Pechengsky District: Pasvik, Nikel and History

Pasvik Nature Reserve lies on the border with Norway; at 12,262 metres deep, the Kola Superdeep Borehole is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Nikel is home to the reserve’s visitor centre and a local history museum. Korzunovo is associated with Gagarin’s service there in the late 1950s and with his museum; the Church of Saints Boris and Gleb was built in 1565 on the left bank of the Paz River.

Pasvik Nature Reserve lies in Pechengsky District on the border with Norway and is considered a protected area of special ecological interest. A permit is required to visit the protected area because it is located in a border zone. Check the current permit procedure directly with the reserve before your trip.

The reserve’s visitor centre is located in Nikel, outside the border zone. Its permanent exhibition offers insights into the reserve’s history and nature. To visit the centre, make an appointment by calling +7 815 54 50 700.

Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin, the first human in space, served in the settlement of Korzunovo in the late 1950s. The Gagarin Museum there displays the cosmonaut’s personal belongings and “space gifts” from Star City. Check the current visiting arrangements before your visit.

In Nikel, the local history museum presents the history of the Sámi, the Vikings, and the Russian Pomors in the region. The Church of Saints Boris and Gleb also offers a tangible historical connection: it stands near the settlement of Borisoglebsky on the border with Norway and was built in 1565 on the left bank of the Paz River.

The fighting on the Petsamo–Kirkenes Front ended in October 1944 with the liberation of the Pechenga area and the eastern parts of Norway’s Finnmark province. The Kola Superdeep Borehole is part of the district’s technological history: at 12,262 metres deep, it is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s deepest borehole. If you plan to visit it as a specific destination, check access arrangements in advance.

In Nikel, the libraries also offer ways to learn about the town and its themes. The central library organises walks through Nikel accompanied by a librarian; these must be booked in advance by arrangement. The central children’s library offers nature and history excursions along Nikel’s streets, both in person and online.

The formats differ: the central library’s accompanied walks require prior arrangement, while the children’s library offers excursions in person and online. When planning your trip, you can consider whether an in-person walk or a digital offering better suits your plans.

The Pechenga Library Organisation offers excursions to natural landmarks in the area around Nikel. These include a cedar grove and a waterfall on the Shuoniyoki River. A bus is required for these excursions, which must be booked in advance by arrangement. The destinations are in the area around Nikel, not necessarily within the district.

Another cross-border connection is the Friendship Ski Race. The cross-country ski race route crosses the borders of three countries; the event is considered a symbol of Pechengsky District. Alongside natural and cultural sites, the region’s thematic map therefore includes a sporting connection and a cross-border route.

Discover more destinations: Tersky District, Kandalaksha, Tersky District, Severomorsk, Monchegorsk, Kirovsk, Murmansk.

Do you need a permit to visit Pasvik Nature Reserve?

Yes. A permit is required to visit the protected area because it is located in a border zone. Check the current procedure with the reserve before your trip.

What can you see at the Gagarin Museum in Korzunovo?

On display are Yuri Gagarin’s personal belongings and “space gifts” from Star City. Check the current visiting arrangements before your visit.

What should you know about excursions to natural landmarks in the area around Nikel?

A bus is required for excursions to the natural landmarks mentioned. They must be booked in advance by arrangement.

For the broader travel overview: Murmansk Oblast.