The exhibition presents works of Ustyug icon painting, facial embroidery, and rare books. Monument of ancient Russian architecture, Church of the Ascension. The temple has preserved 7 iconostases from the 18th century.
Veliky Ustyug Local Lore Museum
After visiting the architectural monuments of Veliky Ustyug, you should definitely visit the local museum-reserve. The extensive exposition of the Veliky Ustyug Museum of Local Lore presents numerous displays and temporary thematic exhibitions. In addition to viewing the exhibits, you can take part in various master classes, which are conducted by museum specialists for both the youngest visitors and adults.
The museum dedicated to the history of Veliky Ustyug was opened in 1910, when a church ancient depository appeared at the St. Michael the Archangel Monastery. It was the first city museum that existed before the revolution. Then in 1918, when numerous atheistic societies were active in Veliky Ustyug, as well as throughout the country, it was decided to save the most valuable collection of objects, documents and books from the church ancient depository. This is how the Museum of Severodvinsk Culture appeared, which became the predecessor of the modern museum.
In 1988, the Veliky Ustyug Local History Museum received the status of a museum-reserve. Currently, its collection includes more than 90 thousand items, many of which are unique. The collections of icons, monumental paintings, books, local crafts, and numismatics are of great historical value and interest. The museum's exhibitions are regularly updated and new exhibitions are opened.
What sights of Veliky Ustyug did you like? Next to the photo there are icons, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.
Santa Claus Zoo
At the beginning of 2009, a decision was made to build a zoo in Veliky Ustyug. This was a joint project between the Moscow region and the Vologda region, so the Father Frost Zoo is a branch of the Moscow Zoo. The zoo was built according to European canons.
At the residence of Father Frost, everyone can find entertainment to suit their taste - dive into a Fairy Tale or take a walk through the picturesque forest. But another exciting activity here is a visit to the Winter Garden, located not far from the house of Grandfather Frost.
Even on frosty days, when it’s minus thirty outside, magnificent exotic plants bloom profusely in the Winter Garden. There are flowers, shrubs and tropical plants spread out in numerous flower beds and greenhouses.
Santa Claus's assistants and Winter Garden staff lovingly care for their fragile overseas pets. Entering the Winter Garden, you get the feeling that you have suddenly been transported to summer, where parrots chirp loudly and fountains gurgle.
Museum of the History of Veliky Ustyug
The Museum of the History of Veliky Ustyug was created in 1910, when a church ancient depository was opened in the Mikhailo-Arkhangelsky Monastery. Gradually, this first museum grew into a vast collection of objects telling the history of Veliky Ustyug - the largest trade and craft center of the Russian North.
The exhibition is located in the main building of the museum, located on the city embankment - in the past this house belonged to the merchant G.V. Usov. The exhibits on display cover the period from the 12th to the 20th centuries. Here you can see not only artifacts discovered by archaeologists, but also weapons from the 12th–16th centuries, as well as original photo reconstructions. All these materials are an excellent visual aid to the history, life and religious traditions of the Finno-Ugric and Slavic population of these places.
While viewing the exhibition, visitors will learn about the enormous importance of Ustyug and its inhabitants in the development of the northeastern lands, as well as in the creation of a unified Russian state.
Church of the Ascension
Among the numerous architectural monuments of Veliky Ustyug, the Church of the Ascension with its magnificent decorative decoration occupies a very special place. The Temple of the Ascension was built in 1648 on the initiative of one of the richest Ustyug merchants, Nikifor Revyakin.
Since then, the church has undergone some changes, but has retained its complex structure and expressiveness, being the oldest preserved in the city.
In the 17th century, the temple had eleven domes, but was subsequently rebuilt several times and now has five domes. The greatest value is the rich decor; here you can trace many architectural elements and techniques: “creeping” arches, and double drums with faceted domes, and asymmetry of volumes, and profiled pediments, and kokoshniks on the windows. The facades are decorated with brick and carved white stone, as well as colored tiles.
All this makes the Church of the Ascension a true architectural pearl in the necklace of churches in Veliky Ustyug.
Sretensko-Preobrazhenskaya Church
The Sretensko-Preobrazhenskaya Church is part of the complex of buildings of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery. This temple was first mentioned in historical sources dating back to 1630. In 1679, the wooden church was destroyed by fire, like the neighboring Church of the Transfiguration. The stone temple was erected only several decades later.
The Church of the Presentation deserves to be recognized as one of the best examples of local religious architecture of the second half of the 18th century. A distinctive feature of the building is that in its upper tiers there was a tier of bell ringing - such churches were called “under the bells”. The interior space of the Sretenskaya Church is decorated with a small two-tier iconostasis of the late 18th - early 19th centuries, richly decorated with numerous decorative elements.
Until 1764, the Sretenskaya Church was used as a warm church for the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Convent located here. After the monastery was abolished, the church was converted into a parish.
Church of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
The Church of the Myrrh-Bearing Women is one of the most attractive architectural monuments of Veliky Ustyug. Having visited it, travelers keep in their memory for a long time the established image of this church with small domes and graceful snow-white walls. It has a truly unique appearance, being a temple, at first glance, discreet, but quite refined.
The church was founded in the 16th century, when the original wooden church was built. As for its modern appearance, the church acquired it in the first quarter of the 18th century, when a stone church was erected. Funds for the construction of the temple were allocated by the Ustyug merchant Pyotr Rodionovich Khudyakov, who thus wrote himself into the history of the city.
The architecture of the church building is quite unique. The lower floor has no decor, which is due to ancient traditions, because the basement served exclusively economic needs. And the top floor is decorated in the Naryshkin Baroque style, which is rare for the architecture of Veliky Ustyug.
In addition, as a result of research, it was established that the Temple of the Myrrh-Bearing Women was one of the richest. In one of the historical documents, a list of liturgical utensils was discovered - many objects made of gold and silver, as well as holy relics - for example, a cross with particles of the relics of twelve saints. The latter circumstance played an important role, because the presence of the relics of saints was of particular importance in matters relating to the status of a particular church.
The most popular attractions in Veliky Ustyug with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Veliky Ustyug on our website.
More attractions of Veliky Ustyug
Veliky Ustyug.
Architectural and artistic monuments of Veliky Ustyug.
Veliky Ustyug is too far from both Moscow (about 900 km) and St. Petersburg (1100 km). The city’s distance from the “centers of civilization” is getting worse. The last 70 km of the road to Ustyug can serve as an excellent testing ground for testing the car's strength and the driver's mental balance. The newfangled desire to “see Ancient Rus'” can be realized much easier and cheaper. From Moscow to Suzdal it’s a little more than 200 km, and from St. Petersburg it’s even less.
There is still “Dedmorozism”, which exists in the form of New Year’s organized excursions, when Veliky Ustyug is chock-full of children who want to join the “fairy tale”.
However, not counting the New Year holidays, Veliky Ustyug really looks like a fairy-tale city. Only you need to go there not in winter, but, for example, in late spring, early May, when the snow has almost melted, the Sukhona and the South are deep and majestic, and the northern sun sets at 11, only to rise above the horizon again at about 3 in the morning.
Veliky Ustyug, first mentioned in the middle of the 12th century, the same age as Vologda and Moscow, like other ancient Russian cities, survived numerous fires, epidemics and enemy invasions. The only way its history compares favorably with, and is the virtual absence of the Mongol-Tatar yoke (oh, sorry Comrade Medinsky, “relationships of financial dependence between Russia and the Horde”). Veliky Ustyug gravitated towards, and she, in turn, was subordinate to Moscow, which was not very popular with the Novgorodians, who laid claim to the Dvina region. At the end of the 14th century, the local ushkuiniki once again ravaged the city, taking with them rich booty, including the icon of the Mother of God, especially revered by the Ustyuzhans, tying it with ropes, like a polyonyanka. For this, the wicked were struck by God's punishment - not far from them they all fell ill with a terrible disease. Novgorod Archbishop John saved his fellow countrymen by serving a prayer service and promising to return everything stolen to Ustyug.
