For centuries it was believed that it would be
impossible to live here because of the severe climate and the fact that hardly anything
grows. But it took a mere 80 years for the biggest city on the planet situated above the
Arctic Circle to be built on the shore of the Gulf of Kola. This city is the city of
Murmansk, the capital of the Russian polar regions. It is the largest port in the Russian
North and the only port to remain ice-free all year round. It is the only place in the
world where a colossal atomic fleet is based. Murmansk is also the capital of the
international Festival of the North, which attracts athletes and visitors from different
countries and continents. Murmansk is situated on the very edge of the Eurasian continent
just before the icy void of the North Pole. However, this does not mean to say that it is
always cold. In winter the average temperature is -10*C and in summer between 15*C and
25*C, resulting in an average annual temperature of around 0*C. The climate is fairly
moderate due to the warm Atlantic Gulf Stream from the Barents Sea. It is very rare for
there to be frosts of lower than -30*C, yet in summer the sweet smell of lilac and rowan
blossom fills the air. During the hazy, lazy days of summer the people of Murmansk even
sunbathe and go swimming in Semyonovskoye Lake in the northern part of the city. Those who
have never been to Murmansk are positive that polar bears roam the deserted streets. This
is a slight exaggeration. Quite a few people live in Murmansk, in fact 406,000 from 35
different nationalities. It is a city of high-rise buildings and bustling streets, full of
visitors, tourists and those on business. Equally, sailors from far and wide come here to
work. The 10 largest hotels in Murmansk are never empty. Murmansk has an interesting
history. It was founded in the reign of the Romanov Tsar, Nicholas II, on October 4th 1916
and was originally called Romanov-on Murman. In 1917 the town was renamed Murmansk.
Detailed information on the history of Murmansk and the Kola polar regions can easily be
obtained from the Murmansk Regional Museum of Local History and Economy. This book is just
confined to the most significant facts of the past.
Murmansk is a maritime town. All of its large enterprises are connected with the sea.
These include the Merchant Sea Port (founded in 1915), the Fishing Port (1934), the first
Russian Trawler Fleet (1920), the Murmanribprom Fleet (1949), the Sevribkholodflot Fleet
(1965), the fish produce manufacturing industries, the Murmansk Shipyard Association, the
Murmansk Shipping Company. Fairly recently some firms have been created specializing in
the exploration of oil and gas in the northern seas.
Murmansk is the scientific and cultural centre of the polar region. As a visitor to the
city you need never be bored. Even on a short trip you will have time to visit museums, to
see various exhibitions, to go to the theatre, to the Philharmonic. Well worth visiting
are the Oceanarium and the world's largest ship, Sedov, as well as one of the atomic
ice-breakers. Big sporting events and concerts held in the Ice Palace also await you. The
citizens of Murmansk themselves gladly go to Palaces of Culture, to clubs, the libraries
are always full, the most frequented being the Regional Science Library. There are nearly
30 statues and monuments in Murmansk, some of which are unique. If, apart from your tour
guide, you also happen to know someone who lives in Murmansk, then no doubt you will be
taken to stroll through quiet hidden backstreets and picturesque neighbourhoods. In winter
you may be invited to go skiing in the hills and in summer to picnic by beautiful lakes.
From Murmansk across the Gulf of Kola to the Barents Sea is a distance of 50 km. There are
regular boat trips to the open sea and cruises to the islands of Spitsbergen and Novaya
Zemlya and even to the North Pole. The most northern trolleybuses in the world travel
along the streets of Murmansk. In the 33 years since their introduction they have clocked
up 133,000,000 km, which is equivalent to going round the world along the equator 3,319
times. And this is with 2 billion passengers. Why don't you go for a ride on the 3,320th
trip!
The majority of the population of Murmansk are Russian Orthodox. There are 3 Russian
Orthodox churches in the city: The Cathedral of St. Nicholas, the Church of St. Trifon of
Pechenga and the Church of St. Panteleymon. Also, however, there are people of other
religious faiths living in Murmansk. And these include Catholics, Evangelical Christian
Baptists, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutherans, members of the New
Apostle Church, Muslims, Buddhists and believers in Krishna. They all treat each other
with respect and some are even building their own churches.
Murmansk is one of the most important cities for the Russian fleet. The 300th year
anniversary of its creation was commemorated with a royal visit by members of the Imperial
House of Romanov lead by the heir to the throne and the Grand Princess Maria Vladimirovna.
Murmansk is one of the few Russian towns which was not occupied by the Nazis during the
Second World War. For more than 3 years fascist forces led an embittered air and land
attack, completely destroying the town, but nonetheless, never managing to take it. For
its heroism Murmansk, along with other cities of the former Soviet Union, was given the
title, Hero City. In Murmansk you will discover much that is unexpected and surprising.
Come to Murmansk and you will have lots to tell when you get back home about the largest
city in the world above the Arctic Circle.this is with 2 billion passengers. Why don't you
go for a ride on the 3,320th trip! The majority of the population of Murmansk are Russian
Orthodox. There are 3 Russian Orthodox churches in the city: The Cathedral of St.
Nicholas, the Church of St. Trifon of Pechenga and the Church of St. Panteleymon. Also,
however, there are people of other religious faiths living in Murmansk. And these include
Catholics, Evangelical Christian Baptists, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses,
Lutherans, members of the New Apostle Church, Muslims, Buddhists and believers in Krishna.
They all treat each other with respect and some are even building their own churches.
Murmansk is one of the most important cities for the Russian fleet. The 300th year
anniversary of its creation was commemorated with a royal visit by members of the Imperial
House of Romanov lead by the heir to the throne and the Grand Princess Maria Vladimirovna.
Murmansk is one of the few Russian towns which was not occupied by the Nazis during the
Second World War. For more than 3 years fascist forces led an embittered air and land
attack, completely destroying the town, but nonetheless, never managing to take it. For
its heroism Murmansk, along with other cities of the former Soviet Union, was given the
title, Hero City. In Murmansk you will discover much that is unexpected and surprising.
Come to Murmansk and you will have lots to tell when you get back home about the largest
city in the world above the Arctic Circle.