This book is about medieval northern cities and about those who lived in them more than three hundred years ago - bone cutters, blacksmiths, icon painters, masons. The author of the book, archaeologist O. V. Ovsyannikov, conducted scientific research for several years in the Arkhangelsk region. However, the book uses more than archaeological material. A thorough search in archival repositories allowed the scientist to find written documents that are still unknown to the reader. The book touches on many moments of northern history: the long struggle for Zavolochye between Veliky Novgorod and Moscow, the reflection of raids by robber detachments at the beginning of the 17th century, the construction of wooden and stone fortresses.