The city also suffered during the 15th century strife between Vasily the Dark and the sons of Yuri Zvenigorodsky Vasily Kosy and Dmitry Shemyaka. In 1436, Vasily Kosoy, breaking the kiss of the cross, captured the city by deception and ordered his soldiers to kill the local residents. 14 years later, Vasily Kosoy’s brother Dmitry Shemyaka, having fled from Moscow, came to the Dvina region. After negotiations, the residents of Ustyug swore allegiance to him, and those who openly expressed their commitment to Vasily the Dark were drowned in the Sukhona with a “great stone around their neck.”
Veliky Ustyug turned out to be the most important center on the way to the Zyryan and Perm lands and further, “beyond the Stone,” to Siberia. The famous Russian sailor Semyon Dezhnev was from Ustyug.
The 17th and, partly, 18th centuries were the heyday of Veliky Ustyug. Rich merchants and industrialists built stone churches and residential mansions. These buildings still define the appearance of the city. In the 19th century, Ustyug found itself aloof from trade routes and turned into an ordinary county town of the Russian Empire. Its current “dead end” position, remoteness from capitals and even from its own regional center have led to a certain “isolation” and self-sufficiency. The people of Ustyug, as in the old days, cut down forests, create marvelously beautiful northern rabble, brew beer (by the way, excellent beer, including beer from Klin) and distill wonderful liqueurs: cloudberry, sea buckthorn, lingonberry, etc.
Decanters with Ustyug liqueurs.The Dedmorozov situation leaves its mark on the city. If previously there was only one hotel in Veliky Ustyug, “Sukhona”,
now there are at least a dozen of them - for every taste and budget. Moreover, if “Santa Claus’s patrimony” demands an absurd 100 euros and 6,400 rubles. per night, then in the city center you can stay in a cozy room for more than three times cheaper.
In the foreground is the green Sukhona box.In Veliky Ustyug, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being lost not only in space, but also in time. If you don’t pay attention to the details, you get a strong feeling of returning to the past. Why don’t you like a picture from the era of “developed socialism”?
And this church mug on the fence clearly comes from the 19th century. It was peeling, rusty, but survived!
The feeling of a “gap in time” is aggravated by the sparse crowds and silence, unusual for a resident of a big city. On the May weekend(!), no one collectively gasped when looking at the Ustyug antiquity. I can imagine what was going on in Suzdal at that time!
And there is something to see here. Across the road from the hotel you can see the ensemble of the former Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery. It consists of the Transfiguration Cathedral of the late 17th century and the slender Sretensko-Preobrazhenskaya Church of 1725-39.
The cathedral is massive, impressive, surrounded by a walkway and seems to rest on the mighty quadrangle of a hipped bell tower built from the southwest.
The Sretenskaya Church opposite is light and elegant. She easily soars into the sky, reminiscent of.
The monastery churches overlook the main transport artery of Veliky Ustyug - Krasnaya Street. Although I prefer its historical name Preobrazhenskaya. Along Krasnaya Street there are numerous merchant mansions, shops and modest wooden houses.
Kuznetsov's house of the early twentieth century. Such a person is not ashamed to stand in a provincial town. A wooden mansion from 1815 on a stone basement. Development of Preobrazhenskaya (Red) street.If you walk along Preobrazhenskaya to the east, you will inevitably come across Lake Smolnikovskoe, which arose, as they would say now, “as a result of a natural disaster.”
Smolnikovskoye Lake. On the opposite bank you can see the houses of Pesya Sloboda.There is a stand on the shore (thanks to the people of Ustyug) telling about that very natural disaster in the words of an ancient letter.
Near the dam itself stands the oldest and most beautiful township church of Veliky Ustyug, built at the expense of the richest local merchant Nikifor Fedorov, son of Revyakin. The church was erected in 1648-49 and consecrated in the name of the Ascension of the Lord.
The temple, decorated in the spirit of “wonderful Russian patterns,” reminded me of the Moscow Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Putinki. Revyakin, who was in Moscow on trade business, was probably familiar with the capital’s churches and may have invited a local stone mason to build the Ascension Church. An amazing combination of volumes, chapels, stairs, porches and bell tower creates a bright festive image of the temple.
The church houses a museum of icon painting. The iconostasis has been preserved inside.
Here you can also see numerous icons of locally revered saints: Procopius of Ustyug with his life.
Procopy of Ustyug and John the Righteous in prayer to the icon of the Annunciation. The same famous icon that is kept in the Tretyakov Gallery.
Unfortunately, in the church, the batteries in our cameras ran out simultaneously and we were unable to photograph much. A fragment of the Crucifixion with the Passion of the Lord in stamps turned out to be the last picture we shot.
Behind the Alexander Lake lies Nizhny Posad, in which there were several churches. The most interesting of them was consecrated in the name of the Myrrh-Bearing Women (1723). It also houses a museum dedicated to Christmas and New Year's tree decorations. It would have been interesting for us to see it, but on May 10 the museum was closed.
Once upon a time, the bank of the Sukhona near Nizhny Posad was a very busy place. In the 70s of the last century, the River Station was built here. But now navigation on the Sukhona has practically ceased, the building is abandoned and only the sculpture of Aquarius reminds of the past.
The simple poems on the pedestal remind that the city is named after the mouth of the Yug River (the mouth of the Yug - Ust-Yug), which, merging here with the Sukhona, forms the Northern Dvina. The official coat of arms of Veliky Ustyug, highly confirmed by Empress Catherine II, looks much more elegant.
The Aquarius statue offers a wonderful view of the city center. The piles of sand in the foreground are vital - the city is working to strengthen the embankment, which often suffers from spring ice drift.
In the distance you can see the picturesque ensemble of the Cathedral Courtyard. That's where we'll head.
We return along the dam to the Ascension Church and walk along the pedestrian Sovetsky Prospekt, former Uspenskaya Street. However, it became Uspenskaya only in 1804, and before that it was called even more interestingly – Zdyhalnya. Wow, the local administration would have an address - st. Respiratory 103? 🙂
Fortunately, nothing particularly Soviet was observed here, with the exception of a lonely five-story building and red flags (they can be attributed to Victory Day). It is entirely built up with old merchant mansions and warehouses.
At the edge of the meadow, which was once a trading area, Nikola Gostunsky, the patron saint of sailors, travelers and traders, stands alone. The low winter church of the 80s of the 17th century was built about 40 years later with a slender summer church, just as it was built.
Next to the church, an octagonal bell tower rises into the sky like a candle. It was erected simultaneously with the superstructure of the summer church in the 20s of the 18th century. An elegant spire with a cross and an angel rose above the bank of the Sukhona in 1776.
Past the merchant mansions that belonged to the Zhilins, Subbotins, Kostrovs
Kostrov's estate, the current city administration.We go in the direction of the Cathedral Courtyard. Next to him, “Grandfather Frost” awaits us. A nice two-story mansion about a hundred years ago is occupied by the office (!) of Santa Claus. Lord, what about our eternal patriotism? What is it like to call this institution of our Grandfather their unspiritual word?! 🙂 It’s clear that the Russian “kontor” is also not particularly Russian, but Dutch, but it’s still more familiar.
Nearby there is a popular print of Santa Claus's post office. It’s good that it wasn’t “mail” or “post office”, or even something like that could have been thought of.
Next to Santa Claus's post office you can see the beautiful mansion of the merchant Krasilshchikov (on the right), occupied by the local tax service.Well, this administrative-bureaucratic “fairy tale”! Let's take a better look at the wondrously beautiful cathedral bell tower, erected at the very end of the 17th century, later built on and rebuilt, with a special belfry for a thousand-pound bell, called Varlaam.
