The annual flow of tourists to Kostroma already exceeds half a million people. And the number of travelers coming to this ancient Russian city is constantly growing. No wonder. "The Empress of Kostroma" conquers everyone with her sweet provinciality and surprises with the richness of preserved traditions. The Volga city is hospitable, has many historical and architectural monuments and always pleases guests with magnificent views.
The history of the emergence of Kostroma
Most researchers believe that the first settlement was organized on the right bank of the Volga, on the site of the village of Gorodishche. It happened in 1152. In the 13th century, the city was moved to the opposite bank of the river, and the Grand Duke Yaroslav Vsevolodovich issued a decree on the construction of the first wooden fortress here.
Ipatiev Monastery
Later, in the internecine strife that happened between the Tver and Moscow princes, the Kostroma took the position of Tver ... and lost. The city was severely devastated, and by the beginning of the XIV century it became part of the Moscow principality. In the 1330s, a new fortified monastery was founded on the left bank of the Volga, designed to reliably protect the border areas of the principality that was gaining strength - the Ipatiev Monastery. Kostroma became an important stronghold and rescued Dmitry Donskoy, who was hiding from the Tatar raids, and later his son, Vasily.
In the 16th century, the city was actively developing, and the Kostroma residents took part in the military campaign of Tsar Ivan IV against Kazan. However, at the beginning of the next, XVII century, the Time of Troubles began in Russia. During this period, Kostroma managed to play a decisive role in the life of the Russian state and became the place where a new tsarist dynasty was born. It was here in 1613 that the young boyar Mikhail Romanov agreed to be the new Russian tsar. These important events determined the fate of the city for many centuries, and members of the reigning family never forgot their roots.
Epiphany-Anastasiin Convent
What to see in Kostroma
The city is open about a dozen museums and preserved rare examples of wooden architecture, as well as architectural monuments, made in the style of baroque and classicism. It is interesting to visit the old complex in the historical center of the city Shopping arcade, erected in the late 18th - early 19th centuries. This place is very picturesque and allows you to feel the spirit of the merchants inherent in the province. At Gostiny Dvor there is an elegant five-headed Church of the Savior, successfully integrated by talented architects into the architectural ensemble of a large shopping complex.
Nearby is Susaninskaya square, where several attractions are concentrated at once: a large, palace-like, classic Borshchov mansion, a high Fire Tower, graceful buildings of the Guardhouse and Public Places. Susaninskaya Square is a great place for a promenade. From her, past the petite chapels of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, which stands on Molochnaya Gora street, it is convenient to go to the Volga coast.
View of the Spaso-Zaprudnensky Church
On the left bank, in the Zavolzhsky district of the city, there are ancient temples - Elijah the Prophet at the Settlement, Church of Alexander and Antonina in Selishchi and Old Believers Church of the Transfiguration, with which the tragic history of the church schism in Russia is connected. Many pilgrims and tourists come to the city to visit the famous Ipatievsky and Epiphany-Anastasiin monasteries as well Spaso-Zaprudnensky temple, left over from the ancient monastery of the same name. Here are kept unique ancient icons, wall paintings and precious objects for worship - the real shrines of the Kostroma land!
House of General S. S. Borshchov
Temple lovers love the picturesque Church of the Resurrection on Debra... This is the only posad church that has survived in the city from the middle of the 17th century. Of great interest is the bell tower with a crown, which stands near Church of St. Alexis.
Interesting to look at John Chrysostom Church the middle of the 18th century, the eclectic temple harmoniously combines the old traditions of pre-Petrine architecture, the ornate baroque and the severity of classicism. To see the wall paintings of the Kostroma masters, it is worth visiting Church of St. John the Evangelist in Ipatievskaya Sloboda.
Fire tower on Susaninskaya square
Kostroma holidays and festivals
Event tourism is no less popular in the city than pilgrimage and sightseeing tours, and thousands of travelers come to Kostroma to take part in vivid mass performances.
In winter, the city presents its guests with folk New Year and Christmas festivities, beautifully decorated streets, wonderful holidays near the Terem Snegurochka and skiing down the ice slides. And the ancient temples and mansions look especially beautiful in the rays of the evening illumination.
Guardhouse on Susaninskaya Square
On March 27, an interesting historical reconstruction is carried out on the streets of Kostroma every year. Kostromichi, dressed in costumes of the 18th century, stage an important event in the history of the state - the arrival of the embassy from Moscow to the Volga city and the ascent to the throne of the first sovereign from the Romanov family.
