In Jukkasjärvi, on the banks of the Torne River, the longest in all of Sweden, is the famous Ice Hotel, a spectacular work of art that has to be built by hand and carved every year.
The story of The Icehotel dates back to 1989, when Yngve Berggqvist built and carved a huge igloo on the frozen Torne River, which would serve as a unique art gallery.
As fate would have it, some visitors decided to spend the night in the village. Unfortunately, all the cabins and accommodations were already booked. Faced with the visitors' insistence, Yngve could think of nothing better than to offer them the igloo, an invitation they gladly accepted.
After arranging the igloo and instructing his guests on how to sleep in this particular ice shelter, in the harsh winter and already in the heart of the Arctic Circle, Yngve goes to sleep in the warmth of his home.
The next morning he returned and to his surprise, the guests were delighted and had lived one of the most incredible experiences of their lives.
The building is open every year between December and April. For its opening to the public at the end of the year, the Jukkasjärvi Icehotel is rebuilt annually. The work involves the various interior spaces as well as the furnishings. For example, water from the Torne River is used to make chairs and beds in the hotel.
Thanks to this original idea, the municipality of Jukkasjärvi began attracting visitors from all over the world. It has become a popular destination in Sweden, not only in summer but also during the colder months of the year.
The Ice Hotel has also received several awards over the years. It was named Nordic Brand of the Year in 2014 and won the World Travel Awards in 2012, 2014, and 2015.
The Jukkasjärvi Icehotel occupies an area of 6,000 square meters and features several rooms for visitors. It also houses restaurants, a bar, and an ice chapel. The latter is a popular destination for couples dreaming of a wedding in an unusual setting.
Since its opening in 1990, the facility has operated at temperatures below -5°C. Maintaining this temperature is essential for the hotel's existence. The interior of the Jukkasjärvi Icehotel also serves as an exhibition space for ice sculptures, such as those by the artist Jörgen Westin
It is located in the small town of Jukkasjärvi in the heart of Swedish Lapland.
From this remote place located about 200 km above the Arctic Circle, we can give some surprising facts:
- For two weeks in winter, the darkness is absolute. A long, fifteen-day night in which the sun never rises above the horizon.
- The same thing happens in summer, but this time with the day. A two-week-long day in which darkness is absent.
- In this remote village there are more dogs (1100) than inhabitants (900).
- Jukkasjärvi means in the local language: “meeting place in front of the water”.
From its beginnings in 1989, when Yngve Berggqvist built that igloo with his own hands, things have changed a lot. Three decades later, the ice hotel is still being built once a year. But the rudimentary techniques of traditional construction are a thing of the past.
Today, a multidisciplinary group of architects, sculptors, artists, and civil engineers are in charge of its design and construction to preserve the original essence of what that art gallery was and at the same time its originality.
Each year is completely different from the last. Designs and proposals are accepted from all over the world, and of the 120-150 designs received, 15 to 20 will be selected for implementation.
As the cold and winter arrive in Swedish Lapland, the waters of the wild Torne River gradually calm down until they are completely frozen.
In November, when the river has frozen and the ice is thick enough, the construction of the hotel begins.
The blocks of ice (weighing about 2 tons) that will be used for the construction of the building are taken from the very heart of the river.
A frantic 6-week project from the start of construction until the hotel is perfectly finished.
The Ice Hotel 365
In 2016, the decision was made to expand The Icehotel project, building The Icehotel 365, the world's first ice hotel open 365 days a year.
To achieve this, a permanent building is constructed, harmonious and perfectly integrated into the nature of Swedish Lapland.
Its exterior is obviously made of concrete and other materials (not ice). But its interior—rooms, suites, and restaurant—remains part of those blocks of ice dredged from the river in winter.
To keep this spectacle going throughout the summer months, enormous amounts of energy are needed. But paradoxically, it is the summer sun itself that makes this possible.
Thanks to an 875m2 solar panel installation, the entire building can be kept at -5ºC during the summer months, since it is precisely in the warmest months when there is hardly any darkness and the sun shines uninterruptedly in the sky.
The chairs, beds, and all other interior elements are carved from ice. To make the interior more comfortable for visitors, special equipment is provided to those who wish to spend one or more nights in a hotel room. This includes sleeping bags specifically designed for extreme conditions and reindeer hides. This equipment is necessary because the rooms are unheated. As in the rest of the Jukkasjärvi Icehotel, room temperatures are kept below 5°C.
The hotel's chapel is one of its most popular spaces. It functions like any other traditional church through close cooperation with the Church of Sweden. Since the hotel's construction was complete, this chapel has been available every year for Christmas Day Mass.
Belonging to one of the Seven Wonders of Sweden, the Chapel is a very famous destination for brides and grooms who dream of an original setting for their wedding day.
Sources: Discover Sweden and Home and Design