It is clear that the cathedral belfry served as a model for the bell tower of St. Nicholas of Gostunsky, and also for Simeon the Stylite, which we will get to later. We couldn’t resist and immediately climbed up. The climb was surprisingly easy.
Here they are, the bells, at arm's length!
Cathedral domes and crosses, shining with red gold, are only a little further.
Behind the church domes you can see the calm surface of the Sukhona, shimmering with silver.
To the north-west lies the Central Park of Culture and Culture named after. Buldakova. Don’t be alarmed - Buldakov is not a communist at all, but a local... merchant who donated his manor park to the city. I wish I could remove the clumsy abbreviation somewhere.
To the east, another majestic temple rises above the roofs of houses and tree branches. This is the Archangel Michael Cathedral of the monastery of the same name. We will definitely get to him, but only in the evening.
And here is the already familiar ensemble of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery.
It's time to finally come down from heaven to earth, where the magnificent ensemble of the Cathedral Courtyard of Veliky Ustyug stands.
The Assumption Cathedral, the same name for the main temple in Moscow, was first mentioned in 1290. It was founded by Rostov Archbishop Tikhon. The wooden temple often burned down and was rebuilt in the same place. The first stone cathedral was erected here under Ivan the Terrible in the middle of the 16th century. However, the fire did not spare him either. On the site of the walls of the old cathedral “shattered by the fire,” the townspeople begin to build a new, sixth Assumption Church. As always, there were not enough funds and only his own help made it possible to complete the temple in 1663. After another 70 years, the cathedral was rebuilt in accordance with the new tastes of the Baroque era.
Assumption Cathedral on the right, belfry on the left. In the foreground is a statue of Semyon Dezhnev.Several more churches overlook the Sukhona embankment, separating the cathedral from the river. The modest Church of the Epiphany, otherwise called Blaise of Sebastia, is best viewed from the altar. From the embankment it is closed by a rather dull extension occupied by an exhibition hall. And on the eastern side you have the altar apse, and kokoshniks, and platbands, and even a cornice with a curb. 🙂
The low, massive Cathedral of John the Righteous was erected over the tomb of the locally revered Saint John, whose icon we have already seen in the Church of the Ascension, in 1656-63. Ktitor, i.e. The donor for the temple was the same Nikifor Revyakin, a merchant of the hundred's living room. The temple does not look very beautiful due to later reconstructions, the massive side church of a hundred years ago, built on the side of the river, and due to the cultural layer, of course.
Nearby stands another cathedral, consecrated in the name of St. Procopius of Ustyug. It was erected several years after the Assumption and St. John's Cathedrals. The Ustyug guests, the Guselnikov brothers, not wanting to lag behind Revyakin, donated funds for the construction of the temple, completed in 1668. The Cathedral of Procopius of Ustyug is active. It has a magnificent iconostasis, but photography inside is prohibited.
Cathedral of Procopius of Ustyug with later additions: a refectory and a porch from the early 20th century. View from the embankment. Cathedral of Procopius of Ustyug with later additions: a chapel from 1867 on the left and a sacristy on the right. View from the Cathedral Courtyard.Along the Embankment there are several ancient estates from the late 18th century. The pink palace belonged to the merchant Usov, and the neighboring white one belonged to the Zakharovs.
At sunset we reached the estate of Mikhail Matveevich Buldakov. An impressive three-story house overlooks the river.
The gates, in the capital's fashion, are decorated with cast gilded lions. The lefties here are not scary at all, rather cute and smiling.
From the Embankment there is a marvelous view of the village of Dymkovo across the river with the churches of Demetrius of Thessalonica and St. Sergius of Radonezh.
Somewhere in the distance at the confluence of the Sukhona and the South stands the Trinity-Gledensky Monastery, marking the original location of Veliky Ustyug. According to oral tradition, the city was founded by Vsevolod the Big Nest on a hill at the confluence of the Sukhona and the South. The high hill on which the Gleden fortress stood turned out to be not a very good place. The waters of both rivers constantly washed away its slopes and gradually the inhabitants moved to the opposite bank of the Sukhona in the Black Priluk tract. Over time, the new settlement received its former name - Ustyug, and the Gleden fortress stood for a long time and was destroyed during the strife of the 15th century.
View from Gledensky Hill. To the left is the Sukhona, to the right is the South, straight ahead is the Northern Dvina.To get to the Trinity-Gledensky Monastery you need to leave the city in the direction of Nikolsk and after about 8 km turn left to Morozovitsa. A good asphalt road leads to the village, which ends on the high bank of the South next to a curious hut decorated with wood carvings.
The carved balcony in front of the attic window is especially nice.
and some animals (dogs? wolves? martens?) on the roof slopes.
Don't be put off by the inhospitable appearance of the gate. The wooden gate on the left is not locked. The monastery is far from being in the best condition. More than half of the walls and cells were lost. There is someone's farmstead right on the territory of the monastery. His owner warned me, drawing attention to a huge shaggy dog of a very unfriendly appearance, insidiously blending into the surrounding landscape. The photo of the cathedral had to be taken from a not very good angle.
The Trinity Cathedral was built at the expense of the richest local merchants, the Grudtsins. Although the first donation in the amount of 1,500 rubles was made according to the will of other prominent townspeople - the Barefoot - in 1658. Construction began in 1659 by order of Sila Grudtsyn and continued with funds from his brother Ivan. After the brothers died, work stopped. The elder of the monastery Filaret, father-in-law of the third brother Vasily Grudtsyn, bequeathed to him to complete the construction of the temple and left money for it. However, Vasily embezzled the money and did not build the cathedral. Only after a complaint from the abbot of the monastery to Patriarch Job, Vasily resumed construction. The cathedral was completed at the very end of the 17th century. The main treasure of the monastery is located in the cathedral. This is a stunning carved iconostasis created by Totem carvers Timofey and Nikolai Bogdanov. They worked on its creation for 8 years, from 1776 to 1784. The icons were painted by local masters who were part-time merchants - Alexey Kolmogorov, Yegor Shergin and priest Vasily Afanasyev.
The iconostasis looks very secular, “palace-like,” perhaps because its icons are non-canonical, they were made in the image of Western European engravings.
The abundance of very expressive wooden sculpture is also uncharacteristic for Russian churches. Especially good are the royal doors with statues of the four evangelists: John, Matthew, Mark and Luke.
The iconostasis is made with a “turnover”; in its wall parts there are more traditional icons of the Mother of God, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker...
and the Old Testament Trinity with Acts.
Compare it with the temple icon of the Trinity, located in the local rank of the iconostasis to the right of the Royal Doors.
The iconostasis is richly decorated with skillful gilded carvings. Rocaille curls became the favorite motifs of the iconostasis.
And the “prosperous vine”, symbolizing Jesus Christ.
Grapevines wrap around spiraling wooden columns, similar to those seen in Prague and Vienna Catholic churches. True, the columns there are still made of marble.
It is amazing that this beautiful iconostasis has survived to this day. In the 20th century, the atheists closed the monastery, set up a collection point for the dispossessed, a children's colony here, and only about 30 years ago the surviving buildings were transferred to the museum. According to the caretaker, the iconostasis had to be washed from several tons of... pigeon droppings. Birds flew into the cathedral through broken windows and felt very comfortable inside.
We leave the cathedral with regret, not forgetting to buy a book with magnificent reproductions of icons. Next to the cathedral there is a dilapidated refectory with the Tikhvin Church.
This would be a good place to direct the zeal of our clergy, but no. World-famous monuments that charge money to enter are much more interesting to them.
A marvelous panorama of Veliky Ustyug opens from the monastery. In the foreground is the flood of the Sukhona and the South.
When in Veliky Ustyug, you should definitely stop by the village of Dymkovo, located on the southern bank of the Sukhona. Dymkovo is notable not only and not so much for its churches, although they are also good.
