What to see in Murmansk in 1 day – route, photo, description, map
The northern city attracts attention with its discreet beauty. The main part of the year is dominated by black and white colors, they create the impression of some kind of fantastic reality. If you don't know what to see in Murmansk in 1 day on your own, start your journey from the main city square.
Local authorities pay attention to the development of regional tourism, therefore museums have fairly affordable prices. Information about new exhibitions, cultural and sports events, art objects on city and regional websites appears promptly.
The question is different: you need to take care of buying tickets for shows, concerts in advance, because empty seats in the halls are rare.
Five Corners Square
There are sights with this name in other cities of Russia, including St. Petersburg. Five-crosses are considered on a par with seven-crosses as a rarity, places of power. In fact, 4 streets converge on the main square of Murmansk today.
This nuance does not change her special attitude. The area is often called the heart of the city. More than 100 years ago, the first stone of the temple in honor of Nikola Ugodnik, the heavenly patron of sailors, was laid on the five-cross street.
It was not possible to build the church. Later, the place was built up with multi-storey public buildings. The area has been renovated several times. Nowadays, on its territory there are: a cozy square, a children's playground, a fountain that works all year round.
The water supply to it stops with the onset of sub-zero temperatures, water jets are replaced by LED design. A stele with the names of honorary citizens of Murmansk is installed on the square. Nearby are museums, libraries, theaters, recreation areas.
cod monument
Near the sights you can always see tourists, residents of the city. Many are in a hurry to make a cherished wish near the figure of a fish. The magical action in the second case is not particularly difficult: adults, children tell the cod in a whisper what they want to receive as a gift.
Fishermen believe in the magical power of the monument. They believe: if you pet him, the catch will be 100% rich. The sculpture made of metal and stone weighs 32 kilograms (as an average fish of the cod family).
The monument was opened in 2015. The figure symbolizes a simple truth for the inhabitants of Murmansk: fishing is salvation in difficult times. The polar region is famous for cod dishes. Here it is cooked with different ingredients, including herbs, northern berries.
This fact does not leave indifferent fans of gastronomic tourism. Gourmets are happy to taste boiled, baked, fried, cooked over an open fire cod in local cafes and restaurants.
Locomotive-monument L-4386
The vehicle has become a city landmark relatively recently. The cargo main steam locomotive was built in the middle of the last century. It reminds of the Soviet era, the role of the Oktyabrskaya railway in the life of the region.
It is noteworthy that the equipment created in the 50s is quite effective. Transport, if necessary, can be removed from the pedestal, hit the road.
The locomotive-monument is located next to the railway tracks. To take a selfie against its background, you need to approach the object from the side of the pedestrian crossing. The letter “L” in the name of the technique recalls the brilliant Soviet designer Lev Lebedyansky.
He developed projects for steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, gas turbine locomotives, carried out managerial work, and during the Khrushchev “thaw” he fell into disgrace. Lebedyansky's inventions influenced the economic development of Murmansk and the Arctic.
Nuclear icebreaker “Lenin”
The name of the legendary ship says a lot to those who remember the era of the USSR. In the last century, it was the world's first icebreaker with a new type of power source. The construction of the ship began in the mid-50s. 500 enterprises worked on the creation of mechanisms and equipment for the nuclear-powered ship.
The icebreaker served in the navy for 30 years, guiding thousands of ships along the northern sea route. “Lenin” was designed without taking into account the possibility of further modernization. Its main disadvantage was low maintainability, but the management of the fleet did not dare to send the well-known vessel for dismantling.
Today, the icebreaker is “resting” in the eternal parking lot at the pier of the sea station. The vessel is included in the state register of cultural heritage monuments. There is a museum on board the ship.
Its unique exhibits are witnesses of the former glory of the Soviet fleet. The icebreaker regularly hosts exhibitions, has a souvenir shop, and mostly group tours. Without a guide, a crew member, it will not be possible to get on board and inspect the ship.
Regional Museum of Local Lore
In a few years, the cultural institution will celebrate its centennial anniversary. An interesting local landmark is located next to its building: a monument to the legendary icebreaker Yermak. Unique geological and historical collections are presented in 19 exposition halls of the museum.
It has an exposition dedicated to the construction of a sea vessel (the ship is placed in a dry aquarium). The museum has rarities that allow you to learn a lot about the life of the indigenous northern peoples: the Saami, the Pomors.
Particularly popular with visitors is the hall, which displays objects of Soviet life of the 50s. The museum collections contain 160,000 unique and rare items. The oldest library in the Murmansk region functions in the same building.
The cultural institution is open to guests every day except Thursday and Friday. Once a month, children and pensioners can visit museum exhibitions for free.
Museum of History, Culture and Life of the Kola Sami
An object of culture in the village of Umba (357 kilometers from the regional center) is a structural unit of the Murmansk Museum of Local Lore and a kind of pearl of the Arctic. There is no other such authentic collection in the world. The history of the Museum of the Kola Sami began with a small school collection of antiquities.
The hobby of a simple teacher gave rise to a grandiose regional project for the preservation of the cultural heritage of the indigenous northern peoples. To place the exhibits, the institution was given the building of the House of Culture, built in Soviet times.
The object is an interesting example of how elements of neoclassical architecture fashionable in the USSR harmoniously fit into the northern landscape. The museum's collection consists of over 800 items.
A special place among the exhibits is occupied by ancient artifacts. They confirm scientific hypotheses that human civilization has existed in the Arctic for at least 3000 years. The museum contains: a stone with petroglyphs, interior items of a wooden Sami house, traditional clothes of reindeer herders, products of applied art.
