Veliki Ustyug

Town in Vologda oblast (region) of the northwestern Russian Federation, on the River Sukhona, 68 km/42 mi southwest of Kotlas; population (2001 est) 34,900. Industries in Veliki Ustyug include shipbuilding and the manufacture of brushes; the traditional craft of silversmithing is also still practised here.

Veliki Ustyug contains many architectural monuments dating from the 17th to 19th centuries. First documented in 1207, the town was the largest commercial centre of northern Russia until the 17th century.