Churches in the village of Dymkovo. On the left is the Church of Demetrius of Thessalonica (1700-1709), on the right is the Church of Sergius of Radonezh (1739-1747).People go to Dymkovo mainly for the magnificent views of Veliky Ustyug. First of all, you “pounce” on the Cathedral Courtyard.
Then the familiar silhouette of Nikola Gostunsky catches the eye. It’s just a shame that the district committee’s five-story building, almost the only one in the city center, impudently climbs into the frame.
Here is the Buldakov estate with neighboring churches: Leontyevskaya on the left and Ilyinskaya on the right.
This is the Settlement next to Lake Alexander. The bell tower behind the trees belongs to the Church of Varlaam Khutynsky, the dilapidated church in the center is called Sretensko-Myrrh-Bearers, and the golden domes crown the familiar Church of the Myrrh-Bearers, where the museum of Christmas tree decorations is located.
What is it? Why dont know?
This is the Church of Simeon the Stylite - a wonderful example of Baroque, and not just one, but with a separate bell tower. Later we made a special trip to Nizhny Posad to take a closer look at it. Look how beautiful your palace is!
The bell tower is also good, although a little shabby.
A farewell look from Dymkovo to Veliky Ustyug. Well, what a good city it is! And Sukhona is so beautiful! Maybe it’s for the best that Veliky Ustyug lies a hundred hundred miles from Moscow, and from St. Petersburg?
It seems like we saw everything, except for Santa Claus, of course, who was not included in our plans. How is everything, and St. Michael the Archangel Monastery?
It is located a five-minute walk from the Dvina Hotel on the banks of the Nameless Stream. It was founded by the monk Cyprian as early as 1212 “at the Ezeri for a fortified scree,” i.e. outside the city fortifications. In the fire of 1651, the monastery burned to the ground and then the same Nikifor Revyakin allocated funds for the construction of the stone Archangel Cathedral. It was erected by Yaroslavl craftsmen.
The refectory chamber with the Church of the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary was also built with Revyakin’s funds. It looks quite sad, because it still houses the classes of the Ustyug Automobile and Road Technical School.
Fortunately, the magnificent porch with creeping arches and the monumental covered three-arched passage have been preserved. He reminds us that in the north snow and frost are nothing to joke about.
The elegant gate church was consecrated in the name of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. It stands on the site of the former Holy Gates of the monastery.
Hidden behind the gate temple is a small church of the Mid-Pentecost of 1710. It stands over the grave of the founder of the monastery, Cyprian.
Now that's all for real! It’s a pity that many churches were closed on holidays. We were not able to see either the interiors of the Assumption Cathedral or the iconostasis of St. Michael the Archangel. It is unlikely that it will be possible to return to Veliky Ustyug in the near future. But the northern city on the Sukhona is so beautiful that what we saw was more than enough for us. After all, you can come here for this sunset alone!
Articles of the Totem-Ustyug cycle.
Veliky Ustyug is a small ancient city that has preserved cultural monuments in the open air. Merchant houses, a picturesque embankment, ancient churches and the Estate of Father Frost attract tourists here both in winter and summer.
Description and history of Veliky Ustyug
Veliky Ustyug is an ancient city in northern Russia at the confluence of the Sukhona and Yuga rivers. It is located 450 km from Vologda, not far from the Kirov and Arkhangelsk regions. The number of residents of the city exceeds 31 thousand people, and the area is 17 km 2.
Veliky Ustyug was founded in 1147. The trade route passing by became an important reason for the creation of a settlement on the local land, and the construction of the Archangel Michael Monastery in 1212 contributed to the development of the present city. Veliky Ustyug acquired its name thanks to the Yug River: “Ustyug” is the mouth of the Yug. Later, under Ivan IV, the first name was joined by a second one - “Great”, given to the city in honor of its great role in history (reliable defense against the attacks of Nizhny Novgorod) and high economic status.
Since the 16th century, the settlement has been the largest trade and craft center in northern Rus'. By the 17th century, Veliky Ustyug acquired the status of the richest city among the Russian lands due to the large turnover of food products and the development of crafts. It lost its fame and status in the 18th century due to the relocation of the trade route, and by the 19th century it became a district town of the Vologda province. Only by 1937 Veliky Ustyug became the regional center of the Vologda region.
Nowadays the city is famous as the Estate of Father Frost.
Veliky Ustyug - the birthplace of Father Frost How to get there
Getting to Veliky Ustyug is not very easy. Trains and buses from large settlements rarely go here and planes practically do not fly here. There are several options for traveling to Veliky Ustyug.
By plane
Although the town has an airport, which is located three kilometers from the settlement itself, planes fly here only from Cherepovets. Therefore, if you want to get to the settlement by air, you will need to fly first to Cherepovets:
- from Moscow (Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo), ticket price from 9,300 rubles, travel time about an hour;
- from St. Petersburg (Pulkovo), ticket price from 7,200 rubles, travel time is also about 60 minutes.
You will then need to transfer to a flight to your destination. The cost of a plane ticket from Cherepovets to Veliky Ustyug is from 7,000 rubles, the flight takes 55 minutes. There are three flights in total: morning, afternoon and evening.
There is an airport in Veliky Ustyug, but planes fly into it only from Cherepovets To get from the airport to the city, you need to take bus No. 3 or 146.
By rail
There is a railway station in Veliky Ustyug, but it operates only during the New Year holidays. At this time, specialized “Winter Express” trains depart here from Yaroslavsky Station in Moscow and Ladozhsky Station in St. Petersburg. The rest of the time it will not be possible to get directly to Veliky Ustyug. The only option is to get to the nearest railway stations:
- “Yadricha”, located 54 km from the city;
- "Kotlas", located 70 km.
Ticket prices from Moscow start from 2600 rubles, from St. Petersburg - from 2500 rubles. From the railway stations you will have to take a bus or taxi.
The winter express to Santa Claus sets off from Moscow on January 2 By bus
The most convenient way to get to Veliky Ustyug from Vologda is by bus: there are quite a few flights, and the travel time is short - about 6 hours. Ticket prices start from 800 rubles. You can get to the city from both Moscow and St. Petersburg using the same type of transport:
- a Moscow flight will cost travelers approximately 2,000 rubles, travel time is about 13 hours;
- A ticket for a St. Petersburg bus costs about 2,200 rubles, and the travel time is approximately 15 hours.
In your own car
You can travel by car from Moscow and St. Petersburg:
- the distance from Moscow to Veliky Ustyug is about 1000 kilometers, you need to drive along the M8 highway through Yaroslavl and Vologda, then turn near the village of Chekshino and follow the signs;
- Between St. Petersburg and Veliky Ustyug there are about 1100 kilometers, you need to travel along the A114 highway to Vologda, and then along the M8 to your destination.
The journey from both the capital and St. Petersburg will take about 13 hours, but it is worth considering that Veliky Ustyug is located in the northern region, so the weather may worsen sharply along the way and this will affect the travel time. In addition, a negative point is the fact that the roads approaching the city are not the best.
From both Russian capitals you can get to Veliky Ustyug along the M8 highway Sights of Veliky Ustyug
The city has preserved many ancient architectural monuments that attract all lovers of antiquity. Elegant houses of merchants are intertwined here with churches of the 17th–18th centuries. The geographical location along the river adds a certain charm and attractiveness to the city. And, of course, the most famous attraction of Veliky Ustyug - the Estate of Father Frost - makes it one of the most visited cities in Russia during the New Year holidays.
Visiting Snow Grandfather
In fact, not one, but three attractions are connected with Santa Claus in Veliky Ustyug:
- the patrimony itself,
- Santa Claus mail,
- city residence of Father Frost.
Father Frost's estate
Today Veliky Ustyug is best known as the city where Father Frost lives. It received this status because of the nearby entertainment mini-town, which is considered the birthplace of the fairy-tale winter hero.