There is a regular transport connection between Murmansk and Umba, but it causes criticism from tourists and local residents. The most convenient way to get to the museum is by rented car or as part of an excursion group.
Memorial complex “To the sailors who died in peacetime”
The memorial is also an observation deck, from where the city is visible at a glance. The monument is about 20 years old. It consists of several objects.
In the center of the complex is a lighthouse, whose height is more than 17 meters. On its walls there are memorial plates in honor of the sailors. The book of memory of the museum (it occupies the first floor of the lighthouse) presents data on those who died in peacetime.
There is an anchor near the lighthouse. There is an Orthodox church on the territory of the complex. Not far from the lighthouse there is another symbol of sorrow: the heading of the nuclear submarine “Kursk”. This is not the only ship that has sunk in the water depths.
During the existence of the domestic fleet in peacetime, sailors died, according to official figures, on 33 submarines. The names of the ships can be seen here and touch the trace of a human palm carved on a stone. It also symbolizes the memory of the people.
musical alley
The square is recognized as one of the most beautiful, romantic places in Murmansk, the Arctic. When the townspeople decided by voting on the issue of choosing the name of the attraction, the following fact influenced its result: an art school and a philharmonic society work nearby.
The sounds of music, the voices of singers and singers are constantly heard around the buildings. However, the attraction also has a second (unofficial) name: “Love Alley”. Newlyweds in this picturesque place traditionally triple photo shoots, lovers make dates.
Neon half-arches in the form of hearts are installed in the square. The alley looks elegant at any time of the day. A few years ago, she gained fame far beyond the Arctic. The magazine “National Geographic Traveler Russia” recognized it as the most romantic place in the country.
Selfie in the park is considered a must for many tourists coming to the city. Travelers have a sign: visiting the musical alley brings good luck in love.
Monument “Waiting”
The sculpture is often called the calling card of the city. The idea of installing a female figure made of granite and bronze appeared in the 80s of the last century, but the monument was opened only in 2012.
Photos of the “Waiting” are actively replicated on the Internet, but at the same time the sculpture receives portions of criticism. It stirs up the interest of travelers, because everyone has their own opinion about a very expressive sculpture.
The manufacture and installation of the monument turned into a nationwide project at the turn of the century. Funds for the creation of the figure, its pedestal were collected by enterprises and individuals. The townspeople expected that the work would be done by one of the specialists living in the Arctic.
And the authorities, together with the participants in the popular vote, chose the project of Smolensk architects, who did not take into account local realities: the clothes on the “Waiting” are more suitable for the climate of the Baltic coast.
Park of Culture and Leisure on Semenovskoye Lake
The reservoir, located within the city, is visited by tourists and citizens with pleasure at any time of the year. Previously, there was a village on the shore, named after a local resident. The settlement no longer exists, but the lake and its picturesque surroundings remain.
It is from here that the history of the emergence of the city begins; before the revolution, it was called Romanov-on-Murman. The place is also unique in that the Sami camp existed here (according to the versions of local historians) more than 3000 years ago.
The park operates all year round. The main attraction of the recreational area: a fountain in the central part of the lake. The most popular entertainment among vacationers is catamaran or ice skating, depending on the season. In winter, ski slopes are laid next to the lake.
For fans of rollerblading, cycling, skateboarding, there are also interesting tracks. The park has a Ferris wheel, a shooting gallery, a cinema attraction, a playground for the smallest, and cultural events are regularly held. Gourmets speak positively about its restaurants and cafes.
Oceanarium
The entertainment complex on Semenovskoye Lake is considered the northernmost in Europe. During Soviet times, a laboratory of the institute was built in the Murmansk region to study the behavior of mammals in natural conditions.
After the collapse of the state, the scientific center was closed, and a unique oceanarium was created on its basis. Today, arctic seals live and perform in front of the public. In the aquarium you can see sea hares, ringed seals.
For young visitors, the entertainment facility has special programs. Photographing of the show is allowed free of charge. For the opportunity to take pictures, videos near the inhabitants of the Arctic, you have to pay a small amount. There is a children's club at the oceanarium, where it is easy to order a one-time lesson for a child dedicated to the inhabitants of the water depths.
Memorial to the Defenders of the Soviet Arctic during the Great Patriotic War
The complex has another unofficial popular name: “Murmansk Alyosha”. The object of cultural heritage traces its history back to the 70s of the last century.
The height of the figure of a soldier on the territory of the memorial: more than 35 meters. He looks towards the Valley of Glory, where in 1941 fierce battles took place on the outskirts of the city.
A stele is installed next to the soldier, it shows the military formations that defended Murmansk. Nearby are anti-aircraft guns and a pyramid. It symbolizes the half-mast battle banner and sorrow.
On the territory of the memorial there is an alley of plates of hero cities. The complex occupies a hill on Zeleny Mys, overlooking the city and the Kola Bay.
Tropical bath “Lights of Murmansk”
The entertainment complex operates all year round. Most of all, it resembles a piece of tropical paradise, miraculously transferred to the Arctic. On Wednesday and Friday in the water park, the cost of visiting the baths is as low as possible. Tickets for these days, many in a hurry to buy in advance.
Ogni Murmansk has swimming pools for children and adults, a hot tub, a bar serving delicious soft drinks, a sauna, and a solarium.
The cost of equipment rental services in the aqua complex is relatively small. Those who visit the institution with children can order a special entertainment program with prizes for young fidgets.
In the halls of the aqua zone there are real southern plants. They enhance the illusion of the tropics, emphasize the atmosphere of a carefree holiday.