Cities of the Kola Peninsula: Monchegorsk

The most green city of the Kola Peninsula

Monchegorsk was founded in 1937 on the Monche Tundra as a village for geologists and builders. Today it is the third largest city in the Murmansk region with 45,000 inhabitants.

Monchegorsk City is called "Pearl in palms of Laplandia". In Saami language the word "Monche" means "beautiful". Mountains of Monche-tundra adjoin the west side of the city. Behind them a magnificent view to the Khibiny tundra’s tops opens up. Three blue lakes almost divide the city in islands. You can see Monchegorsk City from the high point located on a mountain slope.

The biggest Orthodox Cathedral of Murmansk region is one of major places of interest in Monchegorsk city. Its name is "Temple of God Ascension". Its walls were painted by famous icon-painters from Moscow with very special school. If you are lucky and visit the Cathedral during a holiday service, you have possibility to listen to a beautiful church choir.
It's really worth to visit the Cathedral when you are in Monchegorsk!

You can learn more about the history of Monchegorsk if you visit to the local History and Economy museum. Also we recommend you to visit the Museum of Color Stones.
You can try yourself in driving karts in a Go-kart centre and taste a juicy shashlik – pieces of roasted meat cooked on charcoal.

Valery Tsyganov - the most known, almost legendary Russian mountain-skier (now - the chairman of a Committee on Sports and Tourism of Murmansk region) - was born and grown up in Monchegorsk and trained on slopes of the neighbouring Monche mountains. The Tsyganov's Award mountain skiing competition is held in Monchegorsk annually in the beginning of April.

The Sport Palace offers you a lot of possibilities to spend your time for health and fun: a 25 meter swimming pool, a cosy sauna, a gym with a great diversity of training equipment, a big sport Hal for playing ball sports, tennis, table tennis, badminton etc.

In winter the Alpine slope waits for lovers of downhill skiing as well as those who prefer cross-country skiing can rent modern ski equipment. The Ice Stadium gives an opportunity to skate listening to nice music. For those whose hobby is shopping, Monchegorsk opens doors of hundreds shops where you can find all possible diversity of goods. The city has several restaurants where delicious food is offered accompanied by music and possibility to dance.

You are very welcome to meet the City Monchegorsk!!!