In April, the city celebrates the birthday of the Snow Maiden cheerfully. And in June, thousands of guests gather near Kostroma, in the old estate of Sledovo, for the magnificent "Ball of Flowers". The territory of the manor complex has the status of a reserve. And here during the holiday you can see a variety of flowers brought from different parts of the world. A real riot of colors! And during the ball, theatrical performances and performances of a brass band are held in the estate.
Church of the Resurrection of Christ on Debra
In August, Kostroma residents celebrate the day of the city and hold a spectacular and noisy festival of fireworks "Silver Boat", which would be more correctly called a holiday of pyrotechnic art. The festival is so large that it has received a high status among similar European shows.
Fans of extreme sports in winter and summer can become spectators at the "Susanin Trophy" raids held in the vicinity of the city, where experienced motorists and motorcyclists participate. In addition, in the summer, Kostroma organizes the annual jewelry festival "Golden Ring" of Russia.
Ostrovsky's pavilion near the river station of Kostroma
Tourist infrastructure
Travelers who come to the city for several days will find it easy to find a variety of accommodation options in Kostroma. Several hotels, budget hostels and guest houses have been built here. In addition, Kostroma sanatoriums and boarding houses are always happy to welcome tourists, and those who wish can rent apartments for daily rent. Those who are counting on a more secluded vacation - closer to nature, can pay attention to the offers of bases and rest houses, which are located in the suburbs closest to Kostroma.
Shopping arcade from a bird's eye view
The Volga city is famous for its hospitality and hospitality. There are many restaurants, bars, cafes, coffee shops and pizzerias here. Moreover, in every restaurant the chef will certainly offer some signature dish prepared according to an old recipe. As it should be on the routes of the "Golden Ring", many cafes and restaurants offer guests to taste traditional Russian cuisine. The most popular among tourists in terms of value for money are the Samovar cafe (Simanovskogo st., 6), the Horns and Hooves coffee shop (Sovetskaya st., 2A), the Limpopo canteen (Sovetskaya st., 13), the Izbushka "(Lenin st., 95) and the Minutka canteen (Tekstilshchikov avenue, 9/18).
Church of the Monk Alexis, the man of God
It is convenient to travel around the city on your own, since public transport (trolleybuses, buses and minibuses) is quite developed, and it is not difficult to get to any corner, especially on the right bank of the Volga. Taking a map and guidebooks as assistants, it will not be difficult to find any attraction in the city.
However, if you do not want to do it yourself, in Kostroma you can always find a lot of offers from travel companies. And with the help of them, visit places of interest during organized excursions.
Holidays with children in Kostroma
In the museum of folk crafts "Petrovskaya toy"
The Volga city has long been popular with tourists vacationing with children. And of course, most families come to Kostroma to visit the fabulous Snow Maiden. Moreover, the residence of the granddaughter of Santa Claus is a beautiful spacious tower that welcomes guests all year round. There are very interesting theatrical and game programs for children. In addition to the house where Snegurochka lives, it is worth visiting her museum with children. Here, the guides tell interesting stories about folk customs and ancient rituals of local residents. In addition, in this museum, it is allowed to touch all the exhibits with your hands, so the children will definitely like it.
With children 5-6 years old and younger schoolchildren, you can visit the Museum of Flax and Birch Bark, the Museum of Nature of the Kostroma Region, as well as the Museum of Folk Crafts "Petrovskaya Toy". And older children will not be left indifferent by the firefighting museum, the open-air museum of wooden architecture "Kostromskaya Sloboda" and the theater costume museum. All these Kostroma museums are famous for entertaining interactive programs and master classes, where children can learn how to make crafts from birch bark, embroider and make toys on their own.
Terem of the Snow Maiden
Kostroma offers many other entertainment for children. The city has its own zoo, puppet theater and circus. Babies are always welcome in the Na Nikitskaya Culture and Leisure Park and in the play areas of large shopping and entertainment centers (Rio, Collage and Panovo). And you can relax and have a snack with children in the cafe Limpopo, Visiting the Fairy Tale or the Pinocchio pizzeria.
How to get to Kostroma
By car. The federal highway M8, connecting Moscow and Arkhangelsk, leads to Kostroma. From the capital to the city - 346 km, and this road takes 4.5-5 hours.
Museum of Wooden Architecture "Kostromskaya Sloboda" from a bird's eye view
On your own by train and bus. From the Yaroslavsky railway station in Moscow to Kostroma, trains reach in 6.04-6.35 hours. In addition, the Volga city can be reached by regular buses (7 trips a day). From the Central Bus Station of the capital, located near the Shchelkovskaya metro station, they reach Kostroma in about 7-8 hours. The city bus station of Kostroma is 1 km away from the railway station.
