Coat of arms

Velikie Luki

Velikie Luki

 Close to the Russian border with Latvia and Belarus is the city of Velikie Luki - which can be translated as Great Bows, although rather than being named after the weapon, it is believed the bow is in fact in reference to bends in the River Lovat on which the city stands. Nevertheless it was decided to depict bows when designing the city’s coat of arms. This is however appropriate taking into  account Veliky Luki’s military past.

 Understandably given its location on Russia’s western border, the city has played a significant role in national defence. During the Second World War the city was heavily bombed and very briefly fell to the Nazis. The much-celebrated heroism and self-sacrifice of Matvey Kuzmin took place during this period just outside Velikie Luki. Today Velikie Luki holds the honorary title of a City of Military Glory.


Basic facts
Name in Russian
Великие Луки
Status
City-municipality and administrative centre of the Velikie Luki District of the Pskov Region
Location
On the River Lovat
Distance
275km south-east of Pskov, 560km south of St Petersburg, 470km west of Moscow
Time Zone
Moscow Time
Population
96,514 people (2014)
First Mentioned
1166
Former Names
Luki
Titkes/Awards
City of Military Glory
Official Website
http://vluki.reg60.ru/