Murmansk

Sitting near the top of the world, 200 km north of the Arctic Circle, Murmansk is where you will find Russia's Northern Fleet, wide-open tundra and some great mineral museums. Visit Murmansk in the summer for endless days, hiking and camping, and in the winter for skiing. Watch as the Northern Lights illuminate the sky as they dance in green, red and yellow.

While many may not see an obvious reason to visit Murmansk, anyone who is interested in visiting an un-spoiled northern landscape and doing some great camping and hiking should make this their first destination. More accessible (by train and during summer by plane as well) than other areas above the Artic Circle, Murmansk is close to national parks where you can go on either guided or unguided excursions into the wilderness and see some remarkable landscapes and wildlife.

Almost due north of Saint Petersburg, Murmansk is the largest city within the Arctic Circle. This important port on the shores of Kola Bay is warmed by the waters of the Gulf Stream and is free of ice throughout the year. It was built with British assistance during World War I. The Northern Lights are seen here in November and December and in March the Sports Festival of the Peoples of the North is held. Murmansk, founded in 1916, is located behind the Northern Polar circle. It is the largest seaport, which is free of ice throughout the year. Murmansk is the most important base of fishing industry in Russia. Shipbuilding and repairing of vessels is the main part of Murmansk industry. Murmansk is often called "the Arctic gates", as the city is the starting point of the Northern Sea way and the base of the icebreaking (including atomic) fleet. The city is an important scientific and cultural center of the region. Significant oceanographic and polar institutions are located in Murmansk. Every year Murmansk is getting more and more popular as the center of international tourism. Excursions to the giant ships, beautiful northern nature and exotic animals, as well as cruises across the northern seas guarantee an unforgettable trip.

Murmansk's development has started just in the beginning of this century. Before that, the Kola Peninsula was inhabited only by the Skolt Lapps and a few Russian settlers. The main sources of livlihood are fishing, shipping and the navy. This is a great sight to see largely because of the unique Arctic nature. The peninsula is covered by thousands of lakes and dense forests. Here you'll observe the polar day in summer and the polar night in winter.

Memorials, monuments & other important buildings:
  • Memorial "To the defenders of the Soviet North during the Great Patriotic War 1941 — 1945
  • Monument "To the Victims of intervention 1918 — 1920"
The first monument in Murmansk. Later, public garden was made round the monument — the first in the city too. There was the central square — Square of Freedom, where meetings and demonstrations were held.
  • Monument to S. M. Kirov
Many events are connected in our city with the name of this person. He was the first secretary of Leningrad Regional Communist Party Committee in 1926 — 1934, during the period when Murmansk was the part of Leningrad Region.
  • Monument to V. I. Lenin
Lenin avenue — wide main road of the city, lilac bushes and rowan trees on both sides. In 20th years it's name was Soviet — and it differed from the present one. The new name was given to it when V. I. Lenin died. In 1957 the solemn unveil of the monument to Lenin had occurred on Lenin avenue.
  • Monument to Anatoly Bredov
The monument to Anatoly Bredov was solemnly opened on the 9th of May. He perished on the 11th of October 1944, having blew himself and enemies by the last granade.
  • Memorial in honor of the military concord of the countries of anti-Hitler alliance during the World War II
  • Murmansk regional Museum of Local Lore
It was based on the 17th of October, 1926.The first exposition was devoted to the 10th Anniversary of the Soviet Power. The modern 4-storied building of the Museum — one of the most remarkable buildings of the city. In the Honorable Visitors Book there are the names of the outstanding guests such as F. Castro, Y. Gagarin, R. Karmen, K. Simonov, well-known journalists, scientists, travelers.
  • Murmansk regional Scientific Library
This library was founded in 1938 when new territorial division was organized in Murmansk region. The total area of its present building, built in 1970 makes 6000 s.m. 500 persons can visit the library at the same time. There are 18 complex and branch departments. The universal fund consists of 2,5 million books. About 800 kinds of newspapers and magazines are being subscribed.
  • Murmansk regional Art Museum
The Museum building was built in October 1927 — the first stone 3-storied building in the city. It is situated in the center of Murmansk in the cozy public garden among the different kinds of northern trees and bushes. The works of Russian art from the funds of Museum of Local Lore are the bases of the exposition . They are the paintings, drawings, sculptures, works of the decorative-applied art received from the Ministry of Culture of the USSR, Art Fund of Russia, leading museums of our country as well as purchased in private collections and authors themselves. The total amount of the collection — above 3000 items.
  • Murmansk Puppet Theatre
The theatre was created in 1933 and is the oldest in the country.
  • Murmansk Drama Theatre
Murmansk regional Drama Theatre. It works since February, 1939.