Tanya and I went to Veliky Ustyug during the off-season, during the May holidays. The main goal was the estate of Father Frost, but I also wanted to see Veliky Ustyug at least with one eye. And, to be honest, I didn’t expect that I would like this city so much.
To Veliky Ustyug, in an amicable way, you need to set aside two, or even three full days. And leave one more day for the Patrimony. But about it some other time, otherwise there will be too much text.
So, the attractions of Veliky Ustyug... ...are those that are interesting for children too. We will talk about them - about what we saw personally and can confidently recommend..
Other entries about Veliky Ustyug:
The estate of Father Frost in Veliky Ustyug
Guest house “BOR'ok Guesthouse” in Veliky Ustyug - honest review with photos
How to get to Veliky Ustyug without a car
Tanya and I didn’t have time to see everything in Veliky Ustyug. Firstly, as I already mentioned, there weren’t enough extra couple of days. Secondly, I absolutely did not want to bore an eight-year-old child with a lot of ethnography and history, when the May Father Frost had firmly settled in his head.
Attraction of Veliky Ustyug No. 1
Santa Claus Mail
Masterpiece. Much more interesting than the one located directly in the Votchina. A small room is the “hallway”, it is also the cash register, it is also the souvenir shop. And a fairly spacious nook with Santa Claus’s office. It contains a rack with letters, a desk, an armchair, a bag with unanswered letters and a counter for received letters.
A female assistant gives an interesting tour. Moreover, he conducts it regardless of the number of listeners - Tanya and I were alone, and she told us which letters remain unanswered, which letters upset Grandfather, who helps him in keeping track of the letters.
She also shows unique letters - in the form of an eight-meter scroll, letters in A3 size envelopes, letters from adults and others. I was struck by a letter from a 90-year-old grandmother who asked Santa Claus to give her the opportunity to live until the birth of her great-great-grandson (they were expecting it in six months)!!! Albums, crafts - everything is stored. A very warm and welcoming place.
Santa Claus Post Office Address: Veliky Ustyug, Oktyabrsky Lane, 1A
One of the most ancient Russian cities
The Rostov-Suzdal princes once founded a settlement on this site, which was named Gleden. The city got its name from the name of the river Yug, at the mouth of which it was located. A lot of buildings have been preserved here, reflecting the heritage of the ancient state. The style of construction of the cathedrals and churches of the city is very ancient and was no longer used in later buildings.
There are no ancient wooden buildings in this ancient city. The reason for this is a big fire that happened here at the end of the 16th century. 7 churches and more than 700 residential buildings were destroyed in its fire. Therefore, residents erected new buildings from stone. Of course, there are wooden houses in the city, and even very beautiful ones, but they were built much later.
Veliky Ustyug attraction No. 2
City residence of Father Frost
I heard from several people that the city residence is worth visiting only if you have free time. But we all left early. Of course, it can’t be compared with Votchina, but it’s quite good for a child. I wasn't too interested.
Several halls containing figures, stands, and some historical information. In the largest hall they show a puppet tale about how a certain villain stole a magic staff. And finally - a master class to choose from.
Address (near the Post Office): Veliky Ustyug, Sovetsky Prospekt, 85
What to see in the area
Veliky Ustyug is surrounded by meadows and dense forests, which are threaded by three large rivers. It is difficult to blame nature for anything; it is beautiful both in its snow-white robe and in the greenery of summer. Among the specific places where tourists visit, most often the forgotten monastery and the “Sukhonsky miracle” - an unusual-looking section of the Sukhona River.
Photo: © Sergey Vasilets
Trinity-Gledensky Monastery
On the other side of the Sukhona, on a hill near the confluence with the South, lies the village of Morozovitsa . People visit it to look at the ensemble of the Trinity-Gleden Monastery. The monastery was founded in the city of Gleden, now defunct. Unlike the city, it survived the civil strife of the Russian princes, and in the 17th-18th centuries. rebuilt in stone.
Now the Trinity Cathedral and the Tikhvin Church rise on the territory. Surprisingly, the institutions of the Soviet era did not violate their architectural integrity. The pearl of the cathedral is a carved, gilded iconostasis with icons reminiscent of European painting. You can explore the monastery from the outside on your own in winter or summer, but excursions inside are only available in the summer. The surrounding landscape of the monastery is always worthy of attention - the river expanses at the junction of large rivers.
Read more: Trinity-Gledensky Monastery
Opoki
One of the remarkable places in the vicinity of Ustyug that you can visit in winter is Opoki, which is 63 km from the city. This is both the rapids on the Sukhona and the steep, exposed right bank of the river near the village of Porog. The slope is composed of red and white rocks, alternating horizontal layers. A small stream washed it through, dividing it in two.
