a natural freezer, and for a remote, politically stable location safe from floods and earthquakes. The modest entrance gives little sense of the storage behind it, which runs nearly 130 metres into the mountain. The building is closed to the public, so there is little to see beyond the exterior door and a few information boards nearby explaining its importance and how it was founded. Set on a hill a short drive uphill from the airport, it has views over Longyearbyen airport. After dark, an artwork by a Norwegian artist lights up the facade, especially striking in polar night or under the aurora.
Good to know
TAGGG AI- ✦The vault lies outside the town's polar bear safety zone, so come on a guided trip or by car rather than on foot.
- ✦There are no toilets at the site, so plan ahead before heading up.
- ✦Visit after dark if you can, when the lit-up entrance is at its most striking, particularly during polar night.