Veliky Ustyug Voyage Tips and guide

Veliky Ustyug is an ancient merchant town of the Russian North in the far northeast of Vologda Oblast. Russian tourists throng here in the winter, as it is home to Ded Moroz (Russian Santa Claus), but the architecture and history alone make this a destination worth seeking out.

Understand

This ancient Russian city lies at the confluence of the Sukhona and Yug rivers, for which it gets its name: Устюг = Устье Юга = Mouth of the Yug. It received its "Great" title was given to the city by tsar for historical and commercial significance. Ustyug lay on one of the most important routes for the conquest and development of the Komi-Perm lands, the Urals, and on to Siberia. Accordingly, it was the home and birthplace to many Russian explorers. Later, the importance of the city decreased significantly. Fortunately, Ustyug's excellent ecclesiastical architectural heritage escaped Soviet destruction and abuse, preserving its wealth of 18th-century sacred architecture in the northern Baroque style.

Despite being a tough place to get to, in the last ten to fifteen years the city has experienced a real tourist boom, albeit seasonal in nature. Ustyug has the fantastical distinction in Russia of being the home of Ded Moroz (Santa Claus), which brings in the family tourism in the winter. For lovers of history and architecture, as well as harsh, but beautiful northern nature, come instead in the summer. Expect an extremely interesting, informative, and memorable trip.

Get in

60°46′0″N 46°18′0″E

Map of Veliky Ustyug

By plane

60.783646.26121 Veliky Ustyug Airport. A small airport with a few flights from Vologda or Cherepovets (the route from Moscow goes through Cherepovets). Nearby Kotlas Airport KSZ ^IATA has flights from Arkhangelsk.

By train

60.783446.278932 Train station. In winter, there are trains direct to Ustyug. Other times of the year you'll need to transfer to bus or taxi from the stations at Kotlas or Yadrikha. (updated Jan 2016)There are unhandled parameters: wdid; skype; facebook; vkontakte;

By car

From Moscow you can take highway M8 through Rostov, Yaroslavl, Vologda, Kadnikov, then take the Chekshino exit to take the T7 to Veliky Ustyug via Totma. The condition of the road from Chekshino to Veliky Ustyug leaves much to be desired.

By bus

Almost every hour during the day there are buses to Kotlas (1.5 hours). To Vologda (6-7 hours) and Totma (2.5-3 hours), there is officially only one bus, and even then not every day, but minibuses are available, which require a reservation by phone to pick you up at your address; they are easy to find online.

60.77946.31593 Bus station, ул. Транспортная, 4 (At the north end of the town). 07:00–18:10. On all route signs and timetables, this stop is designated as "ПАТП". Local transport runs quite often. (updated Jun 2018)There are unhandled parameters: wdid; facebook; vkontakte;

Get around

There are a few bus routes, with rides costing 22 руб (2018), payment taken by the driver. Schedules and routes are displayed at stops. Route number 1 most often goes from the bus station ("ПАТП") through the city center to the shipyard. There are also some private minibuses.

See

60.731846.33171 Confluence of the Sukhona and Yug rivers. The confluence of the Sukhona and Yug rivers marks the beginning of the Northern Dvina River. (updated Jan 2016)There are unhandled parameters: 1; 2; 3;

Religious architecture

Veliky Ustyug has a rich, well preserved collection of religious architecture in the "Northern Baroque" style.

60.7604846.2985222 Cathedral Courtyard.

(updated Jan 2016)There are unhandled parameters: 1; 2; 3; star;

60.76030246.2979963 Cathedral of Procopius the Righteous (Собор Прокопия Праведного) (Действующий кафедральный собор). Saint Procopius the Righteous - a local saint of the Orthodox Church, lived in Veliky Ustyug in the 13th century, during which he famously predicted the fall of a meteorite near the town in 1290. (updated Jan 2016)There are unhandled parameters: 1; 2;