Military history in Zapolyarny

A specific cultural and historical point of interest in Zapolyarny is the Military History Museum “Boevoy slavy”. It was founded on 7 May 1987 and preserves unique exhibits from the Great Patriotic War. The museum’s “Petsamo” search group conducts expeditions to battle sites. The collection and the search group’s expedition activities thus represent two aspects of the military history theme. If you would like to visit the museum, check the booking arrangements in advance.

Culture in Murmansk Oblast

Umba is another cultural and historical focus in Murmansk Oblast, with its Pomor culture and local history. Along the “Starinnaya pomorskaya derevnya Umba” walking trail, there are seven information panels. They cover the history of the settlement, as well as the Pomors, their livelihoods, and their daily life. The guided “Starinnaya pomorskaya derevnya Umba” walking trail is 5.5 kilometres long, follows a river to the sea, and offers insights into northern wooden architecture and the daily life of the Pomors. Book the guided tour at least two days in advance and check the current arrangements.

The Museum of History, Culture and Daily Life of the Tersky Pomors in Umba covers livelihoods from the 18th to the early 20th century. These include fishing, hunting marine mammals, shipbuilding, and pearl fishing. The exhibition also explores crafts from the same period: carpentry and joinery, woodworking, shoemaking, as well as women’s crafts and needlework.

The Tonia “Tetrina” is an open-air history and ethnography complex documented since the 15th century. Umba is also home to a literary museum dedicated to Dmitri Balashov, located in the Tersky Intermunicipal Library. The Amethyst Museum in Umba covers the deposit at Cape Korabl, natural and synthetic varieties of quartz, and amethysts from deposits across Russia and the world. Check the respective access and opening arrangements before visiting either museum.

Nature and rock art in Murmansk Oblast

The natural landscape of Murmansk Oblast includes Teriberka Nature Park and the Batereysky Waterfall. The nature park protects nesting sites of rare bird species and two bird colonies of kittiwakes and rare cormorants. Protected features also include plants listed in the Red Data Book and natural monuments such as the cliffs of Teriberka. Water from Lake Maloye Batareyskoye plunges over steep rocks to form the Batereysky Waterfall, which flows into the Barents Sea. Visiting the nature park requires a permit, which must be applied for online, and a fee. Check the current process before your trip.

The Kanozero petroglyphs are another regional attraction. The “Petroglyphs of Kanozero” Museum Reserve offers a trip to Kanozero, where a federally significant rock art complex is located on islands. A water route on the Umba passes through Kanozero to this complex. Check current dates and conditions in advance for the organised trip.

Discover more destinations: Lovozero, Shonguy, Verkhnetulomsky, Kandalaksha, Pushnoy, Kirovsk, Kildinstroy, Murmansk

Return to the main travel overview: Murmansk Oblast.