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
Museum “Snow Maiden Fairy Land”

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…

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 Mikhail Romanov. Instead he led them into the deep forest so they never return, probably died because of cold winter. Words that are cut on monument say:
Monument to Ivan Susanin

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…

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 times as a place of trade with wooden benches. Architectural monuments in the territory of the historic center of Kostroma represent all artistic styles that existed in Russia for the past five centuries. On a relatively small area there are about 50 architectural monuments protected by state as monuments of history and culture.
Kostroma Gostiny Dvor

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…

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 creation was timed to the arrival of the Emperor Alexander I. The composition of Outpost includes two quadrangular obelisks with guardhouses, crowned with double-headed gilded eagles, and connected by an arched span. Lately the guardhouses were reconstructed, but the obelisks were preserved. In 1912, commercial spaces were attached to the obelisks. Earlier in this place there was a river ferry. Here a road to Yaroslavl and Moscow began. Here arrived merchant ships. At that time the Outpost played the role of a customs post. But time passed, and the value of the Volga river, as a main trade artery of the country, has decreased. Moscow Outpost ceased to play the role of main town gates. In our time it is an adornment of the town, and an architectural monument of the classicism.
The Moscow Outpost

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.

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 construction of the main monastery cathedral started in 1559 and it was the first stone building in town. Actually, there were three different monasteries in this place: the Epiphany, the Exaltation Of The Holy Cross and Anastasiansky, founded by Anastasia, beloved wife of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. However, in the mid-nineteenth century the Epiphany monastery was destroyed by fire, ceased to exist. Anastasiansky monastery was abolished earlier in the second half of the eighteenth century, and all the nuns were transferred to the Exaltation Of The Holy Cross convent. However, 10 years later the monastery was rebuilt on the same spot, and became known as the Exaltation Of The Holy Cross Anastasiansky convent. Over the years of its existence, the monastery have seen a lot, but have survived to the present day. July 20, 1990 the monastery was revived as Theophany (Bogoyavlensky Anastasiansky) Convent, a year later, the temple received the status of a Cathedral. Here was brought the main shrine of Kostroma - the icon of Our Lady of Saint Theodore (Feodorovskaya). Temple iconostasis is decorated with cross-shaped reliquary, containing the relics of 278 saints. Now the monastery wall is restored, new buildings were constructed on the territory of the monastery including two hotels for pilgrims and priests. The monastery also act as hospice and orphanage.
Theophany (Bogoyavlensky) Convent

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.

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, from April all the animals are transferred to the summer camp when calving begins. The collar of each adult elk on the farm is equipped by radio transmitter so that they dont get lost in the woods. The visitors of the farm tour are offered to take pictures with elks and to feed them with carrots, to buy souvenirs and to taste elk milk (from June to September). Currently, the elk farm is the only place in Russia where moose milk is produced. Elk milk has many beneficial properties, it can be tasted in a nearby health resort.
Sumaroko Elk Farm

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…

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 Sloboda museum begins in 1958, when the first wooden church of Transfiguration was transferred from the village of Spas-Vezhi to the Ipatiev monastery. This beautiful wooden church with a slender and elegant silhouette built in 1628 unfortunately, has not survived, it burned down in the early 2000's. A whole town was gradually built under the monastery walls, looking like the ancient monastery posad (posad is a settlement adjoining monastery). The oldest museum monument is a Cathedral Church Of The Blessed Virgin Mary, built in 1552. Near the Church stands a windmill of the XIX century. Sloboda contains churches, chapels, it has a recreated a village street with huts, farm buildings and windmills. Recreated interiors in huts show all the details of peasant life at different levels of wealth from the rich peasants to the poor. Here you can also see unusual wooden banyas. Their roofs are at the level of bird nests. People entered such banyas using long ladders. The Museum hosts a variety of folk craft festivals.
Kostroma Sloboda

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…

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 composition, dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty.
Monument to Lenin in 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…

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 Tatar Mirza Chet, the ancestor of Godunovs family, who escaped from the Golden Horde to Ivan Kalita and was converted to Christianity in Moscow, receiving the name of Zacharias. According to another legend, the monastery was founded in 1275 by Prince Vasily (Yaroslavich) of Kostroma, brother of Alexander Nevsky, who has become the Grand Prince of Vladimir, but preferred to live in Kostroma. After the death of Prince Vasily and the abolition of Kostroma principality, the monastery came under the patronage of the Godunovs family. Mikhail Romanov with his mother a nun Martha, expelled by Godunov, lived for more than six years in the monastery cloisters, built in 1583. Along with the Romanov dynasty coming to power, the Ipatiev monastery acquired new powerful patrons. 14 Feb 1613, Mikhail Romanov was enthroned in a solemn ceremony in the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the monastery. The monastery took a special position as a
Ipatiev Monastery

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…

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 of the tower was carried out in 1824/1825, finishing work was completed in 1827. The building was built in the form of a two-storey rectangular with a fine portico, crowned with an octagonal sentry tower. The tower facade make it look more like a palace, and the sentry tower is very similar to the belfry of the temple. Good location of the monument, integrity, and compactness of the architectural space, the expressiveness of its silhouette, moderate use of decoration on the facade make Kostroma fire tower one of the best monuments of late classicism in Russia. Seeing this graceful Kostroma defender from fires, the Nicholas I was struck by its beauty. After that, it gained fame as the best fire tower in the Empire. In the second half of the nineteenth century, the tower was rebuilt several times. The building was attached with the fire station. Throughout its history, the tower was used by the fire service. In 2005, it was passed to Kostroma Museum.
Fire tower in Kostroma

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…