Permafrost Kingdom, Underground ice museum near Mount Chochur Muran, Yakutsk, Russia.
Permafrost Kingdom is an underground ice museum with two illuminated tunnels extending about 150 meters below the surface. The connected chambers display ice sculptures and frozen art installations that take advantage of the region's natural cold.
The museum began as a Soviet-era food storage cellar that was later transformed into a public attraction. It opened to visitors in November 2008, repurposing the natural permafrost conditions for its displays.
The ice sculptures feature figures from Sakha mythology and Russian winter culture. Here, ice is not just a material but part of how locals express their identity and artistic traditions.
Upon arrival, visitors receive protective gear because interior temperatures reach minus 4 degrees Celsius in summer and minus 10 degrees Celsius in winter. The provided equipment helps you stay comfortable during your time in the cold.
The museum uses adjacent natural caves as cooling spaces, a system that demonstrates the region's traditional food preservation methods. This natural infrastructure allows the ice sculptures to be maintained without additional artificial refrigeration.
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