Merchant Totma: From Salt Works to Sea Discoveries

17 points7 km0 hours

This route introduces you to the unique salt-making trade that made Totma one of the richest towns of the Russian North. This old town of seafarers and explorers also preserves the memory of the Totma merchants who conquered Alaska and California. We'll begin the tour at “Totma Salt,” a cultural and historical landscape complex in the village of Varnitsy, Totma District, Vologda Region. It introduces the ancient salt-making trade, which played an important role in the town's development. Here you'll learn all about salt making and see open-air museum exhibits and the Kokorev Garden. The route was prepared as part of the “Vsyako Doyedem” (“We'll Get There Anyway”) project.

Route author

Yulia Drugashkova

Things to do

История
Парки
Ремесло

Route points (17)

Russky Prichal Hotel and the “Sailing Ship” Genre Sculpture in Totma

Point on route “Merchant Totma: From Salt Works to Sea Discoveries”

Point 17

Russky Prichal Hotel and the “Sailing Ship” Genre Sculpture

📸 Take photos • 🎨 Art installations

Where to Stay in Totma?

If you'd like to stay longer in the town of seafarers, choose the Russky Prichal (Russian Pier) Hotel. It stands on the bank of the Sukhona River and consists of two wooden buildings: one houses the reception desk, the other the guest rooms. The hotel offers cozy standard, family, and budget rooms.

A Photo Spot Where You Must Make a Wish

The art piece is a galiot with scarlet sails, a simplified, scaled-down copy of an old sailing vessel. According to its designers, it was on ships like this that Totma seafarers set off on their voyages along rivers and seas. Beautiful photos to round off our walk are guaranteed. And the wish? Have you made your wish? It will probably be: “I want to come back to wonderful Totma!”