In Murmansk and in the Murmansk region there are more than 500 memorials. These consist of commemorative sites, monuments, obelisks and plaques, many of which, due to their historical and cultural significance, are officially preserved and looked after by the state. All of them reflect the history of the city which was founded in 1916.

During the 80 years of its existence Murmansk has been witness to many of the 20th century's most turbulent periods, in particular, World War I, the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Russian Civil War and World War II. More recently Murmansk has been touched by the wars in Afganistan and in Chechnya. Therefore, understandably, the great majority of the monuments in Murmansk are dedicated to those who fought and died in battle. There is a monument to Anatoly Bredov, Hero of the Soviet Union, standing opposite the house of the Soviets. This is a sculpture of a soldier holding a hand-grenade. It shows Bredov in his last battle when he was surrounded by the enemy. They wanted to take him prisoner, but he blew up himself and his assailants.