Gorky Street in Bolshoy Kamen — Online Webcam

Bolshoy Kamen — A Shipbuilding City on the Ussuri Bay

If you've ever been curious about life in coastal towns near Vladivostok, Bolshoy Kamen is one of the most colorful examples. This settlement is located just 20 kilometers east of Vladivostok on the opposite shore of the Ussuri Bay in the Sea of Japan. By road, the distance is about 110 kilometers, and by rail — 105.5 kilometers. The city was founded in 1947, and it received city status on August 31, 1989, by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR.

Today, Bolshoy Kamen is not just a suburb but a major ship repair center in the Far East. It is home to a unique enterprise — the Far Eastern Plant "Zvezda," the only facility in the region specializing in the repair and modernization of ships with nuclear power plants. And on the horizon is the construction of Russia's largest shipyard, "Zvezda-DSME," capable of producing vessels with a deadweight of up to 300,000 tons.

From a Closed ZATO to an Open City

For many years, Bolshoy Kamen held the status of a closed administrative-territorial formation. By decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated July 19, 1996, the city was converted into a ZATO. The closed status created serious obstacles to attracting investment and developing the territory. Local residents repeatedly appealed for the restrictions to be lifted.

The situation changed on January 1, 2015, when the ZATO status was abolished. To balance the budget during the transition period, significant funds were allocated from the federal treasury: 340.6 million rubles in 2015, 328.6 million in 2016, and 328 million rubles in 2017. Opening the city gave impetus to infrastructure development and an influx of new residents.

How the Name "Bolshoy Kamen" Came to Be

The etymology of the name goes back to the distant past. The bay that gave the city its name was called different things over the years: Bolshie Kushi, Gushi, Bolshoy Kuvshin. In Chinese, the word for "stone" sounds like "kushi," and Estonian fishermen apparently found the bay's outline resembled a large pitcher. But the main version is tied to a real stone — a huge rock the size of a five-story building that rose 150–200 meters from the shore. This rock was blown up during the construction of the "Zvezda" plant, and now the plant's 11th workshop stands in its place.

Gorky Street — The Heart of the Old District

Gorky Street is located in the historic part of Bolshoy Kamen — the so-called Old District, with postal code 692801. This was the city's first two-story residential area, once on the outskirts but now at the center of the expanded settlement. The street was officially named on November 22, 2001, by Resolution No. 697 of the city administration head.

Near Gorky Street, important urban infrastructure is concentrated: a House of Culture, a kindergarten, the City Park, and shops. The intersection with Karl Marx Street is one of the district's key points where pedestrian and vehicle traffic converge.

The Industrial Heart of the City — The "Zvezda" Plant

The history of Bolshoy Kamen is inseparable from the Far Eastern Plant "Zvezda." The order of the Minister of the Shipbuilding Industry No. 00174 dated July 9, 1946 marked the beginning of the enterprise's creation in Bolshoy Kamen Bay to repair ships of the Pacific Fleet. Construction had been suspended in 1941 due to the war but resumed after its end. People came from all over the Soviet Union to build the plant and the city around it.

Among the pioneers were plant directors Veniamin Pavlovich Dolgov and Vladimir Ivanovich Kushlin, senior technical supervision engineer Viktor Borisovich Bazhanov, and dozens of other specialists whose names are preserved in the city's memory. Starting in the 1960s, housing was actively built in the bay area, and the first streets and residential districts appeared.

Attractions Worth Seeing

Bolshoy Kamen can surprise visitors not only with industrial giants. On Academician Kurchatov Street stands a monument — the conning tower of submarine K-66 — a tribute to the submariners of the Pacific Fleet. On Karl Marx Street stands the Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul, and the monument to ship repair workers of the DVZ "Zvezda" reminds visitors of the city's main profession.

Nature lovers will enjoy the surroundings: Telyakovsky Bay, capes Azaryev, Ogorodny, Shevelev, Palets, Polosatyy, lighthouses on Sedlovidny and Krasny capes, and the Hangansky Peninsula with the "Neptune" base. Each of these sites offers picturesque views of the Sea of Japan.

Climate and Weather in Bolshoy Kamen

The city's climate is monsoon, with pronounced seasonal fluctuations. In winter, temperatures drop to minus 15–20°C, and in summer they rise to plus 25–30°C. The Ussuri Bay has a moderating effect, but strong winds and blizzards are possible in winter. Summer brings high humidity and fog typical of the coastal climate. The webcam on Gorky Street allows you to observe weather changes in real time.

Transport Accessibility and Connections

Bolshoy Kamen is connected to Vladivostok by road and rail. Commuter trains run between the cities, providing daily migration for workers. Within the city, bus routes link the Old and New districts with the industrial zone and residential quarters. Gorky Street is within walking distance of major public transport stops.

What You Can See on the Camera

The webcam on Gorky Street in Bolshoy Kamen broadcasts a live feed from an overlook point. In the frame — the roadway of the street, crosswalks, and building facades of the Old District. Nearby are the House of Culture, a kindergarten, the City Park, and shops. The camera operates in real time, allowing you to observe traffic and pedestrian movement, assess weather conditions and road situations. Access to the broadcast is available online, and archived recordings are saved in the Vladlink Personal Account app. It's a convenient way to follow life in the city while being hundreds of kilometers away from Primorye.