Murmansk (Му́рманск), Russia

Murmansk, Russia
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BE%D0%BD.jpg
Author: Лобанов Вячеслав


Murmansk (Russian: Му́рманск) is a city on the extreme northwest of Russia. This city is closer to Norway and Finland than it is to Moscow. It is on Kola Bay, which opens into the Barents Sea, on the northern shore of Kola Peninsula.

Murmansk Railway Station
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Murmansk_Train_station.jpg
Author: Antonio Bonanno


Murmansk covers 150 sq km (58 sq mi) and has a population of 308,000 people (2011 estimate). It observes the Moscow Standard Time (UTC+4). Murmansk experiences a subarctic climate. The winters here are cold and long, without sun for long durations, while the summers are short, mild, and with days when the sun does not set.

Warmest month in Murmansk is July, when the average high temperature reaches 17.2°C (63°F). Coldest month is January, with average low temperature of -13.9°C (7°F). August is the wettest month with 68 mm (2.68 in) of precipitation. Snow can be expected from October to May. There are no sunshine days in December and January, while July receives 235 hours of sunshine.

Oblast Drama Theater, Murmansk
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oblastnoi_dramteatr_murmansk.jpg
Author: Azalaza


Murmansk is the last city to be founded by the Russian Empire (before the Russian Revolution brought its collapse). It was established in 1915 to support construction needs during World War I, so that a railway line could be built linking the ice-free Murman coast to Petrozavodsk.

Murmansk was originally named Romanov-na-Murmane (Рома́нов-на-Му́рмане), after the royal Russian dynasty of Romanovs. After the February Revolution of 1917, the association with royalty was dropped, and the city got its present name.

Murmansk provided Russia with a vital window to the Western world during the Second World War, with supplies moving both ways between the Soviet Union and its Allies partners. As such it was the target of the Nazis, and the city suffered severe destruction during a 1941 offensive. However, fierce Soviet resistance, coupled with the harsh climate was to the Russian advantage, preventing the Germans from capturing the city and cutting of Russian's supply artery.

Downtown Murmansk
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%A3%D0%BB._%D0%9A%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%B0.jpg
Author: Insider


During the Cold War period, Murmansk was the base for Soviet submarines and icebreakers, until the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union, when it continued to serve as the base for the Russian Northern Fleet.

Visiting Murmansk

Murmansk Airport receives flights from Moscow, St Petersburg, Helsinki and Tromsø. The airport is about 40 km from downtown Murmansk. Although there is a public bus, taking it may be full of hassle. In any case, bus 106 takes you to Murmansk Railway Station. For more peace of mind on arrival, you should pre-book your taxi. That would cost you 600 rubles. Taking a taxi off the curb at the airport will cost 1000 rubles.

Sights & Attractions in Murmansk

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