The complex includes a vast pine park, inside which there is a tower, a mini-zoo, a winter garden, attractions, and various ice figures (in winter). From the entrance stretches the Fairy Tale Trail, which will take visitors through the magic well, the Mikhail Potapovich Bridge, the Lesovichka House and the Twelve Months Glade. Professional actors perform performances right on the street, entertaining adults and children.
In winter, you can go sledding, skiing and cheesecake. Along the entire perimeter of the park there are bright cafes with original Russian cuisine.
The House of Father Frost in Veliky Ustyug was built taking into account the best traditions of Russian wooden architecture and is open to visitors all year round Practical information:
- address - Veliky Ustyug district, Mardengskoe village;
- opening hours - daily, excursions are held from 9:00 to 16:30;
- the cost of entry to the territory of the estate is 370 rubles per person, a comprehensive package with excursions costs 1,780 rubles;
- you can get there:
- by bus - there are buses from the station four times a day.
- by car - you need to go to Gledenskaya Street, when leaving the city, go straight 3 km to a sign with a sign for turning left - to Votchina.
Readers should be aware that admission prices and opening hours for any attraction are subject to change.
Photo gallery: Father Frost's patrimony
For the convenience of tourists, at the entrance to the Votchina there is a map indicating all the objects located on the territory. The Fairy Tale Trail is a special fairy-tale path on which the child goes with a fairy-tale character, and along the entire path, exciting adventures and fun challenges await the child. On the territory of the hotel complex " Votchina" there are 10 cottages of different comforts, in which a very cozy interior is organized, recreating the atmosphere of houses from Russian fairy tales, and from the window you can see the house of Father Frost. Depending on weather conditions in the Votchina, reindeer and husky dog riding is organized. Zoo on the estate of Father Frost differs from ordinary Russian zoos in that instead of small cages there are large enclosures and wooden fences, and there is a real forest all around. Of all the rooms in Santa Claus’s house, not one is similar in its decoration to the other, but each of them is created for the convenience of the owner and his assistants and numerous guests There is a unique place on the patrimony in which Santa Claus gains magical powers: it is called the Glacier of Santa Claus, at any time of the year it is cold, with a constant temperature of -11 ° C. On the patrimony, everyone has the opportunity to send holiday cards and letters to friends and relatives with a special stamp and seal
Santa Claus Mail
The post office was located in the central part of the city in a stylized tower. Anyone can come here and buy a souvenir or keepsake, as well as send a letter to Santa Claus or their relatives. The post office bears a huge responsibility for the children who send their letters here. Increasingly, requests of an intangible nature are coming. Together with social services, Santa Claus's post office has helped 500 kids to date. Even older people write here, without asking for anything, just talking about themselves.
Both children and adults can write a letter to Santa Claus, and the lucky ones will even receive a response to their message Practical information:
- address - Oktyabrsky lane, building 1a;
- Opening hours: from 9:00 to 18:00.
Krasilnikov's mansion, or the city residence of Father Frost
The building was built in 1876 for the merchant Pyotr Vasilyevich Krasilnikov. The architect of the house was Nikolai Cherepanov from Ustyug, who chose an eclectic style for the construction. The first owner lived here for only twenty years, after which he died, and his wife rented the house to the Riga merchant Matilda Kersten, who organized an apartment for herself on the top floor, and opened a pharmacy and a haberdashery store on the bottom floor.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the building was acquired by the zemstvo government, which sat in it until the creation of the USSR. Then, at different times, the mansion housed the District Executive Committee, the Executive Committee, the Corporate and Library Colleges. In the second half of the twentieth century, the House of Pioneers functioned here.
In the early 2000s, the building underwent reconstruction, after which it was given over to the city residence of Father Frost, which includes a greeting card museum, Grandfather's throne room and a souvenir shop. There are excursions here, during which workers tell interesting stories about the New Year holidays and ask riddles to the children.
In 1995, according to the decree of the President of the Russian Federation, the Krasilnikov mansion was included in the list of historical and cultural heritage sites of federal and all-Russian significance Practical information:
- address - Sovetsky Prospekt, building 85;
- operating mode:
- from Monday to Friday - from 09:00 to 20:00;
- Saturday and Sunday are days off;
- Entry cost is 100 rubles.
Museum of New Year's Toys
The museum, located in an ancient building of the 18th century - the inactive Church of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, although does not directly relate to the Estate of Father Frost, can still be visited as part of a New Year's trip. It has existed since 1998, but has already included a large collection of New Year's decorations. Here you can see toys for the New Year's beauty made of glass, porcelain, cotton wool, wood, and clay. There are exhibits dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. The excursion will tell you about the traditions of celebrating the New Year not only in Russia, but also in other countries.
Visitors to the New Year's Toy Museum in Veliky Ustyug can see several Christmas trees that are decorated taking into account the principles of a certain decade or century Practical information:
- address - Communa Square, building 7;
- work schedule: Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00, lunch break from 12:00 to 13:00;
- ticket prices:
- adult - 100 rubles,
- for children - 50 rubles.
- By public transport you can get here from the station, get off at the “River School” stop.
Cathedral courtyard
Like any other ancient Russian city, Veliky Ustyug is rich in churches, cathedrals and monasteries. The religious center and its oldest part is the square with churches built in the 17th–19th centuries - the Cathedral Courtyard. The complex was built in such a way that each of the temples located on the territory is visible from any point. The courtyard includes five religious buildings located on Sovetsky Prospekt and Naberezhnaya Street. The location on the high bank of the Sukhona River gives the ancient temples a special beauty and organic character.
The cathedral courtyard in Veliky Ustyug is located on the river bank and is a unique religious monument Practical information:
- address - Sovetsky Prospekt, building 62;
- how to get there: you can walk to the Cathedral Courtyard from the station, the journey will take ten minutes. To do this, you need to walk along Vinogradov Street and turn left at the intersection with the intersection of Sovetsky Avenue, after house No. 12;
- Entrance to the complex is free.
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Assumption Cathedral is the main temple of the city. It began to be built at the beginning of the 17th century, but soon burned down, and by the end of the century it was again restored by the residents of the city. Its architecture is distinguished by its original Russian style. The interior decoration contains frescoes that have been preserved almost unchanged since the beginning of the church. Adjacent to the cathedral is the Cathedral Bell Tower, which you can climb up a narrow staircase and see the entire historical center of the city, as well as the river.
The interior of the Assumption Cathedral, made in the second half of the 18th century, is richly decorated with stucco decorations in the form of angel heads, small sculptures, wreaths, overlays, cornices Practical information:
- address - Sovetsky Prospekt, building 81;
- Free admission.
Cathedral of Procopius the Righteous
The temple was built in 1495 on the burial site of the city's holy righteous man, Procopius of Ustyug. Ustyug resident Pyotr Kotelnikov supervised the construction. The five-tiered iconostasis with gilding and carvings is the main value of the cathedral. A collection of 17th-century icons is kept here, including “Procopius of Ustyug”, “Our Lady and Procopius of Ustyug in Prayer”. Since the end of the twentieth century, the temple has been part of the city's architectural reserve.
The iconostasis of the Cathedral of Procopius the Righteous in Veliky Ustyug was created in the first half of the 18th century Practical information:
- address - Naberezhnaya street, building 57;
- opening hours - from 8:00 to 18:00;
- Free admission.
Cathedral of John of Ustyug
The construction of the temple dates back to the 17th century. It was built in honor of the holy fool, revered saint - John of Ustyug. Construction was carried out by merchant Fyodor Tutygin on the site of an old wooden church. In the 19th century, the building underwent significant changes, so it carries several styles at the same time: baroque, classicism and colorful Russian style.
On the facade of the Cathedral of John of Ustyug there was once a fresco “The Last Supper”, now nothing remains of it Practical information:
- address - Naberezhnaya street, building 56;
- opening hours - from 8:00 to 18:00;
- Free admission.
