Prince Yuri Dolgorukiy (Long-Arm) founded Kostroma as a fortress in 1152 at the confluence of Volga and Kostroma rivers. The origin of its name has several versions, connected with fire. One version says that Kostroma was the name of a straw scarecrow, wearing women clothes. It was annually thrown in a water or was burnt during pagan funeral ritual when people said goodbye to spring and prepared to the summer. Another version says that the name originates from numerous fires on the banks of Kostroma during log driving down the river.
Kostroma played a major role during Russia fighting against Mongol-Tatars; having good transport communications with other parts of North-Eastern Russia, Kostroma was the place of gathering of Russian troops during the invasions of the Golden Horde in XIV-XV centuries. It was also an important strategic point during Russian feudal wars.
The coat of arms of Kostroma is the first coat of arms of a town in Russia, it depicts a galley which was used by Russian Queen Catherine II to arrive to a town. In the second half of XIII century Kostroma becomes a center of an independent principality. The role of a town as a craft and trade center grows significantly in XVI century. Many Kostroma architectural monuments remain from that time, including ensemble of the Holy Trinity Ipatiev monastery. Nowadays the town is known for its cheese production. It is also a part of the Golden Ring of Russia.
Kostroma usually makes a good impression on tourists. In Soviet times, there were many secret defense facilities, access to town was restricted, for this reason the beggars are very rare in the streets of Kostroma as well as a foul language, the citizens are polite and friendly. The city seems very cozy and disposes to walks. Streets in the center are clean, many buildings have been restored.
Top sights in Kostroma
The museum “Snow Maiden Fairy Land" - is one of the objects in Kostroma, dedicated to the folk character Snow Maiden, besides Snow Maiden Residence, Snow Maiden Terem (Manor) and Blue House-Museum in…
Ivan Susanin is a national hero, who died in 1613 sacrificing his life to save Tsar. He was a logger who promised Polish troops to show a short way to Hypatian Monastery in Kostroma, where was hiding Tsar…
The architectural ensemble of Gostiny Dvor was built in Kostroma over several decades since the end of the XVIII century to 30-ies of the XIX century. This territory near the Kremlin is known from ancient…
Embankment of the Volga River in the town of Kostroma greets its residents and guests with a Moscow Outpost obelisk. This architectural complex was built in 1823 and was a main entrance to the city. Its…
The history of the Theophany Convent starts in the middle of the XV century, when the first monastery fortress was built. The monastery was founded by a disciple of St. Sergius of Radonezh, Nikita. The…
Sumarokovo elk farm is currently a home for around 40 elks. Since 1963 people tried to domesticate the elk here.
Tourist season on the elk farm is open all year round. In winter, elks are in the woods,
The Kostroma Sloboda is an open-air museum of wooden architecture with beautiful examples of wooden churches, houses, huts and banyas (bathhouses), brought here from neighboring villages.
History of Kostroma…
The monument of Lenin in Kostroma was opened on May 1, 1928 in the Park, it finishes the perspective of the main avenues. Figure is mounted on a granite pedestal, initially made for another multi-figure…
Ipatiev Monastery (Holy Trinity Ipatievsky Orthodox Monastery) is located near the confluence of the Volga and Kostroma rivers. According to one of the versions, the monastery was founded around 1330 by…
Fire tower in the town of Kostroma is located on the central square of the city. It was built on the initiative of the governor Baumgarten, the author of the project was the architect Fursov. The construction…
