Solikamsk (, Permyak: Совкар, Sovkar, also Соликамскӧй, Sovkamsköy) is a town in Perm Krai, Russia. Modern Solikamsk is the third-largest town in the krai, with a population of History The earliest surviving recorded mention of Solikamsk, initially as "Usolye-na-Kamskom" (Усолье на Камском) dates from 1430, in connection with the discovery and exploitation by miners and merchants, probably from Vologda, of massive salt deposits on the banks of the Usolka River. The name of the town is derived from the Russian words "" (sol, meaning "salt") and "" (Kama River, flowing through the town). The rapid growth of Solikamsk in the 17th century was predicated on the establishment of the Babinov Road, which was the only overland route leading from European Russia to Siberia. This road started in Solikamsk. The Stroganov family operated the country's largest salt-mining facilities in Solikamsk and the surrounding area. The local saltworks were described in detail by Johann Georg Gmelin. In the mid-17th century Solikamsk also became the first centre of copper casting in Russia. After the establishment of iron works in Yekaterinburg and Perm and the construction of a southern highway to Siberia the importance and prosperity of Solikamsk gradually declined. Until 1923, the town was the administrative center of Solikamsky Uyezd in Perm Governorate. In November 2014 a sinkhole opened near Solikamsk because of a mining problem. Coat of arms Coat of arms was granted to Solikamsk on July 17, 1783. The arms show in the upper half the arms of Perm Governorate. The lower half shows a salt well, due to Solikamsk being the largest producer of salt and magnesium in Russia at the time. Cultural heritage Cultural heritage monuments in Solikamsk include a slew of old churches and several civic buildings of importance, including: The governor's residence (1673–1688), the oldest surviving house in the Urals. A two-storey wooden house dating from the early 18th century. Turchaninov's residence from the 1760s and 1780s. The most important religious buildings are the following: The Trinity Cathedral (1683–97) with five domes, three far-flung porches (of which two survive), the annex of John the Baptist (consecrated 1689) and the annex of Saint Nicholas (consecrated in 1693). Some architectural elements have no parallel anywhere in Russia. The octagonal Bell Tower was built in 1713. It also has no parallel in Russian architecture. The five-domed Church of the Lord's Epiphany (1688–95) contains a choice selection of icons from a