Church of the Epiphany
The temple was built in 1689. The rebuilt building, which was rebuilt in 1771 after the old church burned down in a fire, has survived to this day. Now it is not operational; the storage facility of the Veliky Ustyug Museum-Reserve is located here.
The Church of the Epiphany is currently an inactive temple, so you won’t be able to get inside Practical information:
- address - Naberezhnaya street, building 55;
- Opening hours: from 10:00 to 18:00.
Church of Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow
The church, named after Metropolitan Alexy, has a rich history. Written sources first mention it at the end of the 15th century as a wooden structure. Later, in 1672, the building was rebuilt into a one-story stone building and named in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
At the end of the 17th century, the building was transformed again - an additional floor was erected, which in the future became a house church for the bishops, and a passage was built between the temple and the adjacent cells of the bishops. Then the church underwent reconstruction several more times, especially due to fires. The building erected in the 60s of the 19th century has survived to this day. Now the church is empty and is gradually being destroyed.
In 1948, the Alexy Church housed a hospital for veterans of the Great Patriotic War, and then the building was empty Practical information:
- address - Naberezhnaya street, building 58;
- opening hours - from 10:00 to 18:00;
- Free admission.
Dymkovskaya Sloboda
Dymkovskaya Sloboda is a district of the city that has preserved architectural buildings of the 18th century. It is located on the opposite bank of the Sukhona River from the historical part of Veliky Ustyug. Here, back in the 14th century, the first wooden churches were built, dedicated to the victory in the Battle of Kulikovo. Later they were replaced with stone ones. The main attractions of the settlement are:
- Church of Demetrius of Thessalonica;
- Church of Sergius of Radonezh;
- corner tower with gate;
- a small fragment of the fence, preserved from 1859.
Dymkovo is a small district of the city, interesting primarily for its well-preserved architectural ensemble of the 18th century Practical information:
- address - Dymkovo district;
- how to get there:
- from the city center by car or taxi over the bridge;
- across the river by ferry;
- on foot across the bridge or in winter on ice (a distance of 7 km can be covered in 40 minutes).
Temple of Dmitry Solunsky
The church was erected at the end of the 14th century during the reign of Dmitry Donskoy. Dmitry of Thessalonica was considered the heavenly patron of the prince, which is why the cathedral was named after this saint. The church suffered from fires several times, so by 1700 it was decided to build it from stone.
The temple combines local traditions and Western Baroque features in its appearance. In the 1930s, the Soviet government gave the church to the museum, so it is well preserved. The temple is currently closed.
The stone temple of Dmitry Solunsky, which was built in Veliky Ustyug in 1700–1708, has survived to this day. Temple of St. Sergius of Radonezh
The construction of the temple took place in the middle of the 18th century; it was erected next to the cold church of Dmitry of Thessalonica. In the summer, services were held there, and in the winter in this new church. In 1859, thanks to donations from merchants, a stone fence with turrets was erected around the two churches. In the 20th century, the church was looted and much was destroyed. Only in the 1980s was restoration work carried out, during which the hipped roof was covered and the remaining tiles were cleared.
The main feature of the church is its preserved interior. There is a carved 5-tier iconostasis in the Baroque style, flanked by columns and pilasters. In the icon case above the altar there is a fresco with a multi-figure composition with the Savior in the middle.
In the interior of the Sergius Church, tiled stoves from the 18th century have been preserved, but you will not be able to get inside the premises, since the church is inactive Both churches are located at the address: Dymkovo village, 1st passage.
Church of the Ascension
The temple is distinguished by its rich interior decoration and magnificent architecture. It was erected in the middle of the 17th century by the wealthy merchant Nikifor Revyakin. Initially, the building had 11 domes, but later, due to alterations and restoration, the temple acquired an asymmetrical shape, and only 5 faceted domes remained.
Large openings for windows with platbands, an extension with a refectory and chapels, a bell tower with a figurine of an angel on the spire - all this creates a complex architectural silhouette of the church in the classical style. The interior of the church is a collection of icon paintings from the 18th century. The iconostasis in the Baroque style has been preserved here; plant flat-relief carvings adorn the altar. The temple has a collection of icons from Ustyug iconography of the 17th century. The most revered icons are “Our Lady Hodegetria of Smolensk” and “The Resurrection of Christ,” created by the legendary icon painter Stefan Sokolov.
Currently, the Church of the Ascension houses the Museum of Ancient Russian Art. There are exhibitions: “The great ascetics of the Russian land, the righteous saints Procopius and John, the Ustyug miracle workers,” “Iconostases of Veliky Ustyug, ornamental carvings, wooden sculpture.” Cost of the excursion: adults - 100 rubles, children - 50 rubles. Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00.
https://ustyug-museum.ru/objekts/voznesenie.html
Among the numerous churches of Veliky Ustyug, the Church of the Ascension stands apart, distinguished by its exceptional richness of decorative decoration, which makes it similar to the famous churches of “royal” Moscow Address - Sovetsky Prospekt, building 84.
Michael the Archangel Monastery
Legends say that the monastery of St. Michael the Archangel was built in 1212 by the monk Cyprian. Residents of a nearby settlement asked the priest about this. He chose a place and built two buildings on the embankment: a church in honor of the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos and a cathedral in the name of Archangel Michael. However, a fire that occurred in the middle of the 17th century destroyed the original wooden monastery.
A few years later, a new stone monastery began to be revived on this site. First, the Archangel Michael Cathedral, the Church of the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Vladimir Church were built. The monastery was supplemented with abbots' and brethren's cells only in 1737.
The most ancient monastery of the Russian north - St. Michael the Archangel Monastery - is no longer active and its buildings are gradually being destroyed In 1919, the monastery was closed and converted into a concentration camp, where all those disliked by the Soviet regime were exiled. In 1924, the situation of the monastery improved - it passed into the hands of the museum. During the Second World War, a military infantry school was organized in the monastery buildings, and later a motor transport technical school. Currently, the monastery is closed and its buildings are empty.
Address - Pavel Pokrovsky Street, building 13.
St. Nicholas Church
The temple was built in 1682 with donations from merchants. The church is dedicated to the revered icon of St. Nicholas of Gostun (the Wonderworker). Today, the building is the only surviving example of an Ustyug stone church from the early 18th century, in which cold and warm churches are combined under one roof.
In the 30s of the twentieth century, the church was closed, and its building was used as a transit camp, and later as workshops. Since 1986, the building has housed an ethnography museum, where you can look at handmade household items: embroidery, ceramic dishes, wood carvings, and forged items. And also in one of the halls of the former church, the interior of a Russian hut with peasant household items was recreated. For those interested, master classes on flax spinning are held.
The multi-tiered, single-domed St. Nicholas Church, like the slender bell tower topped with a high spire, is a remarkable example of the unique Ustyug architecture of the Middle Ages Practical information:
- address - Naberezhnaya street, house 66;
- Opening hours: 10.00–18.00.
Buldakov's estate
The estate, built in the Empire style, dates back to the beginning of the 19th century. It was erected for the local merchant Mikhail Buldakov, who became famous as an “explorer”. The estate complex includes the main house and two outbuildings. Inside the building, it was possible to partially preserve the interiors: doorways, stairs, tiled stoves.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the estate was purchased by the city government, and later it was occupied by a men's gymnasium. In the 1920s, the building was given over to the Institute of Public Education; during wartime, an infantry school operated in the estate, and at the end of the Second World War, the building was divided between the Pedagogical College and the Veliky Ustyug Teachers' Institute.
The main house of the Buldakov estate in Veliky Ustyug has undergone significant changes since its construction: from a two-story building it turned into a three-story one, redevelopment was carried out and the interiors were changed Address - Naberezhnaya street, houses 45, 46 and 47.
