How attractive is the Russian north ... In this article we will talk about the sights of Murmansk, a city located beyond the Arctic Circle.
Recently, the village turned 100 years old. The city lives not only a special, incomparable atmosphere of the north, but there is also a dynamic. We can safely say that Murmansk is young in soul. Both in the village itself and outside there is where to relax and what to see.
Murmansk is the largest settlement, which is located beyond the Arctic Circle. He bears the glorious title of a hero city, and the area is also called the "gateway to the Arctic." If you drive 20 km from the city, you can see the Northern Lights! A fabulous phenomenon pleases the eye from August to April.
Advice from tourists who visited Murmansk. Take your passport with you on a trip. You will have a unique opportunity to visit Norway. Many tour operators offer residents and visitors to the city shopping tours, as well as excursions to Kirkenes malls.
There are very few historical monuments in the village, since it is still young, but they all speak of the military prowess of the inhabitants. For that there are many other attractions. Which ones? You will learn further.
Monument to the defenders of the Soviet Arctic
The monument, which the population of the city affectionately nicknamed "Alyosha", is located on Cape Verde. It can be seen from anywhere in Murmansk. It was built in honor of the victory in the Great Patriotic War.
The monument is simply huge. It weighs 5 tons, height - 35 meters. The monument is located facing west, from where the enemies came. The hardest battles took place on that side. Since 2004, there is an alley that was opened in honor of all the hero cities.
Memorial to sailors who died in peacetime
This is a complex, the key figure of which is a tower 25 meters high. Here is a museum that records all the dead sailors. The memory book today includes 14,000 entries.
On the marble staircase, at the beginning of which there is a huge anchor, you can climb to the lighthouse building. In 2009, in the solemn atmosphere on the Day of the Russian Navy, the Kursk submarine was felled.
Monument "Waiting"
In 2012, a monument with a romantic name was erected for the citizens' money. It is a symbol of all women who are waiting for loved ones from the sea.
Murmansk landmark is located above the Kola Bay. The stele is set so that the ships that return to their native harbor see it first. There is a square near the monument.
Parks
- City park of culture and rest. In summer, this landmark of Murmansk is surrounded by greenery, in winter it surprises with incredibly beautiful New Year's lights.
- Mountain ash alley. Beautiful quiet place for walking. The most unusual here are the light consoles in the shape of mountain ash, which give their fabulous light in the dark. At the end of the alley is the memorial of the famous historian and writer Valentin Pikul.
Monument to the cat Semyon
This is a unique sculpture, which is a symbol of the unlimited devotion of animals. Residents of the city are happy to share the story of its origin. Cat Semyon is an unusual animal. His homeland is Thailand. A Thai family came to visit relatives in the northern city and took the animal with them. The playful cat jumped out of the car and fled on the road. They did not begin to look for him. What was the surprise of the owners when, after 6 years, they found a pet at the door of their house. Cat Semen covered 2000 kilometers to return to his family. Now it has become a symbol of all loving pets, and its statue is one of the most unusual sights of the city of Murmansk.
Museum-icebreaker "Lenin"
This landmark of Murmansk has no analogues in the world. The first icebreaker on the planet, which lasted 30 years, after decommissioning turned into a museum. More than 130,000 people visited the attraction as part of excursion groups. The museum displays:
- captain's cabin;
- wardroom;
- canteen;
- observation post;
- power plant control.
It is located at: Portovy Prospect, 25. You can view photos of Murmansk sights below.
Oceanarium
The northernmost aquarium is located at: st. Heroes of Severomortsev, 4. The performance here lasts about 45 minutes. Children are delighted with the program “Adventures of the Fili seal”, specially developed for kids. She is not only entertaining, but also cognitive. In an interesting lively form, the employees of the oceanarium are familiar with the features of life:
- sea hares;
- seal;
- seals and other marine life.
Sights of Pervomaisky district in Murmansk. Regional Art Museum
Here are the works:
- painting;
- schedules;
- objects of decorative art.
It is unique in that beyond the Arctic Circle there are no more such museums. Permanent exhibition "Russian fine art of the XVIII – XX centuries." known to the whole world. This institution was also chosen by lecturers, writers, artists. It often hosts meetings with readers, creative music evenings, and interesting lectures for everyone. You can see the schedule of events at the stands inside the museum.
Drama Theater of the Northern Fleet
This is the center of cultural leisure of Murmansk. A lot of events are held at the theater.
