Although the war with fascist Germany ended long ago, our country still keeps traces of those terrible years. The Kola Peninsula is one of the most striking examples. Today, these places attract a lot of tourists. They come from different republics of the former USSR and even from abroad to watch the festive holidays or just to familiarize themselves with the conditions under which our soldiers fought and what the victory cost them.
A bit of geography
The Valley of Glory is located on the right bank of the Western Litsa River. From Murmansk only 40 kilometers. This is if you move in a straight line. And you will go by car along the highway - already 74. In general, it is not far from the place where the Western Litsa River spreads widely.
The valley, as it were, hid between the gentle hills. It stretches for thousands of meters. In some places it is interrupted. Either the stream runs, then the swamp underfoot, or in general the pass. This is a beautiful area. After all, here is a rare, unusual for the northern latitudes landscape of the plain. In summer, the grass is pretty tall everywhere. Silence. Only birds sing. Very majestic, solemn. Already breathtaking.
Change of name
Here along the river (from July to November 1941) the defense line passed. Today it’s even hard to imagine how it was possible to carry out at least some very simple military operations in such places. In addition, in the summer there is a decent cold. Tundra! And they held defense here in the fall. So our people had very considerable losses in the battles not just because of such, let's say mildly, unsightly weather conditions.
And how many difficulties there were to deliver weapons and ammunition to the soldiers. To this day, various remnants of both Soviet and German equipment and weapons come across in this area.
But people withstood everything. It was the Valley of Glory that became an insurmountable obstacle for the German troops. They received an order to capture Murmansk as soon as possible. To do this, here, through an impassable tundra, they sent "Norway" - a mountain building. It consisted mainly of Austrian and Norwegian soldiers. They were commanded by German Colonel-General Edward Dietl.
But the enemy received a powerful rebuff from the Soviet troops when he tried to force the river. The military, led by the commander of the 205th Infantry Regiment, Anatoly Ivannikov, not only resisted and didn’t let the enemy go further, but severely battered the enemy, which was twice as powerful.
And they even fought with their fists. There were real melee fights. After all, delivering weapons and ammunition to the tundra, and even on the road, was incredibly difficult.
And such fights the Valley of Glory (Murmansk region) saw a lot. During the whole confrontation, more than two thousand people died on the banks of the river. And on the surrounding hills - for several tens of kilometers - there are still scattered German weapons.
Also in the safe and sound trenches, fortifications. Yes, many of our brave fighters were killed here. It is no coincidence that the soldiers nicknamed this place the Death Valley. And nowadays, the name has been changed to a lighter, more memorable.
Memorial to the Defenders
Today, the Valley of Glory is, first of all, a large Memorial complex. It is built on the site of those tragic and heroic battles. And here is the burial of soldiers and officers. Warriors who did everything so that the enemy did not go further into the country.
Five years ago, the complex was updated. Also done reburial. And every year on May 9, the Valley of Glory receives thousands of people who specially come here from everywhere. They want to honor the memory of those who defended the Arctic. Meetings and conversations, stories of witnesses and researchers, historians, and various other events are organized here. Activists of military historical clubs in the field of past battles are excavating.
Features, Attractions
The area itself is very beautiful. She has such a severe, austere, restrained look. That is, you can come here not only to see the famous memorial, but also to admire the unusual nature of the tundra. And also find out something else interesting.
That was such a fact. The Germans in 1941-42 built a road (in the Titovka area) . Cable car! Purpose: to supply their parts with everything necessary. Such an order was issued by Ferdinand Sherner (general of the sixth mountain division division).
The capacity of the cable car is as follows: from 150 to 250 kilograms. A single cable was in its design, the so-called towing. Closed moved in a circle. Plus drive.
Of course, the Germans also used the labor of our prisoners of war for this ...
The longest cable car
Today, anyone can see the remains of this impressive engineering system. Assembled it from separate sections. Each was like a loading and unloading site. She worked herself and was not dependent on others in any way. The cars were of two types. Or a wooden platform, or a metal bucket. Fastened to a figured metal suspension. When the trolleys hit the station, they disconnected from the cable (automatically). And already on the monorail (also suspended) they were manually rolled.
When the Germans retreated, they themselves damaged it. Our experts dismantled the cable car after the war. Allowed for household needs.
It was the longest military cable car.
Good holidays
Have a desire to come here? The final destination is clear: Valley of Glory (Murmansk region). How to get there, it remains only to find out. But you will read more about this below.
Activities in the Valley of Glory are diverse. So, a large project of volunteers dedicated to the heroes of the Great Victory is working. The second movement has the same character - “Nobody is forgotten. And nothing is forgotten. "
And there’s a Memory Watch. Many have heard about her. This June, for example, a team of two settlements walked along the defense line (on the Western Face). The guys examined several graves. We made a plan of work to restore them - this summer. The graves were also cleaned of debris. They embellished them with flowers.
We finished our shift on June 22 this year. And, of course, on the important Titov line.
Unforgettable meetings every year
The Valley of Glory (Murmansk region) welcomes guests from everywhere. Veterans of the war, their relatives and friends, “children of the war”, home front workers are coming to the event, which is repeated every year on the same date. This, you guessed it, is Victory Day in the Valley of Glory.
This May, as always, a rally was held. There was a laying of flowers and wreaths at the monuments of the Memorial complex. Representatives of the club "Polar Line" staged a reconstruction of military events. It was very impressive. A war song contest was also held. Then they talked with veterans.
70th anniversary of Victory
Two days were celebrations this year. After all, the date is big! The main theme of the holiday was patriotic education. Therefore, in comparison with previous years, the Valley of Glory has shown more exhibitions - military equipment, small arms. As well as all kinds of thematic exhibitions. Worked and field kitchen.
Great help to the organizers of these large-scale celebrations was provided by volunteers - young children, students - future social workers. So the holiday in the Valley of Glory turned out to be memorable.
On your car
Well, we convinced you to come here and see for yourself what exactly is this famous Valley of Glory? How to get there, now we will tell you in detail.
By car, the route is like this. Take the course from Murmansk directly to the south. Drive along Podgornaya street only. And at the first big turn to the right, turn right. Enter the bridge. We drove down. And again, turn onto the track (on its right side). So you drive 74 kilometers. And immediately a beautiful view of the Memorial opens.
This is your first time in this region, in the Arctic, and your goal is the Valley of Glory (Murmansk region)? How to get there, you naturally want to know. We advise you to choose a bus. Several flights go from Murmansk to Pechenga, also to Zapolyarny, to Zaozersk. Suitable for Kirkines.
Shipped daily. One after another every hour. Read the schedule in advance. And be sure to check the departure time of the last bus.