Factory "Velikoustyug Patterns"
The workshop opened in 1972, when the city authorities began to think about preserving the traditional crafts of the Vologda lands. The company produces birch bark products decorated with paintings and carvings: boxes, wicker baskets, boxes and just small souvenirs in the form of magnets. The technology for making products from birch bark is kept secret by the craftsmen.
The Veliky Ustyug Patterns factory currently produces several hundred different items, ranging from boxes and baskets to glass holders, souvenir cutting boards and decorative plates, boxes, writing sets Practical information:
- address - Vodnikov street, building 45;
- You can only get to the enterprise by pre-booking a tour.
Monuments and sculptures of Veliky Ustyug
There are not many interesting monuments in Veliky Ustyug, but there is still something for tourists to look at:
- monument to Dezhnev. Semyon Dezhnev is perhaps the most famous native of Veliky Ustyug. This is a traveler and navigator who became the discoverer of the Bering Strait, and also made a serious contribution to Russian geographical science. The monument was erected in 1971 on Sovetsky Avenue;
On the pylon behind the monument to Dezhnev in Veliky Ustyug there are bas-reliefs telling about episodes from the life and campaigns of the traveler - monument to Khabarov. Erofey Khabarov is another native of the Ustyug lands, famous for his fur trade and the discovery of new lands. It was thanks to his notes that the map of Transbaikalia and the Far East was drawn. And the famous city of Khabarovsk is named after him. The opening of the monument took place in 2015 on Komsomolskaya Square;
From his youth, Khabarov began to engage in fur farming: moving to the East, Erofey Pavlovich discovered new lands rich in natural resources, carefully recorded his impressions and drew maps - The sculpture “Aquarius”, dedicated to the birth of the Northern Dvina, which originates at the confluence of the Yuga and Sukhona rivers, was installed in Veliky Ustyug in 1983 on Naberezhnaya Street.
On the pedestal of the sculpture “Aquarius” are engraved the words of a quatrain, poetically describing the birth of the Northern Dvina
Children in a fairy tale
In Veliky Ustyug, a young tourist will not be bored. The main attractions for the baby will be everything related to Santa Claus: the Estate, the post office, and the museum of New Year's toys. Having visited these places, the child will feel like he has been in a fairy tale and will remember the exciting journey for a long time.
The estate of Father Frost is the most attractive place for children in Veliky Ustyug In addition, the city’s museums offer tourists with children special excursions and programs for children:
Veliky Ustyug in different seasons
You can come to Veliky Ustyug at any time of the year. It would seem that the best time to visit the Estate of Father Frost is the winter holidays, however, if you are traveling to the city to explore local attractions, it is better to visit it in the summer. There are many advantages to this:
- weather. In winter, Veliky Ustyug is quite cold, so you will have to run around to see the sights, constantly warming up in nearby establishments. In the summer, the city experiences white nights, and the temperature is favorable for long walks;
- lack of tourists. Veliky Ustyug is perhaps the only Russian tourist city in which there are more people in winter than in summer. During the cold season, there are long queues at local museums, and it is almost impossible to get a room in hotels. In summer the situation is the opposite;
- holidays. You can attend a festive event in Veliky Ustyug not only in winter, but also in summer and autumn. On July 21, City Day is celebrated here, as well as the Prokopyevskaya Fair, during which enchanting celebrations are held. On November 18, Father Frost's birthday is celebrated in Votchina.
If you want a truly magical and fabulous trip, then a holiday in Veliky Ustyug in winter is the right choice If the purpose of the trip is only to visit the Estate of Father Frost, then, of course, you need to plan your trip for the winter holidays. Winter in the city is cold but picturesque. Many tourists note that they have never seen a more beautiful winter than in Veliky Ustyug anywhere.
You need to come to Veliky Ustyug for at least two days:
- on the first day you can explore the local attractions, of which there are quite a lot in the city;
- The second day should be set aside to visit the Estate of Father Frost, even if the trip was during the summer.
If you come to the city during a holiday, you can stay for three days, one of which can be devoted to festive events.
Where to stay
Naturally, you need to think about your place of residence in advance and book a hotel two or even three months before the trip. For the New Year holidays, it is better to book a hotel six months in advance, since there are not too many places to stay for tourists in Veliky Ustyug. Here are the most convenient ones:
What to bring as a souvenir
Most tourists go to Veliky Ustyug as the homeland of Father Frost, and not many know that the city is the craft center of Russia. Local craftsmen produce a variety of products that you can bring to your loved ones as a souvenir:
The ancient city, founded on the banks of the Sukhona River back in 1207, is exactly the place where travelers who want not only to get a lot of vivid impressions, but also to understand the soul of the Russian North and feel its unique charm should go. The sights of Veliky Ustyug, photos and descriptions of which you will find in the article, are unique in many ways. The city has existed for more than 800 years, maintaining its amazing originality. Its coat of arms depicts the ancient god Neptune, and in a wonderful palace on one of the streets, Father Frost and the Snow Maiden are “registered”.
In addition to the stunning churches and cathedrals, which we will talk about separately, the city has several other symbols. You should see these iconic sights of Veliky Ustyug first.
- Phone: +7 817 385‑21-10.
- Address: Mardengskoe settlement. It is better to get here by shuttle buses departing from the bus station 4 times a day or by taxi, paying about 200 rubles.
Having made a half-hour journey to the suburbs of Veliky Ustyug, you will find yourself in a world of wonders - the fabulous estate of Father Frost. First, guests will be invited to a magnificent tower, where the beloved folklore character lives with his eternally young granddaughter. Here, young and adult visitors will be shown the Throne Room, Gift Room, and Fairy Tale Storeroom. The excursion will continue with a visit to the Glacier, where Grandfather Frost lives in the hot summer. A walk through the Winter Garden, an island of the tropics inhabited by colorful exotic plants, will give a child a lot of impressions. And, of course, children will be able to ride on colorfully designed slides to their hearts’ content, and take part in competitions and quizzes organized by animators.
- Address: Sovetsky Prospekt. Transport stop “Lunacharskogo Street”.
Semyon Dezhnev is perhaps the most famous native of Veliky Ustyug. Therefore, the monument to the great traveler and navigator, to whom many modern scientists give laurels as the discoverer of the Bering Strait, is especially revered by the townspeople. The stone statue of a Cossack chieftain is mounted on a cylindrical pedestal. On the pylon behind him there are bas-reliefs telling about episodes from the life and campaigns of Dezhnev, who made an invaluable contribution to Russian geographical science.
- Opening hours: the exhibition hall is open on weekdays, from 10:00 to 15:00.
- Phone: +7 817 382-05-10.
- Website: http://www.sevchern.ru
- Address: st. Uglovskogo, 1. Transport stop "Northern Chern Factory".
The fame of the city of craftsmen has brought Veliky Ustyug real masterpieces made of precious metals, which have been created by local craftsmen for more than 300 years. Their creations amaze with their originality and inimitable finesse of work. Fine, blackened or gilded cutlery with the mark of the factory is extremely highly valued by art critics and has more than once received top awards at prestigious international exhibitions. The exposition of the exhibition hall presents the best creations of the successors of the glorious traditions of the ancient Russian craft, revived in the 30s of the last century by the famous master M. Chirkov.
Amazing temples and churches
Connoisseurs of elegant architecture will receive great pleasure from visiting the stunning churches of Veliky Ustyug. Most of the churches built several centuries ago are in good condition, although they are not currently operational.
- Address: Sovetsky Prospekt, 62. Transport stop “Lunacharskogo Street”.
The Assumption Cathedral, consecrated in 1658, is one of the main attractions of Veliky Ustyug. The masterpiece of Russian architects has the traditional design for churches of the 17th century. cubic shape. The octagon of the main dome, like the graceful corner turrets, is topped with a gilded onion with crosses. The architecture of the two-part bell tower, which has a classic dome and a pointed hipped dome with a spire, is very interesting. The ashes of the high priests of the diocese rested in the crypt of the cathedral, and its walls were decorated with excellent frescoes, some of which have survived to this day. Currently, the temple, where restoration work is ongoing, can only be viewed from the outside.
