A new route to aerogels: Monolithic silica cryogels

► We have explored several routes to synthesize monolithic silica cryogels. ► We highlight two routes to monoliths with similarities to the corresponding aerogels. ► Low freezing temperatures and fast cooling rates favor monolithicity. ► Uniform networks and a high degree of 3-D cross-linking correlate with monolithicity. ► Compared to aerogels, cryogels exhibit larger pores (macro- and/or mesopores).