The largest city beyond the Arctic Circle, the base of the icebreaker fleet, the hero city, the sea gate of the Arctic. Murmansk was founded only in 1916 and cannot boast of a large number of historical sights. Nevertheless, it is an interesting and original land that attracts tourists with the splendor of the harsh northern landscapes.
The center of city life is the Five Corners Square. This is a favorite place for walks and holidays among locals. There are many memorials in Murmansk dedicated to military and naval themes. Numerous museums introduce the history and cultural heritage of the region. You can learn about the flora and fauna of the Arctic by visiting the oceanarium, ostrich farm, Lapland nature reserve.
And, of course, all travelers dream of seeing one of the most breathtaking natural phenomena - the northern lights.
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What to see and where to go in Murmansk?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Kola Bay
The Gulf of the Barents Sea, protruding inland, is 57 km long and 1 to 7 km wide. It got its name from the ancient Russian settlement of Kola. The port of Polyarny is located on the western steep coast. On the eastern, flatter coast, the ports of Murmansk and Severomorsk are located. Two large rivers flow into the bay - Kola and Tuloma. Thanks to the warm Gulf Stream, the water does not freeze here. In Murmansk, beautiful views of the bay open from observation platforms at the monuments to Waiting and Alyosha, as well as from Cape Abram.
Memorial "Alyosha"
The majestic memorial dedicated to all the defenders of the Polar Region during the war was erected in 1974 on one of the highest hills in Murmansk - Cape Zeleny. The 35-meter figure of a Soviet soldier with a machine gun behind his shoulders is affectionately called Alyosha by the townspeople. The Eternal Flame burns at its foot. Nearby there is an alley of hero cities and a granite stele with the names of all military units that defended the Kola Peninsula from German invaders.
Hotel "Arctic"
Located in the central city square. It has been leading its history since 1933. The current 18-storey building was erected in 1984 and became the tallest on the Kola Peninsula. After reconstruction in 2014, Arktika joined the international hotel chain Azimut Hotels. Today, the hotel and business complex includes a 4-star hotel with 186 rooms, a business center, offices, conference rooms, shops, restaurants, two-level parking, etc.
"To the sailors who died in peacetime"
One of the most famous memorials in Murmansk was opened in 2002 on the shores of Lake Semenovskoye. Its central part is an 18-meter lighthouse tower. Inside it is the Hall of Remembrance, which contains a book with the names of all sailors who did not return home in peaceful days. Also, the memorial includes a ship's anchor, a fragment of the cabin raised from the Kursk submarine and an Orthodox church. All parts of the complex are connected by stairs and equipped with viewing platforms.
Church "Savior on the Waters"
It was built in 2002 with donations from Murmansk residents. It is an integral part of the memorial in honor of the sailors who died in peace days. It is a classic one-apse temple in the Old Russian style with a bell tower. The name is associated with the icon of Jesus Christ walking on water. Other shrines include the icons of the miracle worker Seraphim of Sarov, St. Matrona of Moscow, the Optina elders, and the righteous admiral Ushakov. Services with sign language interpretation are held for deaf parishioners.
Nuclear icebreaker "Lenin"
The legendary giant ship with a nuclear installation, which had no analogues in the world before, was developed in the USSR in the 50s of the last century. It was used to provide navigation along the Northern Sea Route. Since 1989, the icebreaker, which has served for 30 years, has been permanently moored in the seaport of Murmansk. After renovation, it was converted into a museum. During the excursion, you can see the engine room, wardroom, dining room, medical unit and other premises.
Monument "Waiting"
An eternal symbol of devotion and loyalty to wives and mothers waiting on the shore for their beloved men from the voyage. Got embodied in the image of a young woman standing on a high pier with a bouquet of flowers and welcoming the long-awaited ship. The monument was created at the expense of the townspeople and was solemnly installed in 2012 on the shore of the Kola Bay. It can be clearly seen from the sea. A small park is laid out near the sculpture, as well as an observation deck.
Monument to Anatoly Bredov
The sculptural monument to the Hero of the Soviet Union, brave machine gunner Anatoly Bredov was opened in the center of Murmansk in 1958. In one of the fierce battles during the Great Patriotic War, left without ammunition, a 19-year-old guy blew himself up with the Germans with the last anti-tank grenade. Residents of Murmansk decided to immortalize the heroic deed of a brave fellow countryman in bronze. The three-meter sculpture depicts a soldier with a grenade in his hand at the moment of his last step into immortality.
Monument to the Victims of the Intervention
Located in the central part of the city. It was erected in 1927 on the burial place of prisoners imprisoned by foreign invaders in 1918-20, as well as the fallen participants of the liberation uprising in February 1920. It is a reinforced concrete structure in the form of a two-tiered tribune, surrounded by pillars and anchor chains. A memorial plaque dedicated to the victims of the intervention is fixed on a granite block in the center of the memorial.