- Opening hours: daily, from 8:00 to 19:00.
- Website: http://difo1975.cerkov.ru
- Address: st. Embankment, 57. Transport stop “Lunacharskogo Street”.
An excellent white-stone church with blackened domes, consecrated in 1668, was erected on the resting place of Procopius the Righteous, who lived in Veliky Ustyug and canonized by the Orthodox Church in the mid-16th century. Several miracles are attributed to the saint, whose sarcophagus with relics is kept in the temple. Today the cathedral is both a museum and a functioning church. Be sure to visit here and see the delightful carved iconostasis, again sparkling with gilding after restoration carried out in the last decade of the last century.
- Address: Sovetsky Prospekt, 86. Transport stop “Lunacharskogo Street”.
The amazingly beautiful Church of the Ascension of the Lord, consecrated in 1648, is considered a true pearl of the city’s architecture. Once upon a time, the magnificent building, the exterior of which intricately intertwined the traditions of Byzantine and Old Russian architects, was decorated with 11 domes. The temple amazed contemporaries with the originality of its forms, the abundance of decorative elements, kokoshniks, carved rosettes, and the grace of figured drums. After a series of reconstructions, the church became five-domed, but by no means lost its originality and charm. Currently, restoration work is ongoing in the temple.
- Address: st. Embankment, 66. Transport stop “Lunacharskogo Street”.
An amazing temple in honor of St. Nicholas of Gostunsky, the patron saint of sailors, appeared in the city at the beginning of the 18th century, when the Sukhona River was still navigable, and Veliky Ustyug was considered a major port, as evidenced by Neptune, depicted on its coat of arms. The multi-tiered single-domed church, like the slender bell tower topped with a high spire, is a remarkable example of the unique Ustyug architecture of the Middle Ages. At the end of the last century, the temple was carefully restored and converted into an exhibition hall of the ethnography museum.
- Address: Morozovitsa village, st. Central, 122.
To see this architectural miracle, which even in its current state never ceases to amaze, it is undoubtedly worth making the four-kilometer journey from the city to the village of Morozovitsa. Built in the 18th-19th centuries, the monastery complex impresses with the splendor of the Trinity and Tikhvin churches. The Holy and Northern Gates and the watchtower have survived to this day. Be sure to see the delightful four-tiered iconostasis of the Trinity Cathedral, which amazes with its exquisite carvings and unique wooden sculptures.
Museums, monuments and sculptures
Guests of this wonderful city will not have any problems with leisure activities. A traveler who comes here for the first time will find something to see in Veliky Ustyug while walking along the quiet streets, and tourists interested in history and culture will be attracted by the exhibitions of local museums.
- Opening hours: daily, except Mondays, from 10:00 to 18:00.
- Phone: +7 817 382‑34-05.
- /mus-icons
- Address: Sovetsky Prospekt, 84. Transport stop “Lunacharsky Street”.
The museum's exhibitions, of great interest to connoisseurs of filigree, black silver and enamel, are housed within the walls of the Ascension Church. During the excursion you will be able to get acquainted with magnificent collections of church utensils from the 15th-18th centuries, ancient jewelry, and excellent examples of artistic sewing. The pearls of the extensive collection of icons are the images of “Our Lady Hodegetria of Smolensk” and “The Canopy of the Royal Gates”. Experts consider the white stone Cross of St. Procopius to be the main value of the museum. Those interested are invited to take part in an icon painting master class and even try to paint an image with their own hands.
- Opening hours: daily, except Mondays, from 10:00 to 17:300.
- Ticket price: adult 100 rubles, children 50 rubles.
- Phone: +7 817 382-35-76.
- Website: http://www.ustyug-museum.ru
- Address: st. Embankment, 64. Sberbank transport stop.
Be sure to visit the wonderful museum of local history, founded in 1910. Its exhibitions can please art lovers who have seen a lot. A small collection of paintings includes paintings by V. Polenov, I. Aivazovsky, I. Shishkin, A. Vasnetsov. The collection of elegant products made from birch bark, made in the unique Shemogodsky style, is generally unique. In addition, the exhibition halls display ancient icons, church utensils, famous northern mobs, and artifacts found by archaeologists during excavations on the territory of a once prosperous merchant city.
- Address: Komsomolskaya Square. Transport stop “Lunacharskogo Street”.
Erofei Khabarov, another native of the Ustyug land, takes an honorable place among the outstanding explorers and pioneers of the Russian land next to Semyon Dezhnev. From his youth he began to engage in fur trading, in which he was very successful. Moving further and further to the East, Erofey Pavlovich discovered new lands rich in natural resources, carefully recording his impressions and drawing maps. Subsequently, his invaluable notes became the basis for mapping Transbaikalia and the Far East. It is no coincidence that the largest city on the Amur River is named after Khabarov.
- Address: In front of the River Station building. Transport stop "Restaurant Ustyug".
Not far from Veliky Ustyug there is a confluence of the Yug and Sukhona rivers, giving rise to the main water artery of the northern European lands of Russia - the Northern Dvina. The original sculpture, installed on the city embankment in 1983, confirms the indisputability of this fact. An ancient demigod, leaning his knee on a boulder, pours together water from two open amphorae, symbolizing rivers. The words of a quatrain are engraved on the pedestal, poetically describing the birth of the Northern Dvina.
Where to go with children in Veliky Ustyug?
The charming town will delight young travelers with wonderful surprises. Immersion in the world of fairy tales and miracles will bring the child many vivid, memorable impressions.
- Opening hours: from Tuesday to Saturday inclusive, from 10:00 to 18:00. Lunch break from 12:00 to 13:00.
- Ticket price: adult 100 rubles, children 50 rubles.
- Phone: +7 817 382-35-76.
- Website: http://www.ustyug-museum.ru
- Address: Communy Square, 7. Transport stop "River School".
The unique museum is housed in the building of the now defunct Church of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, an architectural monument of the 18th century. Its exhibits include various New Year's decorations: from Bethlehem stars and porcelain angels, which our grandparents decorated Christmas trees with, to glass and plastic holiday accessories that are common today. Colorful toys made of cotton wool, wood or clay, chic garlands, figures of the Snow Maiden and Santa Claus, elegant tips are incredibly colorful. Inspecting the exhibition will delight your beloved child.
- Opening hours: daily, working hours should be clarified by calling the contact phone number.
- Phone: +7 817 385‑21-10.
- Website: http://votchina-deda-moroza.ru
- Address: Mardengskoe settlement, territory of the estate of Father Frost.
One of the main attractions of the Estate of Father Frost is a small zoo, founded in 2009. The spacious enclosures built on an area of 7 hectares contain about 50 species of animals and birds. Here you will see moose, deer, foxes, wolves, brown bears, eagle owls, owls, and other representatives of the fauna of the Russian North. Children will be able to play with some animals. Those interested are offered a ride on a sled pulled by huskies.
- Opening hours: daily, on weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00, on weekends from 10:00 to 18:00.
- Phone: + 7 817 382-04-84.
- Website: http://www.pochta-dm.ru
- Address: Oktyabrsky Lane, 1A. Transport stop “Lunacharskogo Street”.
In addition to the delightful country estate in a fabulous forest, Father Frost also has a residence in Veliky Ustyug itself. The elegant historic mansion houses a post office, which receives millions of letters from young Russians every year. During the excursion, children will be told about how magic mail works, taught how to correctly format messages to Santa Claus, and shown a magnificent collection of New Year's postcards, including rarities from the beginning of the last century.
Veliky Ustyug is rightfully considered one of the best centers of family tourism in Russia. By coming here for the Christmas holidays, you will give a delightful New Year's gift to your adoring children and to yourself. Where else if not here can you feel all the charm of the Russian North and enjoy the delightful delights of winter.
