The song of the war years “Farewell to the Rocky Mountains” was heard by many, and some may even remember the words of this song, which mentions the Rybachy Peninsula, melting away in a distant fog. But at the same time, few thought: where is this land? It is located in the very north of the Kola Peninsula, beyond the Arctic Circle, 150 km from the regional center of Murmansk. And Cape German, located on the peninsula, is the northernmost geographical point of the mainland of European territory.
Peninsula history
In this harsh but beautiful place, located on the shores of the Barents Sea and Motovsky Gulf, people began to settle long ago. According to the surviving documents, the Rybachy Peninsula got its name back in the 16th century. Indeed, in the waters surrounding the peninsula, which do not freeze all year round due to the Nordkapp current, the Pomors from ancient times fished (herring, capelin, cod, etc.). The Russian Empire began to belong to the peninsula since 1826, when the state border with Norway was finally established. After the revolution of 1917, the western part of the island went to Finland, which was subsequently annexed to the USSR after the Soviet-Finnish war.
During the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet Arctic became the scene of fierce battles between Soviet troops and Wehrmacht troops. The German command attached great importance to the capture of the Kola Peninsula, rich in nickel deposits, and planned to capture Murmansk, the main base of the Northern Fleet, as soon as possible, but these plans did not come true. Rybachy Peninsula stood in the way of the invaders, which was the most important strategic point from which the entrance to the Pechenga, Kola and Motovsky bays was controlled. Rybachy remained for them an unsinkable battleship, which played a decisive role in protecting the northern borders of our homeland.
At the end of the war , the Soviet military garrisons were located on the Rybachy Peninsula, located almost on the very border with Norway, part of the NATO bloc , and entry into its territory was restricted. Currently, most garrisons are closed, and almost everyone can get there.
Peninsula today
The Rybachy Peninsula, whose map abounds in bays and bays, rivers and lakes, has become a place of pilgrimage for ecotourism lovers. Lovers of off-road racing and fans of extreme diving come here not only from Russia, but also from other countries.
Also, in the summer season, many representatives of youth patriotic clubs arrive on the Rybachy Peninsula to visit the places of bloody battles of the Second World War and to maintain the monuments to the fallen soldiers in good condition.
This is truly the Land of the Earth - beyond that there are only boundless expanses of the Arctic Ocean, against the background of which everyone arriving here will definitely make memorable photos. The fishing peninsula and the adjacent Middle Peninsula are also attractive because here you can often see the northern lights. No wonder here the longest polar night on the mainland (42 days) and polar day (59 days).