The Ust-Kubena district

The Ust-Kubena district (lit. mouth of the Kubena River) is in the central part of Vologda Oblast, not far from Vologda. The subjects found here at archeological dig, are dated I thousand B.C. By the XI century A.D. these places have been inhabited by Novgorodians. The exact date of foundation of the main settlement – village Ustye (the Mouth) - is unknown, though a small fortress Kubensky town is mentioned in the chronicles of the XIV century. As well as other lands of Vologda Oblast, this area was in the sphere of interests of Novgorod and Moscow, and the future capital of Russia won the dispute. Both Ivan the Terrible, and Peter I visited Ustye. Flourishing of the district is connected to the construction of the Mariinsky water canals system which connected Lake Kubenskoye and St.Petersburg.

Today the Ust-Kubena district is of great importance for economic and cultural spheres of Vologda Oblast. Such an orthodox relic as the Spasso-Kamenny monastery (the Stone monastery of Our Saviour), the revival of which has begun in the 1990s, is widely known. The park once being a part of the Mezhakovs’ manor ensemble is also of interest. It is the only monument of landscape art of the Republican value in Vologda Oblast. There’re many architectural monuments of the XVIII - XIX centuries in the district.

Coast of Lake Kubenskoye is one of the most attractive places in the Vologda land for hunters and fishers. The lakeside area is rich in waterfowl. And the number of elk in the hunting areas is probably the highest in the oblast.

Every year in July there’s a « Festival of a boat » carried out in Ustye to maintain the ancient craft which has once glorified this territory.