Umba: Pomor Culture, Museums and an Exhibition on Rock Art

Umba can be explored through a range of themes: the history of the Kanozero petroglyphs, the everyday life of the Tersky Pomors, minerals and traditional boats. Museums and exhibitions focus on different subjects; in mid-June, the annual Pomor rowing regatta adds another attraction. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Umba, these interests can help shape your travel plans: would you like to focus mainly on regional history, learn about minerals, or plan your stay around an event date?

Museums exploring petroglyphs and minerals

The exhibition hall of the Kanozero Petroglyphs Museum opened in Umba in September 2012. The exhibition covers the discovery and study of the rock art. Visitor options include a bookable guided tour and a film shot on the islands of Kanozero. Check current arrangements with the venue before your visit.

The Amethyst Museum in Umba offers a different perspective. Its exhibits cover the deposit at Cape Korabl, natural and artificial varieties of quartz, and amethysts from deposits across Russia and the world. There are also items made from amethyst and from other minerals and rocks of the Tersky Coast. The focus is therefore on both the origin and variety of minerals and how they are worked.

Pomor everyday life and traditional crafts

The Museum of the History, Culture and Everyday Life of the Tersky Pomors focuses on their ways of making a living from the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century. Exhibits cover fishing, hunting marine mammals, boatbuilding and pearl fishing. The Dmitry Balashov Literary Museum adds another perspective, with objects from the everyday lives of Tersky Pomor women: visitors can see a reconstructed type of women’s costume, historical photographs, as well as a spindle, laundry beater, spinning wheel and tub.

The subjects are easy to distinguish: one museum looks at livelihoods and ways of life over several centuries, while the other focuses on clothing, photographs and everyday objects. This can help you choose specific cultural interests rather than opt for a general sightseeing programme.

The Pomor rowing regatta in June

The Pomor rowing regatta takes place in Umba every year in mid-June. Traditional Pomor boats compete, including karbasy and podjesdki. If the regatta is important to your trip, plan around this period and check the dates for the relevant year. The event provides a clear seasonal highlight alongside the museum themes.

Further experiences in Murmansk Oblast

In the wider destination of Murmansk Oblast, a guided hiking trail in Umba covers 5.5 kilometres and explores northern wooden architecture and Pomor everyday life. Seven information boards along the route cover the settlement’s history as well as the Pomors, their livelihoods and everyday life. The trail follows a river and leads to the sea. The guided trail must be booked at least two days in advance; confirm the current arrangements beforehand.

Another regional perspective is offered by a water route on the Umba River, which passes through Kanozero to the Kanozero Petroglyphs complex. On foot, the guided hiking trail explores wooden architecture and Pomor everyday life; the water route links the river with Kanozero and the petroglyph complex. These different themes and ways of travelling can help you choose regional excursions to suit your interests, without confusing them with the museums in Umba.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Umba, you can first decide whether you want your stay to centre on the exhibitions, the regatta date or a guided regional excursion. The regatta takes place annually in mid-June; the guided hiking trail must be booked at least two days in advance. Check the specific event dates and excursion arrangements before finalising your trip.

Discover more destinations: Vostochnoye Munozero.

Return to the overview of the wider destination: Tersky District.