Kirkenes: The City between East and West
About the Tour
Partly due to it’s location at the edge of Norway, Kirkenes has experienced an incredible journey through the ages. On this tour you’ll come to know this beautiful city’s proud history, from a time of the Skolt Sami language, to it’s evolution into a mining town, to the city’s near total destruction during World War 2. Today Kirkenes is an international melting pot that enjoys a friendly coexistence with those across the border in Russia.
Tour Producer
Stormposten Lars Engerengen
In the northern reaches of Europe, amidst the crisp air and breathtaking landscapes, resides an Arctic storyteller whose words weave magic into the frozen silence. Meet Lars Engerengen, a passionate narrator of the Arctic wilderness, a voice that carries the echoes of history and the whispers of untamed nature.
Living beneath the shimmering Northern Lights and the endless glow of the Midnight Sun, Lars discovered his fascination for the Arctic’s lore in childhood. Nights spent listening to age-old tales by the fireside sparked a curiosity that would shape his life’s journey. That spark grew into a flame as he ventured across icy tundras, sailed through fjords, and trekked along snow-laden paths, collecting stories etched into the land and its people.
His storytelling is more than words—it is an immersive experience. With a voice that soothes and inspires, Lars transports listeners to remote landscapes where ancient myths meet modern realities. Through his narratives, one feels the biting wind, hears the crunch of snow underfoot, and senses the resilience of those who carved out life in this harsh yet beautiful region.
Lars doesn't tell you everything, but he tells you enough to pique your curiosity. Enough to make you want to learn more. Enough to make you want to stay a while longer.
Join Lars on a journey beyond the ordinary—a voyage into the soul of the Arctic. Each tale is an invitation to explore a world where nature reigns supreme, and history lingers in every frozen breath. Step into the story, and let the Arctic speak through him.
Preview Location
Location 13
Open border - 1965
We're very close to the Russian border, and in this borderland, there were 59 days in 1965 that make up ingredients worthy of a spy movie.
Suddenly, the Soviet Union opened the border post, letting Norwegians enter th... Read More
How VoiceMap Works
Major Landmarks
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Kirkenes Terminal
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Hurtigruten Kirkenes Ship-terminal
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Visit Kirkenes SA
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Soviet Liberation Monument
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Andersgrotta
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Kirkenes
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Kirkenes Church
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start location9900 Kirkenes, Norway -
Total distance2km -
Final locationKirkegata 5, 9900 Kirkenes, Norway -
Distance back to start location1km
Directions to Starting Point
You should start at the entrance gate of the Hurtigruten port, with your back at the sea.
Getting to the port is possible by taking bus 110, or by your own car. You follow the E6 passing "Spareland", and then take the next left - there are a big parking lot by the port.
Tips
Places to stop along the way
Harbour, The memorial of the Russian soldier, Kirkenes Church
Best time of day
During daylight hours.
Precautions
Some of the sidewalks can be narrow. Watch out for traffic.
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