The rapids on the river are long, shallow, but fast flowing. In winter it is unlikely to be seen as the river freezes. The well is of greatest interest: the jet gushing out like a fountain creates high walls of ice. It is located on the other side of the river a kilometer below the Threshold. To get to the fountain, you need to cross to the other side. After snow, you may have to pave the trail yourself. You need to be careful on the ice; there are gullies in some places.
Read more: Opoki in the Vologda region
Ice fountain in Opoki Photo: © Kristina Kosinskaya
Veliky Ustyug attraction No. 3
Museum of Nature
Also a masterpiece. Going with children under 10 years old is a must. There are only four halls, but what great ones! An interactive hall dedicated to bears - riddles in a house with opening windows, a model of a den, a bear height meter, a tree in the hollows of which bear delicacies are hidden. Diorama for all seasons with the sounds of forest birds and animals and incomparable stuffed animals. A room with excavations and the opportunity to assemble a dinosaur yourself. Not only Tanya, but I also really liked it.
Address: Veliky Ustyug, st. Embankment, 64
Events of the Veliky Ustyug Museum-Reserve
Children's Museum Center
It is located in an old mansion in the city center. These halls and rooms have seen a lot over the past century, and now they welcome hundreds of children every day, for whom the most interesting events and master classes are held here. We visited two of them.
Traditional Ustyug painting of the Firebird
This master class begins with a story about the life of Ustyug residents of the 17th-19th centuries, when the traditional folk craft of painting on birch bark was developed in the city. Each participant is invited to take a toy made in the old style from a magic chest and hang it on the Christmas tree. A folk artist shows and talks about traditional painting. Then the master class participants paint their own Christmas tree toy - the Firebird, which will remain as a keepsake and become a family mascot.
The cost of the master class is 280 rubles. per person, including toy. But the minimum group is 6 people. Therefore, if there are fewer of you, agree in advance to be joined to some other group so as not to overpay. The same applies to other master classes and excursions.
Russian Columbuses
This is another very interesting event, which is held in the children's museum center. I will not reveal secrets, I will only say that it is held in an interactive, exciting way. We were very impressed by the story about the famous Ustyug travelers Semyon Dezhnev and Erofey Khabarov. Without sparing themselves, risking their lives, they discovered new lands. Ustyug residents can rightfully be proud of their fellow countrymen. Monuments have been erected to both famous travelers in Veliky Ustyug.
The children's museum center also hosts other interactive events. You can find the full list HERE.
Museum of Nature
The Museum of Nature is another part of the Veliky Ustyug Museum-Reserve. Located in the wing of an old house on the Sukhona embankment.
The museum is small, but very nice. The exhibition is designed primarily for children of all ages. At the entrance they are greeted by a slide, from which it is very difficult to drag the children away. The children liked this museum the most, and we, adults, also found it interesting.
Instead of entrance fees, I would recommend paying for an interactive tour. Its cost is 150 rubles. per person, but at least 900 rubles. Since there were 6 of us, it came out to 150 rubles each.
The museum hosts thematic events - “All about the bear”, “Mysteries of northern nature”, “Living past of the Earth” and a master class on painting on birch bark.
We attended the excursion “Mysteries of Northern Nature”. The excursion is very interesting - with illumination, changing seasons, voices of animals and birds. Then the guide asked questions in a playful manner and gave prizes. Everyone really liked it.
The “All About the Bear” program is designed for kids. Our children had fun climbing in the bear's house, determined by touch what he was eating and learned a lot of new things.
In general, I really liked the museum and recommend it.
Veliky Ustyug attraction No. 4
Museum of the History of Veliky Ustyug
Things from ancient times to the present day. The museum covers absolutely all times - here you can see chain mail, and things of merchants, and photographs of Ustyug citizens who fought, and handicrafts, and letters from the repressed, and sugar coupons of the late 20th century. I give 5 stars for the quality of the decoration of the halls and the extensiveness of the exhibition. The history museum is located in the same courtyard as the nature museum. And the courtyard is behind the gates of a historical merchant's house.
Factory Northern Mobile
A visit to the Severnaya Chern factory was perhaps the most vivid impression of Veliky Ustyug for us.
The factory produces silver items made using the ancient blackening technique. This folk craft has been carefully preserved for several centuries. All work is done manually. The composition for blackening is kept strictly secret.
You can book a tour and master class at the factory. During the tour, you will be told in detail about the production process and shown the best works of artists. At the master class, you can try yourself as a craftsman and carve a snowflake on a copper or silver coin using a special tool - a stencil.
At this master class, you will understand what a difficult job an engraver has. It is interesting that mostly women work at the factory. Apprentices are accepted into production at the age of 17, i.e. right after school, the training lasts 7 months. The master class for us was conducted by a fragile and pretty girl. But after 10 years of work, she has already become a highly qualified master.
At the factory there is a store where you can buy products of traditional Veliky Ustyug blackening, as well as jewelry from other factories. It is very difficult to leave without purchasing.
Factory address Website
Find inexpensive apartments in Veliky Ustyug HERE.
