Kostroma - uVisitRussia

Kostroma

Kostroma is a major tourist centre, and part of the "Golden Ring of Russia", and one of the prettiest towns on the Volga. Kostroma has more than a two-century history. The city was founded in 1152 by prince Jury Dolgoruki. It was a centre of the events of national importance, a birthplace of the Romanov Dynasty, as in 1613, Mikhail Romanov became the Tzar of Russia in Ipatiev monastery in Kostroma. Kostroma city is not only famous for its architecture. Exquisite lace, national arts and crafts, well-known Kostroma butter, thick woods and one of most beautiful Russian women are what the city is proud of.

Located at the confluence of the Volga and Kostroma Rivers, Kostroma city is another jewel in Russia's Golden Ring. The city was founded by Yuri Dolgoruky in the 12th century. Like other towns of the Eastern Russia, Kostroma was sacked by the Mongols in 1238 Kostroma was twice ravaged by the Poles. The city’s heroic resistance makes a glorious page of heroic Russian history.

Kostroma is located not so far from Moscow – just 330 kilometres away. It is interesting to note that Kostroma stands on both banks of Volga River and Kostroma River. For this reason the basic transport means habitual for Kostroma dwellers is river shipping. Lots of moorings and ports are located on Kostroma quay.

Kostroma is also famous for a number of prominent people who lived and acted in Kostroma. During the time of Polish-Lithuanian intervention in the beginning of the 18th century Kostroma played a prominent role in the formation of people's volunteer corps leaded by Minin and Pozharsky.

The city was destroyed by fire in 1773; nevertheless the centre was rebuilt all at once, in remarkable Russian classical style. The central district now comprises buildings and complexes built during the 1770-1830. It’s a fine example of a unique, monolithic complex. Gostiniy dvor ensemble with Spasskaya church, Susanin square ensemble, Molochnaya gora street, General Borshchov’s House and other historical sites in the city center are the fine examples of Russian architecture of 18-19 centuries. Yet the nicest thing to do in Kostroma is to walk along quiet central streets with trading arcades and wooden houses. The charm of the ancient trading city remained, and its special location, right on the shore of such a large river gives it brightness and a special atmosphere. A good place to walk is also the embankment of the Volga River.

On a visit to Kostroma, it is a must to take a walk in the city centre with its ancient architecture, white-stone churches, antique shopping street, and a splendid fire watchtower, which is a trademark of Kostroma.

One of the major historical monuments of Kostroma is the Ipatievsky Monastery. The unique Museum of Wooden Architecture located on the territory of the Ipatievsky Monastery exists since 1958. The city also has the unique Museum of Ivan Susanin’s Feat, the only one in the world. It is known, that Ivan Susanin was a native of one of the villages of Kostroma.

Special attention should be paid to the Kostroma State United Arts Museum, the collection of which is constantly replenished as a result of expeditions around the Kostroma Region. In Kostroma there is also a well-known Literary Museum, opened since 1996. The A.N.Ostrovsky State Drama Theatre is another worthy point of interest in Kostroma.

It is hardly possible to enumerate all the sights of Kostroma, so many there are. The list is so big that it will take more than a week to visit all the well-known places of the city. Thanks to the big number of its sights and picturesque scenery Kostroma enjoys popularity as an attractive tourist place.