Murmansk

Russia

Murmansk (Russian: Му́рманск) is a city in the extreme northwest of Russia and the world's largest city north of the Arctic Circle. It lies in the Kola Bay on the Kola Peninsula, by the Barents Sea.

With a population of over 300,000, Murmansk is the largest city in the Arctic and an important Russian naval base and commercial port. Unlike Arkhangelsk on the White Sea, its harbor does not freeze in winter. It was the last city founded by the Russian Empire. In World War II, known to Russians as the Great Patriotic War, Murmansk served as a port for the arctic convoys, and after the war became the Soviet Union's most important submarine base. This history provides a major reason to visit the city, museums and port.

In the Far North, Murmansk experiences cold winters with temperatures routinely dropping below . The brief summer offers mild temperatures between . Strong winds are common, especially at the higher parts of the city.

The Alyosha Statue As a relatively new city, Murmansk has few real sights apart from the giant statue Alyosha; architecture buffs will, however, be intrigued by the crumbling Stalinist architecture downtown. The architecture is complemented by trees and other vegetation receiving little care.

Walking up into the nearby hills offers remarkable views over the city, Kola bay, beautiful lakes, and the surrounding completely barren mountains - revealing how far north the city really is.

  • Alyosha Statue. The city's pride and most recognizable sight. Officially named Defenders of the Soviet Arctic, but known as Alyosha to all, this 42-meter-tall statue of a soldier overlooks the city and was built in 1974 to commemorate the Soviet defence of the Arctic during World War II. It's common for wedding parties to visit the statue and drink a bottle of champagne in front of the statue. The grassy hill surrounding Alyosha are good hiking grounds with dirt footpaths leading back towards the city.
  • Nuclear icebreaker Lenin. Excursions weekends 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00; there may be evening excursions on other days. The world's first nuclear-powered surface ship now rests in the docks of Murmansk and has been turned into a museum ship. It also features as a showcase for the Russian nuclear fleet, Atomflot. Guided tours are in Russian only, with some guides able to offer complementary explanations in English. Last tour starting 16:00. Russian citizens -, Foreigners -.
  • Memorial to the Soldiers and Seamen Who Died in Peaceful Time. 24/7. Monument dedicated to navy personnel perished at sea during peaceful times. Designed by architects Shiryaev and N. Bogdanova, the hexagonal lighthouse in the centre of the memorial stands 17.5 m tall, with marble stairs leading up to it. Next to the lighthouse is a small museum with artifacts, including diaries of sailors. Since the Kursk accident in the Barents Sea in 2009, the site has become a memorial for submariners as well. Free.
  • Monument to Waiting Women. Officially named Zhduschaia, this monument is dedicated to the spouses of sailors of the Arctic Fleet, anxiously awaiting the return of their husbands. The sculpture is unusual because it is on of the few in the city dedicated to women.

The city has several museums, all mildly interesting compared to larger cities in Russia, but they do offer a good appreciation for the regions history and art.

  • Arctic Research Institute Exposition, Ul. Knipovicha 6, +7 8152 47 23 97. M-F 09:00-16:00. Viewing apparently by appointment only; call and ask for Tatiana at least a few days in advance.
  • Northern Navy Museum, Ul. Tortseva 15 (By public transit, take any buses/marshrutkas to the north that are marked "Севморпуть" (Sevmorput') or "Ловова" (Lobova). Exit at the stop near Lobova 42. Continue walking north along Lobova to Tortseva. (Tortseva will be marked as a dead-end street. Walk towards the big blue building and around the right (north) side where all the columns are. The entrance to the museum is on this side of the building and is difficult to see., +7 8152 22 14 45. Th-M 09:00-13:00, 14:00-19:00. .
  • Murmansk Regional Museum of Art, Ul. Kominterna 13, +7 8152 45 03 85. W-Su 11:00-18:00.
  • Regional Museum, Prospekt Lenina 90 (10-minute walk from Five Corners Square or trolleybus 3 or 6 to ulitsa Volodarskovo (ул. Володарского), +7 8152 42 26 17. F-W 11:00-18:00 (last entry 17:00). Contains displays on various themes, including ethnography of local peoples, a taxidermy display of local flora and fauna (including polar bear and moose), arctic explorations, and an extensive display on Murmansk's role in World War II. All displays in Russian only, cashier closes at 17:00., extra for photos.
  • Shipping History Museum, Ul Volodarskovo 6 (10-minute walk from Five Corners Square, trolleybus 3 or 6 to ulitsa Volodarskovo (ул. Володарского), or trolleybus 2 or 4 to ulitsa Volodarskovo (ул. Володарского) northbound or ulitsa Chelyuskintsev (ул. Челюскинцев), +7 8152 48 13 56. Su-F 09:00-17:00.

