The city of Mezéň stands on the river... Mezeň. Unbelievable. It is an ancient city that was founded sometime before the 16th century; possibly by the Novgorodians. It was mentioned as early as the period of the rule of the Moscow Principality.
Streets in Mezeň look like this on average
1Streets in Mezeň look like this on average
Average two-story building
2Average two-story building
There are no antiques in the city, nor is there anything fancy. People go to the surrounding villages for that.
5There are no antiques in the city, nor is there anything fancy. People go to the surrounding villages for that.
It is a port city; at least, it was. It is located almost at the mouth of a river in the White Sea, specifically in the part open to the Barents Sea.
Such a beautiful day, of course, should have ended accordingly.
1Such a beautiful day, of course, should have ended accordingly.
Run to the river!
2Run to the river!
Mezen River.
5Mezen River.
A charmingly soft landscape~
7A charmingly soft landscape~
The warm North Atlantic Drift is hardly felt here, which is why the northern city of Múrmansk regularly sets records for the highest temperatures in Russia during the winter. The wind is constant, and though weak, it is quite biting.
What are you, crows, doing overwintering here?
1What are you, crows, doing overwintering here?
Radar complex.
2Radar complex.
Our team decided to head out into the vicinity of Mezeň.
3Our team decided to head out into the vicinity of Mezeň.
If there are still tall trees by the river, then slightly further away from it, the firs decrease rapidly.
4If there are still tall trees by the river, then slightly further away from it, the firs decrease rapidly.
The goal of the hike was the tundra and a possible northern lights display!
5The goal of the hike was the tundra and a possible northern lights display!
We didn't notice him...
6We didn't notice him...
However, a purple light clearly started to be transmitted to the camera.
7However, a purple light clearly started to be transmitted to the camera.
Of the medieval Russian settlements, even before Yermak's campaign against the Siberian Khanate, only Pustozérsk (not far from Naryan-Mar in the Pechora valley) existed further northeast of Mezeň, but only an archeological site remains of it.
Mezeň was our home for the next 4 nights. The local guesthouse, which I didn't capture on camera, is very cozy, clean, and recently renovated. The rooms accommodate 3 people and have their own bathroom. In addition to providing a place to sleep, the hostess on the first floor organizes lectures and introductions to Mezen culture. So, you won't go wrong coming here!
