☃️ Veliky Ustyug, one of the oldest towns in the Vologda region that preserved a rich cultural heritage

📆 Founded in 1147, Veliky Ustyug looks especially picturesque on a clear sunny day due to its white stone buildings (especially the Orthodox churches) that replaced the wooden ones in the 17th century – a rare example in the Russian North.

🎅🎄 Most people associate the town (with 30 000 residents only) with the official residence of Father Frost located 12 km from it.

Since 1999 the residence has been attracting tourists that wish to meet with the Russian Santa Claus at any season of the year. Lots of activities are available there at the moment, starting from walking “Fairy Tales Trail” in the pine forest, snowmobiling to visiting an ice house or a zoo.

✨Opened in 1998 the Museum of New Year and Christmas toys in Veliky Ustyug presents Christmas tree decorations of different types and different years of release, the collection includes statuettes of the Father Frost and Snow Maidens and postcards.

🌲 Christmas trees in the museum are 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.

🌏 Located in the town the Father Frost’s Post Office receives letters coming from all over the world. Some of them are displayed also at the exhibition in the residence.

If you wish to greet the Father Frost and even present to him your ideas on the gifts for Christmas and New Year, you may send him a letter via post service of your country to the address:

📩 Father Frost, 1A, Oktyabrskiy pereulok, Veliky Ustyug, Vologda Region, Russian Federation, 162390.

Photos by Marina Lystseva

#RussianNewYear #DedMoroz #VelikyUstyug