One of Nikel’s most significant attractions is the Pechenga District Historical and Local Lore Museum — one of the northernmost museums in the world, located not far from the Norwegian and Finnish borders. The museum is famous for its unique exhibits that tell the history of the Pechenga District from ancient times to the modern era. In this article we will describe what can be seen here.
History of the museum
The museum was founded in 1985 — it opened on July 21 in a separate building dating from the 1930s. The first exhibition consisted of items provided by local residents — mainly documents, letters and memoirs of participants in the Soviet-Finnish and Great Patriotic Wars. Almost all the items in the military exhibition today are originals found on battle sites.
The museum’s collection grew and new exhibitions appeared dedicated to various eras and aspects of life in the Pechenga District — from elements of the culture and daily life of the indigenous peoples of the Kola Peninsula — the Sami — to a collection of core samples (rock specimens).
Since 2000 the museum has been relocated to a new site: it was housed in the building of Children’s Art School No. 1 on Pechengskaya Street. On an area of about 500 sq. m there are around 5,000 exhibits. In 2017 the museum gained a conference hall for presentations, seminars and other events, as well as space for exhibitions and temporary displays.
The Sami, the monastery and echoes of war
The Historical and Local Lore Museum features six permanent exhibitions. The Sami hall contains authentic items and clothing of the Pechenga Sami and neighboring indigenous peoples — Pomors, Karelians and others who inhabited these lands at different times. The military exhibition is presented with weapons, equipment, parts of combat gear and original documents from the periods of the Soviet-Finnish and Great Patriotic Wars, battles of which took place on the territory of the present-day Pechenga District.
Separate exhibitions are dedicated to local record-holders — the Pechenga Monastery, the northernmost Orthodox monastery in the world, and the Kola Superdeep Borehole — the deepest man-made structure in the world. Visitors can also learn the history of the city of Zapolyarny and find out how the Pechenganickel plant was created and operated.
In addition, the museum displays items provided by the Central Museum of Cosmonautics — they are devoted to Yuri Gagarin and Georgy Shonin, who served in these parts.
Ruble. Pechenga District Historical and Local Lore Museum. Source: vk.com/nikel.muzei
Sami cradle. Pechenga District Historical and Local Lore Museum. Source: vk.com/nikel.muzei
Programs
In addition to permanent exhibitions, the museum hosts temporary ones — exhibitions of private collections, photography, painting and much more. For example, this past January visitors could see an exhibition of toy Ded Morozes and Snegurochkas provided by residents of the Pechenga District, an exhibition of feathers of rare bird species provided by the Pasvik Reserve, a collection of women's headdresses of the peoples of the North from the museum’s own holdings, as well as various photo exhibitions. Such events are held regularly throughout the year. Currently an exhibition dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Pechenga District Prosecutor’s Office is being prepared — it will open at the beginning of March.
Evgeny Maruchok, director of the Pechenga District Historical and Local Lore Museum:
"We plan to conduct tours for children as part of the 'Tourism to School' project. Primarily, with young visitors we will talk about the history of the district and introduce them to real events that took place in our territory at different times."
A significant part of the museum’s events are educational in nature and aimed at schoolchildren and preschoolers. As part of the 'Znam Znamych' program, monthly educational seminars and competitions are held with children aged 6–12. For children with disabilities the museum has run the 'Step Forward' program since 2017, which includes master classes, quests and quizzes dedicated to studying the native land. Many schools in Murmansk Oblast organize excursions to the Pechenga District Museum for their pupils; in 2021 the museum received the title of the best museum in the region.
Stuffed ptarmigan. Pechenga District Historical and Local Lore Museum. Source: vk.com/nikel.muzei
Mattertinsky jasper. Pechenga District Historical and Local Lore Museum. Source: vk.com/nikel.muzei
Tablecloth, crocheted. Pechenga District Historical and Local Lore Museum. Source: vk.com/nikel.muzei
The museum today
Today, with the growing number of tourists to the Pechenga District, the museum’s attendance has increased significantly. Since 2024 the museum’s management has been cooperating with tour operators who include a visit to the exhibitions as a mandatory part of tours of the border district. The Pechenga District Historical and Local Lore Museum in Nikel is one of the main attractions of the Pechenga District; by visiting it you will not only see a collection of unique authentic artifacts but also learn about the history and culture of this region.
