Bolshoy Kamen in Primorye — Live Web Camera on Karl Marx Street
Bolshoy Kamen — A Town with a Maritime Soul and Military History
On the eastern shore of Ussuriysk Bay, just 30 kilometers east of Vladivostok, lies the town of Bolshoy Kamen — the sixth most populous settlement in Primorsky Krai. If you want to see this town with your own eyes, the live web camera on Karl Marx Street will immerse you in the atmosphere of this coastal settlement with its rich history. The town was founded on September 22, 1947 as a base for building a shipyard for the repair of Pacific Fleet warships, and it received town status only in 1989.
The town's name has an interesting etymology. The bay on whose shore the settlement grew was called "Big Jug" by Estonian fishermen — because of its distinctive shape. In Chinese, the word for "stone" sounds like "kushi," and it was from the Chinese language that many place names in Primorye were adopted by Russian settlers. On the northern side of the bay, 150–200 meters from the shore, rose a huge rocky boulder — and it gave the town its final name.
From a Closed ZATO to an Open Town
For many years, Bolshoy Kamen remained closed to outsiders. Since 1996, the town held the status of a closed administrative-territorial formation — without a special pass, it was impossible to enter. The closure was due to the specific nature of the military facilities and ship repair enterprises located in the town, which served the Pacific Fleet.
The ZATO status provided the town with increased budget funding for social infrastructure, but at the same time hindered economic development. The situation changed in December 2014, when a decree on transformation was signed. From January 1, 2015, Bolshoy Kamen ceased to be a closed town, opening its doors to investors, tourists, and anyone wishing to learn about life in Primorye.
Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex — The Pride of Bolshoy Kamen
The town's main economic landmark is the Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex, Russia's only large-tonnage shipbuilding facility. The new shipyard was laid down in 2009 on part of the territory of the Far Eastern Zvezda Plant. The official production launch took place on September 1, 2016 in the presence of the President of Russia.
The complex is equipped with unique facilities: Russia's largest dry dock, four tower cranes with a lifting capacity of 60 tons each, and the Goliath gantry crane with a lifting capacity of 1,200 tons. Large vessels and tankers are built here for Russian oil and gas companies, and projects for hydrocarbon production on the continental shelf are also being implemented. In 2024, the enterprise fell under U.S. blocking sanctions due to its involvement in the construction of LNG tankers for the Arctic LNG 2 project.
Karl Marx Street — The Central Artery of the Town
Karl Marx Street is one of the main thoroughfares of Bolshoy Kamen, housing a significant portion of the town's infrastructure. The administrative building (No. 47) is located here, as well as several monuments reflecting the town's history. The postal codes for the street are 692801, 692802, 692806.
It is on this street that the Bolshoy Kamen stele stands on Ship Square — a symbolic monument marking the place where the town began. Nearby is a monument to fellow countrymen who died during the Great Patriotic War, as well as the conning tower of submarine K-66, which has become an outdoor museum exhibit.
Attractions of Bolshoy Kamen
Despite its industrial profile, Bolshoy Kamen boasts several notable sights. In addition to the aforementioned stele and submarine conning tower, worth noting is Ship Square — the town's central public space, where festive events are held. On Town Day, celebrated on September 22, thousands of townspeople gather here.
The population of Bolshoy Kamen is about 40,387 people — making it the sixth largest town in Primorsky Krai. The coat of arms of the urban district was approved on August 7, 1997 by decision of the ZATO Duma, with the concept authored by Vasilyev V.I.
Climate and Nature of Ussuriysk Bay
Bolshoy Kamen lies in a zone of temperate monsoon climate. Winters here are cold and windy, but without extreme frosts, while summers are warm and humid. Ussuriysk Bay, on whose shore the town stands, is one of the largest bays of the Sea of Japan and is famous for its sandy beaches and picturesque rocky shores.
Bolshoy Kamen Bay, which gave the town its name, is protected from the open sea by capes, making it a convenient harbor for vessels. In the warm season, the coast attracts lovers of seaside recreation, fishing, and boating. The coastal cliffs and green hills create the characteristic landscape of southern Primorye.
What You Can See on the Camera
The live web camera streams Karl Marx Street in Bolshoy Kamen in real time — you can observe traffic and pedestrians, assess the weather conditions, and soak in the atmosphere of this coastal town. The camera covers the central part of the street, where administrative buildings and pedestrian zones are located. The online broadcast allows you to see what Bolshoy Kamen looks like at any time of day — whether it's a busy weekday or a quiet evening on the coast of Ussuriysk Bay.
