Valley of Glory (Murmansk Region): how to get there

Although the war with fascist Germany ended long ago, our country still keeps traces of those terrible years. The Kola Peninsula is one of the most striking examples. Today these places attract many tourists. They come from different republics of the former USSR and even from abroad to watch the festivities, or simply get to know the conditions under which our soldiers fought and what cost them their victory.

A bit of geography

Valley of Glory is located on the right bank of the Western Face River. From Murmansk only 40 kilometers. This is if you move in a straight line. And you will go by car along the road - already 74. Generally it is not far from the place where the Western Face River is widely spread.

The valley hid between the gentle hills. It stretches for thousands of meters. In some places it is interrupted. Then a stream runs, a swamp underfoot, or even a pass at all. This is a beautiful place. After all, here is a rare, unusual for the northern latitudes landscape plains. In summer the grass is quite high everywhere. Silence. Only birds sing. Very majestic, solemn. Already captures the spirit.

Change name

Here along the river (from July to November 1941) and passed the defense line. Today it is even difficult to imagine how in such places it was possible to conduct at least some, the simplest military actions. In addition, the summer is cool here. Tundra! And they were holding a defense here in the autumn. So our people had very considerable losses in battles, not just because of such, say mild, unsightly weather conditions.

And how many difficulties it was to deliver weapons and ammunition to the soldiers. To this day in this area there are different remnants of both Soviet and German equipment, weapons.

But people withstood everything. It was the Valley of Glory that became an insurmountable obstacle to the German troops. They were ordered to capture Murmansk in the shortest possible time. To do this, here, through the impassable tundra, sent "Norway" - the mountain building. He consisted mainly of Austrian and Norwegian soldiers. They commanded the German Colonel-General Edward Dietl.

But the enemy received a powerful rebuff from Soviet troops when he tried to cross the river. The military, led by the commander of the 205th Infantry Regiment, Anatoly Ivannikov, not only resisted and did not let the enemy go further, but they were badly battered twice superior to the forces of the enemy.

And they even fought on their fists. There were real hand-to-hand fights. After all, it was incredibly difficult to deliver weapons and cartridges to the tundra, and even off-road.

And such fights Valley of Glory (Murmansk region) saw a lot. On the banks of the river during the entire confrontation, more than two thousand people died. And on the surrounding hills - for several tens of kilometers - still scattered German weapons.

Also, intact and safe trenches, fortifications. Yes, a lot of our brave fighters fell in here. It is no accident that the soldiers nicknamed this place the Valley of Death. And in our days the name has been changed to a lighter, memorable one.

Memorial to Defenders

Today the Valley of Glory is, first of all, a large Memorial complex. It is built on the site of those tragic and heroic battles. And here is the burial place of soldiers and officers. Warriors who have done everything to the enemy did not go any further, deep into the country.

Five years ago the complex was updated. A reburial was also done. And every year on May 9, the Valley of Glory receives thousands of people who specially come here from everywhere. They want to honor the memory of those who defended the Arctic. Meetings and conversations, stories of witnesses and researchers, historians, other various events are arranged here. Activists of military-historical clubs in the field of past battles are digging.

Features, attractions

The terrain itself is very beautiful. She has such a stern, severe, restrained look. That is, you can come here not only to see the famous memorial, but also to admire the unusual nature of the tundra. And also learn something else interesting.

Here such was the fact. The Germans built a road (in the Titovka area) in 1941-42 . Cable! Purpose: to supply your parts with everything necessary. This order was issued by Ferdinand Scherner (General of the Sixth Mountain Division).

Carrying capacity of a cable car is those: from 150 up to 250 kgs. A single cable was in its design, the so-called traction-bearing. Closed in a circle. Plus the drive.

Of course, the Germans also used the work of our prisoners of war for this ...

The longest cable car

Today anyone can see the remains of this impressive engineering system. We collected it from separate sections. Each was like a loading and unloading platform. She worked herself and did not depend on others. The trailers were of two types. Or a wooden platform, or a bucket of metal. Fastened to a shaped hanger of metal. When the trolleys got to the station, they disconnected from the cable (automatically). And already on the monorail (also suspended) they were manually rolled.

When the Germans retreated, they themselves damaged it. Dismantled the cable car our specialists after the war. They started up for economic needs.

It was the longest military cable car.

Good Holidays

There was a desire to come here? The final destination of the trip is clear: Valley of Glory (Murmansk region). How to get there, it remains only to find out. But you will read about this below.

Activities in the Valley of Glory are diverse. So, there is a large volunteer project dedicated to the heroes of the Great Victory. The second movement has the same character - "Nobody is forgotten. And nothing is forgotten. "

And then there's the Watch of Memory. Many have heard of it. This June, for example, a team from two settlements went along the line of defense (on the Western Face). The guys took a few burials. Have drawn up a plan of works on their restoration - for the summer of this year. They also cleared the graves of rubbish. They embellished them with colors.

They finished their watch on June 22 this year. And, of course, on the important Tito boundary.

Unforgettable meetings every year

Valley of Glory (Murmansk region) receives guests from everywhere. War veterans, their relatives and friends, "children of war", workers of the rear for the event, who repeats annually the same number go. This, as you may have guessed, is the Victory Day in the Valley of Glory.

This May, as always, there was a rally. It was the laying of flowers and wreaths at the memorials of the Memorial Complex. Representatives of the club "Zapolyarny Boundary" arranged a reconstruction of military events. It was very impressive. Passed and the military song contest. Then talked to the veterans.

70th Anniversary of the Victory

Two days passed the celebrations this year. After all, the date is great! The main theme of the holiday was patriotic education. Therefore, compared to previous years, the Valley of Glory has shown more exhibitions - military equipment, small arms. And also various thematic expositions. Work and field kitchen.

The organizers of these large-scale celebrations were greatly assisted by volunteers - young children, students - future social workers. So the holiday in the Valley of Glory turned out to be memorable.

On your car

Well, we convinced you to come here and see for yourself, what is this famous Valley of Glory? How to get there, we will tell you in detail.

By car itinerary is like that. Take a course from Murmansk directly to the south. Move only along Podgornaya Street. And at the first large turn to the right to collapse. Enter the bridge. We drove, went down. And again a turn on the track (on its right side). So you drive 74 kilometers. And immediately opens a beautiful view of the Memorial.

Are you the first time in these parts, in the Arctic, and your goal is the Valley of Glory (Murmansk region)? How to get there, you naturally want to know. We advise you to choose a bus. Several flights go from Murmansk to Pechenga, also to Zapolyarny, to Zaozersk. Suitable for Kirkines.

They leave on a daily basis. One by one they follow every hour. Read the schedule beforehand. And be sure to specify the time of departure of the last bus.