Kandalaksha

Kandalaksha sits on the White Sea coast at the head of Kandalaksha Gulf, north of the Arctic Circle at 67 degrees latitude. The town spreads along the shore with low buildings and port facilities scattered between forested hills inland.

The settlement began in 1526 as a fishing post and grew when the railway line between Moscow and Murmansk reached here in 1918. Afterward it developed into a hub for freight and passenger traffic toward the Kola Peninsula.

The name comes from a Sami word related to water, and today the shore remains tied to fishing and navigation. Walking through town, you notice boats and harbor structures that show how deeply life depends on the sea.

The town is reached through its railway station, which receives trains to Moscow and Murmansk several times a day. During summer, days last very long, while winter brings weeks of darkness, so visitors should prepare accordingly.

Because of its location above the Arctic Circle, the town experiences polar days in summer when the sun never sets, and polar nights in winter when it never rises. This play of light and darkness shapes daily routines and influences how people organize their time.