A Travellerspoint blog

Roadtrip Russia (3) World War North Front to Murmansk

2.000 km from St. Petersburg via Murmansk to Kirkenes (then another 550 km to the Nordkapp)

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The Kola Highway M18 leading north from St. Petersburg to Murmansk. Roads in Russia are usually well maintained and icefree. Much better than in the neighbouring Baltics and Scandinavia.

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In beautiful Karelia, at frozen Lake Onega, Russia's lifeline to St. Petersburg during the siege in WW II

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Special winter diesel for the cold temperatures

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After crossing the Polar Circle, the sun never rises above the horizon in part of January

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Murmansk used to be a closed city for foreigners in the Cold War

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At the Arctic Hotel Murmansk, apparently the biggest building above the Polar Circle, currently being refurbished.

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Part of the huge harbour of Murmansk with its fleet of atomic icebreakers

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Continuing towards Kirkenes in Norway, the road is lined with huge military installations on both sides. This area was the only direct European border between Nato and Russia - and one of the biggest theatres in WW II.

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Posted by LuxuryRogue 03:16 Archived in Russia

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