The 15 best Things to do in Veliky Ustyug

Veliky Ustyug is a city in the Vologda region, one of the oldest in the Russian North. Since 1999, when the first residence of Father Frost was founded, at the mention of Veliky Ustyug, most people have an association with winter holidays. For two decades, the possession of Santa Claus has grown with new objects, and his patrimony has become a real amusement park.

The second important tourist destination of the region is associated with Orthodox architecture. Often temple and monastery buildings are located in Veliky Ustyug and the surrounding area in groups. The most striking examples of such complexes are Cathedral Courtyard and Dymkovskaya Sloboda. The interior decoration of churches, as well as their icons and iconostases, deserves attention.

What to see and where to go in Veliky Ustyug?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Fiefdom of Santa Claus

The official house of the main Russian New Year character is located 12 km from Veliky Ustyug. The estate occupies 42 hectares. Near the river, and the buildings themselves are built in a pine forest. The “Fairy Tales Trail” has been laid on the territory. Snowmobiling, shishkabol games, visits to several themed zones are available. In winter, there is more entertainment, but in summer there is something to do. Among other things, the "School of Magic" works.

City residence of Father Frost

Unlike the fiefdom, it is located directly in Veliky Ustyug. Occupies a mansion building in the central part of the city. It used to be the main house of Santa Claus, until he moved to the pine forest. The throne room is of the greatest interest to the guests. Costume photo shoots are arranged here. For many years, the "Book of Good Deeds" has been conducted, where visitors write down what good they have done over the past year.

Santa Claus mail

Located directly within the city. The exterior of the post office building has been elaborated down to the details, including the log base and carved windows. It is here that letters from children come from all over the country and even from abroad on the eve of the New Year holidays. Some of them are sent to the exhibition at the residence of Santa Claus. Tourists can buy souvenirs at the shop or send their loved ones a postcard with a unique stamp.

Veliky Ustyug Museum-Reserve

The local history museum was opened in the city in 1910, and received the status of a museum-reserve in 1988. The main building stands on the coast of the Sukhona. The funds amount to more than 90 thousand storage units. The permanent exhibition covers various aspects of the city's development, including architecture and local crafts. The collection contains icons, rare coins, ancient books. Temporary thematic exhibitions are held.

Museum of New Year and Christmas toys

Opened in 1998. Occupies a former church building. In addition to Christmas tree decorations of different types and different years of release, the collection includes statuettes of Santa Claus and Snow Maidens and postcards. Several trees are installed in the museum. Each is decorated according to the fashion of a particular decade. One of the halls is reserved for New Year's attributes from other countries and tells about foreign traditions of celebration.

Storage facility

It has existed in its current form since 2007. The storage facility is a part of the multi-profile Velikoustyug Museum-Reserve. Its specificity is such that the funds are available for inspection by tourists. At the same time, there are also closed sections. On the basis of the depository, interactive classes and master classes are held. There are restoration workshops, there is a lecture hall, which is sometimes used for temporary exhibitions.

Ded Moroz Fashion House

Occupies a spacious building in the center of Veliky Ustyug. A real sewing workshop works under him. Tourists have access here during excursions, so you can watch the process of creating a Santa Claus costume. An inset hall is reserved for the "Elegant Fairy Tale" exposition. Master classes are held where guests make festive souvenirs for themselves or loved ones. A tour of the entire Fashion House lasts about an hour.

Cathedral courtyard

The oldest part of Veliky Ustyug. The Cathedral Courtyard includes a complex of temples erected in the period from the 17th to the 19th century. The architecture is typical for Old Russian town planning. The main temple is the Assumption. It is a copy of the Moscow cathedral of the same name, as well as the first such stone building in the Russian North.

Michael the Archangel Monastery

Founded in the XIII century. Stone buildings appeared several centuries later: a large fire destroyed the wooden ones. Closed in 1919. On the territory of the monastery there was a museum, a technical school, an infantry school. The main building is the eponymous five-domed cathedral. There are also three churches, chambers for the abbot and cells for brothers. Although it is not active, this monastery ensemble has been well preserved.

Trinity-Gledensky monastery

From Veliky Ustyug to the monastery about 4 km. There is a complex at the confluence of the South and Sukhona. Founded in the XII century. It was destroyed several centuries later in internecine wars and rebuilt. Trinity Cathedral is the main monastery church. It is famous for its iconostasis. Totem craftsmen were engaged in carving, and gilded clothing was made at the local artel. His icons are distinguished by special elegance, there are also sculptural inserts.

The ensemble of the former Transfiguration Monastery

It was founded in 1422. In 1764 it ceased to exist. The ensemble includes two churches: Transfiguration and Meeting. They are several centuries younger than the monastery and were used for their intended purpose until 1928. Subsequently, their premises were transferred to the Veliky Ustyug Central Archive, which is still located here. The old fence was dismantled in the middle of the century before last; after the closure, the bells were also removed.

Church of Simeon the Stylite

Dated to the middle of the 18th century. The temple is notable for its location, away from the central part of the city and other Orthodox buildings. Another feature is that the architecture has features of the Western European Baroque, which you will not find anywhere else in Veliky Ustyug. There are two limits, and the western facade faces the Sukhona River. A tiered bell tower crowned with a spire was erected at the church.

Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

In the past, this place was used as a trading floor. The temple was consecrated in the 18th century. It was divided into two parts for summer and winter. Nearby there is a bell tower in three tiers. For some time after the revolution, the premises of the church were dilapidated. Restoration began only in the 80s. Since 1986, the collection of the ethnographic museum has been based here. Most of the exhibitions are devoted to folk art and traditions of Veliky Ustyug.

Church of the Ascension

Built in 1648 at the initiative of one of the richest merchants in the city. Initially, the temple had 11 chapters, now their number has decreased to 5. The Church of the Ascension attracts the attention of tourists with its decor and icons. The city has a museum of ancient Russian art, where icons from various churches in the area are collected. In addition, the exhibition includes recreated interiors of the past and wooden sculptures.

Dymkovskaya Sloboda

Another complex consisting of separate temples. The first of them was built at the end of the XIV century. The architecture of the area has changed, and today there are only the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh and the Temple of Dmitry Solunsky. There are also auxiliary buildings on the territory. You cannot go inside, tourist groups can admire the external architecture and listen to the historical information from the guide.