Описание (английский)
Veliky Ustyug is a town in Vologda Oblast, Russia, located in the northeast of the oblast at the confluence of the Sukhona and Yug Rivers. As of the 2010 Census, its population was 31,665.
Veliky Ustyug has a great historical significance and was one of the
major cities of the Russian North. It preserved some of the past urban
structure and many of the architectural monuments. It has lost its
former leading role and is nowadays mostly known for tourism.Veliky Ustyug preserves much of its architectural heritage and has one
of the best preserved architectural ensembles in Russia.
The town
contains 152 objects classified as cultural and historical heritage by
the Russian Federal law and 25 objects classified as cultural and
historical heritage of local importance. It is classified as a historical town by the Ministry of Culture of
Russian Federation, which implies certain restrictions on construction
in the historical center.
Since the 1990s, Veliky Ustyug was marketed as the residence of Ded Moroz, a fictional character somewhat similar to Santa Claus. In 1998, Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov proposed to officially locate the residence of Ded Moroz in Veliky Ustyug. The residence, which is a resort promoted as the Votchina (Russian: Вотчина, Estate), of Ded Moroz, is a major tourist attraction.
It is 16 km from the town, on the premises of Velikoustyugsky District.
There is a dedicated post office there that answers children's mail to
Ded Moroz and has answered more than 1.2 million letters.