Teriberka: At the Edge of the World

15 points11 km6 hours

Teriberka is a small settlement on the Kola Peninsula that has become a true gem for travelers. On this route you'll understand why the village became the most Instagrammable place in Russia and feel the atmosphere of a real “edge of the earth.” Even the most demanding foodies will be delighted by the fresh local sea urchins and scallops. And with a bit of luck you can photograph real whales, seals and, of course, a sky lit up by the northern lights.

Route author

Susanin Team

Things to do

🏞️ Enjoy the view
🌟 Make a wish
🌲🦋 Enjoy nature

Route points (15)

The Skeleton from “Leviathan” in Murmansk

Point on route “Teriberka: At the Edge of the World”

Point 3

The Skeleton from “Leviathan”

📚🎬 Recall films and books • 🔍🖼️ Spot interesting details

A New Life

Teriberka began a new life when the Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev chose it as the location for his film “Leviathan.” The film tells the troubled story of Nikolai Sergeyev, a car mechanic who lives with his wife and son by the sea. Teriberka's stark landscapes, captured in the film, became the place's calling card, drawing travelers eager to experience the power and beauty of these parts for themselves. Thanks to the film, Teriberka made National Geographic's list of the world's 20 most popular travel destinations, and since then visitors have come from all over the world.

A Film Prop

One of the film's most memorable details was a whale skeleton made especially for the shoot. This art object, made of steel rebar and plaster, is 28 meters (92 feet) long and weighs over a ton. The skeleton was originally brought to Teriberka as a temporary prop and removed after filming. But thanks to an initiative by the regional governor, it was restored and returned to its place, where it became not just a reminder of the film but a symbol of the village in its own right. And so a film about hopelessness, and the whale skeleton that symbolizes it, transformed Teriberka beyond recognition.