Murmansk Regional Museum of Local Lore
The expositions are located in 17 exhibition halls and tell about the development, important historical milestones, cultural traditions and natural resources of the northern region. The museum was opened in 1926. Among its unique exhibits are a geological collection from the depths of the Kola well, a diorama on the theme of the animal world with imitation of aurora borealis, household items and interiors of indigenous peoples' dwellings, materials on the development of the legendary Northern Sea Route, etc.
Murmansk Regional Art Museum
Museum collections are kept in one of the oldest buildings in the city, built in 1927. The house was badly damaged during the war. Only in the late 1980s was its restoration completed, and an art gallery, the only one in the Arctic, was housed here. Its funds consist of more than 7 thousand exhibits. Extensive collections of graphics, paintings, both past centuries and modern times, works of sculptors and the best examples of folk crafts are presented.
Murmansk Regional Drama Theater
One of the most popular theaters in Murmansk was opened in 1939. For a long time, the performances took place on the stage of the city House of Culture. Since 1963, the theater has acquired its own building, located on Lenin Avenue. Its modern repertoire consists of performances for adults and children based on classical works, as well as contemporary drama. The Murmansk Drama Theater is the initiator of the "Polar Star" festival.
Museum of the history of OJSC "MMP"
The opening of the Museum of the Shipping Company took place in 1977. Its three halls display exhibitions dedicated to the transport and icebreaker fleets, legendary ships and prominent figures of the nuclear fleet, heroic sailors and officers. Of particular interest is the large canvas of the diorama on the development of the Northern Sea Route. Also among the exhibits are models of ships and a nuclear reactor, ship instruments, portraits of the brave conquerors of the Arctic.
Naval Museum of the Northern Fleet
Unique exhibits and materials on the history of the creation and development of the Northern Fleet, starting in 1693, are presented in this museum. It opened in 1946 in the Officers' House and consists of 10 halls with an area of more than 1,000 m2... The museum funds contain models of various ships, maps, banners, awards, weapons, personal belongings of sailors and officers, photographic documents and works of fine art. A total of 65 thousand valuable exhibits have been collected.
Murmansk Oceanarium
Since 1996, residents and guests of Murmansk have had the opportunity to learn more about the marine life of the Arctic. The building of the aquarium is located on Lake Semenovskoye. All year round, 3 times a day, there are performances with pinnipeds - Arctic seals, bearded seal, ringed seal. Also, the staff of the center conducts comprehensive studies of mammals, studies their behavior, and has developed a seal therapy program for sick children.
Train Station
The building of the very first station in Murmansk was erected in 1916. Later it was rebuilt twice. In 1923 - after a fire, and in 1954 - after a war devastation. The current two-story light green building is designed in the traditional Soviet style - with white columns, a dome in the center and a 15-meter spire topped with a star. The station contains 4 platforms, numerous crossings, tunnels, 15 railway tracks.
Bridge over the Kola Bay
One of the longest bridges in Russia has been under construction for over 10 years and was inaugurated in 2005. It connects the regional center with the western regions, as well as neighboring Norway and Finland. Length - 2.5 km, there are 4 car lanes. Serves as a platform for the annual sports festival called "Murmansk Mile". Within its framework, competitions in athletics, aircraft modeling, volleyball, sailing regatta and other sports are held.
Abram Cape
The cape is located on the western coast of the Kola Bay, opposite the central part of the city. During the war years, air defense units were located here, defending the bay and important city facilities. In memory of those events, a memorial complex was created - anti-aircraft guns, fighters, commemorative plaques. There is also an observation deck with excellent views of the bay, the seaport and all the main attractions of Murmansk. The microdistrict of the same name is located on the slopes.
Waterfall on the Lavna River
The small rapids river Lavna carries its waters from Lake Lovno to the Kola Bay. The waterfall on it is small, 4-5 m in height, but very full-flowing and picturesque, especially in spring. The water rolls down the rocky ledges with a crash, boils and foams. A breathtaking sight. It is located 20 km from Murmansk, in the vicinity of the village of Abram-Mys. A popular resting place among the townspeople. There are many fish in the river - brown trout, burbot, trout, pike.
Teriberka
A small village 130 km from Murmansk, "end of the earth" on the coast of the Barents Sea. It was once famous for its ship repair shops, fishing industry, dairy farms. Today, complete devastation reigns here - decayed boats, rusted ship skeletons, abandoned houses, piles of twisted scrap metal. In 2014, Teriberka was recognized all over the world thanks to the released film "Leviathan", it was in this village that its key scenes were filmed.