Initially, it was located at: House of the Red Army and Navy in the city of Polar. The first performance was given on March 31, 1936. The artists were the sailors and wives of the commanders. The first production was called Squadron Death. The theater’s repertoire, as a rule, puts on military-themed performances. From 1943 to 1986, the theater was located on the territory of the House of Officers in Rost. The institution received its own building from the city in 1987. The theater team successfully tours around the world.
Sights of Murmansk and the Murmansk region
The Murmansk region is famous all over the world even more than the hero city itself. There are a lot of attractions on its territory.
Monastery of St. Tryphon of Pechenga
This is the northernmost sacred monastery in the world. Located at: Murmansk region, the village of Luostari. The shrine is located 160 km from the city. If you go by car or bus, you can enjoy spectacular views of nature.
St. Nicholas Cathedral
The main temple of the Murmansk diocese. It is an ensemble of several buildings:
- St. Nicholas Cathedral;
- Temple of Tryphon of Pechenga,
- the chapel of the icon of the Mother of God, "The Sporelite of the Bread"
- several administrative buildings,
- several residential buildings
- farm buildings;
- adjacent territory.
The complex was created for three years from 1986 to 1989. Outwardly, the silhouettes of the buildings are rough, which is typical for that period.
Lapland Nature Reserve
180 km from the city is the largest security zone in Europe. Its area reaches 28,000 hectares. Here operates the center "Homeland of Santa Claus"
Tourists come here to visit the crystal clear lakes and see the boundless tundra.
Ostrich Farm in the Arctic
It is located 15 kilometers from Murmansk, in the small village of Molochny. It will take 35 minutes to get to it by bus.
Here you can watch African ostriches, celebrate an unusual birthday or have a children's party. A tour of the farm takes 40 minutes. Local produce is also sold on the territory - meat and ostrich eggs.
Teriberka
The small village became famous after the release of the acclaimed Leviathan film. It is located on the shores of the Barents Sea. The place is very romantic. It is either frightening with its severity or striking with its strict northern beauty. This is the magic of this place.
Teriberka is a two-hour drive from Murmansk. In mileage it is 120 km. The road here is bad. There are no gas stations either on the road, in the vicinity, or in the village. Going on a trip, you should fill the tank to the top and take a few spare cans with you. There are also no restaurants, fast food outlets or snack bars. Of all the infrastructure, there is a small, barely surviving, local store.
But all this is not so important, because tourists come here for special sensations. In Teriberka you can see the northern lights. Stock up on a good mood, very warm clothes, hot tea and mulled wine and set off to meet the magic! Take a closer look at the sky, perhaps you will see Santa's sleigh or the Snow Queen herself will reward you with her cold air kiss. According to enthusiastic reviews of tourists with children, it is clear that it is worth it to withstand the frost of -35 degrees.
Polar Alpine Botanical Garden Institute
It is located beyond the Arctic Circle 200 km from Murmansk. The bus ride takes a little over three hours, but it's worth it. To get there, you will first have to take the intercity bus to Kirov, and from it already go to Khibin.
The attraction lies on Mount Vudyavrchorr. Scientists here are studying the migration of plants from various climatic zones. Here you can see exotic and tropical flora.
Four times a day there are excursions. Pre-registration is valid. There are no days off at the botanical garden. Before planning a visit to the sights of Murmansk and the region, check the work schedule, as it changes quite often.
What to eat in Murmansk?
Murmansk is rich in sights and interesting places. The city also has developed gastronomic tourism. Those who have been here strongly recommend trying seafood. Their main difference from seafood, which is served in restaurants in other regions of the country, is Murmansk seafood freshly caught, and not subjected to a state of deep freezing.
Visiting Murmansk and not tasting local seafood is a crime. Seafood is sold and served at every step. Also in Murmansk there are a lot of caviar on sale, about which there are excellent reviews. Be sure to bring the delicacy from here to relatives and friends. Restaurants and cafes serve freshly caught seafood.
In the Shanghai restaurant, the most expensive establishment in the city, you can try:
- boiled crab;
- mussels;
- squid;
- boiled scallops.
In one of the most expensive restaurants in the Arctic Circle "Tsarskaya Okhota" you will be offered:
- boiled crab;
- squid and scallop dishes;
- cod;
- smelt.
Among the unusual desserts you will like cloudberry jam. And the meat of a bear and a moose soaked in wine will not leave anyone indifferent.
Self catering
City guests can cook for themselves. There are many grocery stores and supermarkets at their disposal.
For tourists, the sights of Murmansk will seem something fabulous, because the city beyond the Arctic Circle in winter looks like the abode of the Snow Queen.