Filming in Murmansk and Arctic regions of Russia
Murmansk Region is the gem of the Russian Arctic located close to Scandinavia with long polar nights and bright Northern Lights.
Filming in Murmansk Region: Geography and Climate
Murmansk region is mostly located on the Kola Peninsula and has a total area of 145,000 km² (90,098 mi²). Most of the region lies within the Arctic circle. It borders Finland and Norway. Most of the peninsula was covered by glacier in the Ice Age, so today there are thousands of lakes and rivers.
The picturesque Khibiny mountains are located in the middle of the peninsula. Average temperature is -10˚C (14˚F) in the winter and 13˚C (55˚F) in the summer.
The region is one of the few ares on Earth where you can see Northern lights. Also, due to the proximity of the North Pole, there are polar nights in the winter. The sun doesn't rise for over a month, including in big cities. The so-called white nights are the opposite phenomenon -- for a few weeks in May and June it never really gets dark.
Filming in Murmansk Region: History and Culture
First traces of humans found in the area date back to 8th-7th centuries BC. A thousand years later, it was inhabited by the Finno-Ugric Sami (or Lapp) tribes. centuries Kola Peninsula was discovered by Novgorodians.
Most of the time, the region was far away from any foreign interference and had a tiny population of just a few thousand people. However, during the Crimean War (1853-1856) Kola Peninsula was attacked by the British Empire. The British Navy burned down Kandalaksha and Kola - the main trading cities of this region.
During the WWII, Kola Peninsula was the northernmost massive battleground. Nazi troops and their allied Finland were trying to capture the region. The city of Murmansk was completely destroyed.
Murmansk played one of the most important parts in the whole World War II, as it was a major port of the Arctic Convoys -- British and US shipments of arms and military hardware to help the Soviet Union fight the Nazis. Over 1,000 ships full of military aid reached Murmansk and Arkhangelsk, affecting the whole course of war.
Filming in Murmansk Region: Population
The region is is populated with about 750,000 people. Russians are the majority with 85% of the population.
The indigenous nationality ofthe land, the Lapps, have been forced out of their traditional locations and activities like breeding reindeer. Today, there are less than 2,000 of them in Russia and just around 60,000 in the world.
Filming in Murmansk Region: Cities
The biggest city and the capital is Murmansk with just 300,000 residents. It is the biggest city within the Arctic Circle The second biggest city is Apatity with 56,000 people living in it.
Filming in Murmansk Region: How to Get
Murmansk is connected with Moscow and St. Petersburg by daily flights. It takes only 2.5 hours.
Filming in Murmansk Region: Interesting facts
- Murmansk was featured in David Fincher's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008);
- One of the most famous Russian movies of the past few decades, Leviathan (2014) was seet and filmed in the Murmansk region;
- While travelling around the area, famous biologist Carl Linnaeus said that it could be called the heaven on earth if there were no mosquitos;
- Murmansk seaquarium is the only one built within the polar circle;
- During the polar night, the authorities warn of higher risk of depression and immune system problems and advice to take vitamins;
- Murmansk region has the deepest borehole in the world called the Kola Superdeep Borehole. It goes down more than 12 km (7.5 miles);
- An urban legend known as the "Well to Hell" holds it that scientists recorded strange noises resembling screams and moans in the borehole;
- A Soviet nuclear-powered icebreaker called Lenin is permanently stationed in Murmansk. Tours are available;
- Kola peninsula has a 50,000-strong livestock of reindeer, which is reducing fast;
- The main base of the Russian Northern Fleet is located in Severomorsk, just 25 km from Murmansk.
Murmansk
Lighthouse in Murmansk
Murmansk Port
Murmansk: Kola Bay
Murmansk Port
Railway station in Murmansk
Murmansk Regional Court
Murmansk: Residential area
Ancient churches in Varzuga village, Murmansk region
Varzuga village
Varzuga village
Northern lights on the Barents Sea coast
Northern lights
Lake Imandra in the fall
Lake Lovozero in the Tundra
Lake Tahtarjavr
Mountain river in spring
Forrest in the fall
Reindeer horns on the Barents Sea coast
River in the Taiga
Barents Sea coast in the winter
Village landscape in the winter
City of Monchegorsk
City of Kandalaksha
City of Apatity
Settlement of Teriberka
One of the most critically acclaimed Russian movies of the past few decades, Leviathan (2014) was set and shot in Teriberka
Sunken ships near Teriberka
Teriberka
Snowy peak in Khibiny mountains
Murmansk
Lighthouse in Murmansk
Murmansk Port
Murmansk: Kola Bay
Murmansk Port
Railway station in Murmansk
Murmansk Regional Court
Murmansk: Residential area
Ancient churches in Varzuga village, Murmansk region
Varzuga village
Varzuga village
Northern lights on the Barents Sea coast
Northern lights
Lake Imandra in the fall
Lake Lovozero in the Tundra
Lake Tahtarjavr
Mountain river in spring
Forrest in the fall
Reindeer horns on the Barents Sea coast
River in the Taiga
Barents Sea coast in the winter
Village landscape in the winter
City of Monchegorsk
City of Kandalaksha
City of Apatity
Settlement of Teriberka
One of the most critically acclaimed Russian movies of the past few decades, Leviathan (2014) was set and shot in Teriberka
Sunken ships near Teriberka
Teriberka
Snowy peak in Khibiny mountains