Alyosha Statue. The city's pride and most recognizable sight. Officially named Defenders of the Soviet Arctic, but known as Alyosha to all, this 42-meter-tall statue of a soldier overlooks the city and was built in 1974 to commemorate the Soviet defence of the Arctic during World War II. It's common for wedding parties to visit the statue and drink a bottle of champagne in front of the statue. The grassy hill surrounding Alyosha are good hiking grounds with dirt footpaths leading back towards the city.

Nuclear icebreaker Lenin. Excursions weekends 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00; there may be evening excursions on other days. The world's first nuclear-powered surface ship now rests in the docks of Murmansk and has been turned into a museum ship. It also features as a showcase for the Russian nuclear fleet, Atomflot. Guided tours are in Russian only, with some guides able to offer complementary explanations in English. Last tour starting 16:00. Russian citizens -, Foreigners -.

Memorial to the Soldiers and Seamen Who Died in Peaceful Time. 24/7. Monument dedicated to navy personnel perished at sea during peaceful times. Designed by architects Shiryaev and N. Bogdanova, the hexagonal lighthouse in the centre of the memorial stands 17.5 m tall, with marble stairs leading up to it. Next to the lighthouse is a small museum with artifacts, including diaries of sailors. Since the Kursk accident in the Barents Sea in 2009, the site has become a memorial for submariners as well. Free.

Monument to Waiting Women. Officially named Zhduschaia, this monument is dedicated to the spouses of sailors of the Arctic Fleet, anxiously awaiting the return of their husbands. The sculpture is unusual because it is on of the few in the city dedicated to women.

Arctic Research Institute Exposition, Ul. Knipovicha 6, +7 8152 47 23 97. M-F 09:00-16:00. Viewing apparently by appointment only; call and ask for Tatiana at least a few days in advance.

Northern Navy Museum, Ul. Tortseva 15 (By public transit, take any buses/marshrutkas to the north that are marked "Севморпуть" (Sevmorput') or "Ловова" (Lobova). Exit at the stop near Lobova 42. Continue walking north along Lobova to Tortseva. (Tortseva will be marked as a dead-end street. Walk towards the big blue building and around the right (north) side where all the columns are. The entrance to the museum is on this side of the building and is difficult to see., +7 8152 22 14 45. Th-M 09:00-13:00, 14:00-19:00. .

Murmansk Regional Museum of Art, Ul. Kominterna 13, +7 8152 45 03 85. W-Su 11:00-18:00.

Regional Museum, Prospekt Lenina 90 (10-minute walk from Five Corners Square or trolleybus 3 or 6 to ulitsa Volodarskovo (ул. Володарского), +7 8152 42 26 17. F-W 11:00-18:00 (last entry 17:00). Contains displays on various themes, including ethnography of local peoples, a taxidermy display of local flora and fauna (including polar bear and moose), arctic explorations, and an extensive display on Murmansk's role in World War II. All displays in Russian only, cashier closes at 17:00., extra for photos.

Shipping History Museum, Ul Volodarskovo 6 (10-minute walk from Five Corners Square, trolleybus 3 or 6 to ulitsa Volodarskovo (ул. Володарского), or trolleybus 2 or 4 to ulitsa Volodarskovo (ул. Володарского) northbound or ulitsa Chelyuskintsev (ул. Челюскинцев), +7 8152 48 13 56. Su-F 09:00-17:00.

A nice and popular way to see the city is to take the ferry across Kola fjord.

  • Oceanarium, Ul. Geroev-severomortsev 4 (on Lake Semyonovskaya, +7 8152-31-58-84. See trained seals perform in the white domed building.
  • Sport Complex "South Slope", Vostochno-Obyezdnaya doroga, 9 (just of the main bypass road towards Severomorsk, northeast of city centre, +8(8152)43-56-61. Small but popular ski complex that's a few minutes away from the city. The main slope is just over 500 metres. There's a ski shop and a café.
  • Orthodox Monastery, Prospekt Kolskij (trolleybus nr 6 from city centre going south. all day. Wooden, notched (no nails used) working monastery. Beautifully handcrafted monastery with two churches. The main church is open for visitors, gift-shop included. The gift-shop has erratic opening-hours, but the monastery is open until very late, and if you show respect for the place and the people living there, they might open the church for you to see, even after closing-hours. Unclear when it closes. Beautiful hand-crafted wooden decorations inside the church, worth a look! Free.

Oceanarium, Ul. Geroev-severomortsev 4 (on Lake Semyonovskaya, +7 8152-31-58-84. See trained seals perform in the white domed building.

Sport Complex "South Slope", Vostochno-Obyezdnaya doroga, 9 (just of the main bypass road towards Severomorsk, northeast of city centre, +8(8152)43-56-61. Small but popular ski complex that's a few minutes away from the city. The main slope is just over 500 metres. There's a ski shop and a café.

