Vityaz': Coastal History and Scallop Tradition

Vityaz' brings together Vityaz Bay and stories from different eras: the scallop festival, celebrated annually since 2022, wooden ships in the inner part of the bay, and an estate dating from 1918–1919 give the place its maritime character. The wider setting of the Primorye Region adds further culinary and natural themes. This allows you to shape your trip around either the specific coastal history or a broader interest in Primorye.

Festival and Ships on Vityaz Bay

Since 2022, the “Scallop Birthday Festival” has been held annually in Vityaz Bay. It is organised by the Grebennikov Marine Farm and supported by the Primorye Region Tourism and Information Centre. At the 2025 edition, attendees sampled scallops prepared according to an old Marivody recipe. Nearly 350 portions were served. The tasting is part of the festival.

There are also three wooden ships in the inner part of the bay. Two were first damaged by fire and later sunk. The third, “Larga”, lies opposite Bessonov’s little house. Different maritime traces thus sit side by side in the same bay: damage and sinking are part of the history of two ships, while “Larga” is identified by its position opposite the little house.

An Estate Dating from 1918–1919

The estate of Jan Mikhailovich Jankowski was built on the shore of Vityaz Bay in 1918–1919. Remains of the estate have survived to this day. Two different time periods thus meet at the bay: the estate points to the beginning of the 20th century, while the scallop festival is an annual tradition that began in 2022. Those interested in the history of the place will find not only the festival, but also a historical connection that can be dated precisely.

Primorye Region: Cuisine and Wilderness

The Primorye Region brings together the culinary traditions of different peoples. East Asian-influenced dishes include bibimbap, pyan-se and kimchi. Salmon soup, pelmeni with scallops, fish pie, seaweed soup and Pacific herring smoked in-house are also part of the regional cuisine. Seafood such as oysters, mussels, crabs and scallops is another part of this culinary range. The scallop festival in Vityaz Bay adds its own locally rooted highlight.

Nature is also part of the wider picture of the Primorye Region. In the southwest of the region lies the Land of the Leopard National Park, home to Amur tigers, lynxes, Far Eastern forest cats and Far Eastern leopards. The Leopard Trail eco-trail in the national park has information boards, signs, interactive play features, bridges and viewing points. The Leopard's Den route leads to a mountain whose caves provide temporary shelter for leopards. Nature and wildlife are therefore also part of Primorye, alongside Vityaz's coastal history.

This distinction can help you focus your search on the aspect you are most interested in: Vityaz's local history or the wider region.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Ussuriysk, Volno-Nadezhdinskoye, Slavyanka, Pokrovka, Kirovsky, Artyom, Vladivostok, Nakhodka.

Back to the regional travel overview: Primorye Region.