Visit the Cableway Central

Step inside a piece of Longyearbyen’s industrial history

Perched above the town on tall concrete pillars, the Taubanesentralen is one of Longyearbyen’s most striking landmarks. Once the core of Svalbard’s coal transport system, this structure played a vital role in moving coal from the mines to the harbour.

As you arrive in Longyearbyen, it’s hard to miss the remnants of the old cableway. Towers dot the landscape of Longyeardalen and Adventdalen, tracing the path coal once travelled. Among the buildings still standing, Taubanesentralen is the most distinctive. Built in 1957 on the site of the original cableway centre, it remained in use until 1987 and continues to tower over the town as a powerful reminder of its mining past.

Today, you’re invited to explore the inside of this preserved building, where much has remained untouched since operations ceased. Get a feel for what life was like for the workers who braved the cold in a drafty structure with no insulation, and discover how this facility once served as the logistical hub of Longyearbyen’s coal operations.

From the top, you'll get sweeping views across Adventdalen and Adventfjorden, with Longyearbyen laid out below. The panorama alone makes the climb worthwhile.