In Tersky District, discoveries range from Pomor history and historic buildings to the petroglyphs at Kanozero. When planning your trip, it is worth considering these highlights separately: museums and old settlements tell the story of everyday life and crafts, while visiting the petroglyphs involves a separate excursion by car and boat. Hiking trails and recurring events offer further perspectives on the region.
Pomor History and Buildings
The Museum of the History, Culture and Way of Life of the Terek Pomors in Umba covers their economic and occupational activities from the 18th to the early 20th century. Topics include fishing, hunting marine mammals, boatbuilding, and pearl fishing. Crafts are also represented, including carpentry and joinery, woodworking, shoemaking, as well as women's crafts and needlework. An ethnographic museum in Umba also presents the life and customs of the Pomors. To prepare for the hiking trail to the old Pomor settlement, a visit to the exhibition at the Museum of Everyday Life and Crafts of the Terek Pomors in Umba is recommended; check the current visitor arrangements in advance.
The historic settlement of Umba has been known since the beginning of the 15th century and can be visited independently. Tonya Tetrina offers another way to explore the past: the place has been documented since the 15th century and, according to the account, actually existed as early as the 12th century. Tonya Tetrina was reconstructed at its original location as faithfully to the original as possible and operates as a historical and ethnographic open-air complex.
Two distinct architectural landmarks are central to the history of the village of Varzuga. The Rogozin family house was built in 1867 and is considered a traditional Pomor house belonging to a wealthy farmer. The restored Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God was built in 1674: the wooden church has tent-roof architecture. Together, the house and church represent two distinct architectural styles.
Petroglyphs at Kanozero
The Kanozero petroglyph complex consists of rock art on islands and is a cultural heritage site of federal significance. The rock images date from the 4th to the 2nd millennium BC. The main group includes more than 600 images, which can be viewed under a protective dome. In 2014, a transparent, ten-metre-high protective dome was built over a group of petroglyphs on Kamenny Island; it is described as unique in Russia.
The excursion to the petroglyphs travels by car from Umba to the rapids on the Nizma River. From there, the journey continues upstream by boat to Kanozero; participants also travel by boat between the petroglyph islands. A winter trip to Kanozero is possible, and the images can be viewed under the protective dome. Check the current arrangements and weather conditions with the museum before taking such an excursion.
Hiking Trail, Tides and River
The ecological and local-history trail “Old Pomor Village of Umba” runs along a river with rapids all the way to the White Sea. Information boards along the trail provide insights into the Pomors, their everyday life and traditional occupations. You can watch the tide go in or out along the route. Marine animals such as seals and belugas, as well as forest animals, can sometimes be seen; such encounters are explicitly occasional. The Umba River is very popular with tourists for rafting, although conditions can vary seasonally.
Annual Events
The Pomor Rowing Regatta takes place in Umba every year in mid-June. The competitions are held in traditional Pomor boats, including karbasses and podsyodki. Also in June, but only every three years, the International Folklore Festival brings together singers and folk-art craftspeople from northwestern Russia and neighbouring countries. The Tersky Coast hosts the Pomor kozuli festival every year in late summer, reflecting the centuries-old heritage and culture of the Pomors. If you want to plan your trip around an event, check the current dates in advance.
Discover more destinations: Vostochnoye Munozero, Umba, Severomorsk, Kirovsk, Tersky District, Monchegorsk, Olenegorsk and Pechengsky District.
Go to the main travel overview: Murmansk Oblast.