Orthodox Monastery, Prospekt Kolskij (trolleybus nr 6 from city centre going south. all day. Wooden, notched (no nails used) working monastery. Beautifully handcrafted monastery with two churches. The main church is open for visitors, gift-shop included. The gift-shop has erratic opening-hours, but the monastery is open until very late, and if you show respect for the place and the people living there, they might open the church for you to see, even after closing-hours. Unclear when it closes. Beautiful hand-crafted wooden decorations inside the church, worth a look! Free.

  • Cafe Yunost, Prospekt Lenina 86 (next to the Anatoliy Bredov Statue. Coffees and desserts in a relaxing environment. And jolly good chicken and chips.
  • McDonald's, ulitsa Leningradskaya 20, korpus 3, "Волна" (Volna) shopping center (entrance off Ul. Yegorova, +7 8152 55-70-69. 07:00-23:30. The world's northernmost McDonald's. Order at the counter with cash or via kiosk in English or Russian with a credit/debit card. .

Cafe Yunost, Prospekt Lenina 86 (next to the Anatoliy Bredov Statue. Coffees and desserts in a relaxing environment. And jolly good chicken and chips.

McDonald's, ulitsa Leningradskaya 20, korpus 3, "Волна" (Volna) shopping center (entrance off Ul. Yegorova, +7 8152 55-70-69. 07:00-23:30. The world's northernmost McDonald's. Order at the counter with cash or via kiosk in English or Russian with a credit/debit card. .

  • Bulldog Pub, ul. Karla Marksa, 48 (up the stairs and right from intersection ul. Karla Marksa/ul. Poliarnie Zori, +8 8152-260017. Sports bar showing matches from the Barclays Premier League and more. A good selection of draft beer, including ales. Typical pub food is also served.
  • Club Marrakesh, ul. Shmidta 43, +8 8152-476464. F Sa 23:00-06:00. A swank club hosting many events. Has a fine selection of wines and even a cigar room. Open til early morning.
  • Moisey, 9/1 Kominterna St. (downstairs in shopping complex across from the train station. There don't seem to be a lot of wireless internet hotspots so Моисей is a good option. With cheap draft beer and (uninviting) food, this is not a bad place to get one's bearings and check emails after arriving in the city.

Bulldog Pub, ul. Karla Marksa, 48 (up the stairs and right from intersection ul. Karla Marksa/ul. Poliarnie Zori, +8 8152-260017. Sports bar showing matches from the Barclays Premier League and more. A good selection of draft beer, including ales. Typical pub food is also served.

Club Marrakesh, ul. Shmidta 43, +8 8152-476464. F Sa 23:00-06:00. A swank club hosting many events. Has a fine selection of wines and even a cigar room. Open til early morning.

Moisey, 9/1 Kominterna St. (downstairs in shopping complex across from the train station. There don't seem to be a lot of wireless internet hotspots so Моисей is a good option. With cheap draft beer and (uninviting) food, this is not a bad place to get one's bearings and check emails after arriving in the city.

  • Finland Finland, Karl Marks street, 25 A, +7 8152 445-382. M-Th 09:30-12:00.
  • Netherlands Netherlands, Sofyi Perovskoy street, 5 (at General Consulate of Norway, +7 (8152) 40-06-00 (common), +7 8152 40-06-20 (visas). M-Th 09:00-12:00.
  • Norway Norway, Sofyi Perovskoy street, 5, +7 8152 40-06-00 (common), +7 8152 40-06-20 (visas). M-Th 09:00-12:00.
  • Sweden Sweden, Sofyi Perovskoy street, 5 (at General Consulate of Norway, +7 8152 40-06-00 (common), +7 8152 40-06-20 (visas). M-Th 09:00-12:00.

Finland Finland, Karl Marks street, 25 A, +7 8152 445-382. M-Th 09:30-12:00.

Netherlands Netherlands, Sofyi Perovskoy street, 5 (at General Consulate of Norway, +7 (8152) 40-06-00 (common), +7 8152 40-06-20 (visas). M-Th 09:00-12:00.

Norway Norway, Sofyi Perovskoy street, 5, +7 8152 40-06-00 (common), +7 8152 40-06-20 (visas). M-Th 09:00-12:00.

Sweden Sweden, Sofyi Perovskoy street, 5 (at General Consulate of Norway, +7 8152 40-06-00 (common), +7 8152 40-06-20 (visas). M-Th 09:00-12:00.

Some neighborhoods may be unsafe at night, particularly Rostu and Zhilstroy.

Flocks of stray dogs roam around suburban areas and have been known to attack humans carrying food. There are also bear sightings along the road leading to the airport. Although bears usually flee upon contact, mothers protecting cubs may be aggressive.

The wilderness of the Kola peninsula and Murmansk Oblast is perfect for camping, fishing or hunting. A great deal of travellers continue out in the wild from here. There are several large national parks nearby and there are several companies to organize your trip.

Or you can head north; Murmansk is a great place to start for your icebreaker cruise to the Arctic Sea and the North Pole.