Thanks to the tale of A. N. Ostrovsky, a small city on the Volga began to be called the birthplace of the Snow Maiden. We tell you about the famous and non-trivial sights of Kostroma, seeing which, you will easily fall in love with this Volga city!
Kostroma appeared in the XII century at the behest of the founder of Moscow - Yuri Dolgoruky. For a long time, the fortified outpost defended the northeastern borders of Russia.
A cozy town on the Volga is connected not only with Snegurochka. It is known as the cradle of the Romanov dynasty and the birthplace of Ivan Susanin. Falling in love with Kostroma is easy! Admire ancient churches and monasteries, visit the only elk farm in our country, and marvel at the art of Russian carpenters at the Museum of Wooden Architecture.
Susaninskaya square
Start your acquaintance with the sights of Kostroma from the main square of the city! It was founded in the 1780s according to a regular plan, which appeared in Kostroma after the urban planning reforms of Catherine II. The Kostroma people themselves call the old square affectionately - "Skovorodka".
Around the heart of the city there are historical monuments: a guardhouse, a high fire tower, a classic Borshchov mansion and representative public places. There is also a monument to the most famous inhabitant of the Kaluga lands - Ivan Susanin.
Ostrovsky's gazebo
An elegant rotunda on the banks of the Volga River is one of the main attractions of Kostroma and a visiting card of the city. It looks very old, but in fact the stone white gazebo was built in 1956. An excellent view of the Volga valley opens from the slope!
The architectural style of the building is fully consistent with the traditions of the 19th century. Pavilions with columns and a rounded roof were adorned in many noble estates in Russia. Near this monument and on the Volga embankment, scenes were filmed for the famous film "Cruel Romance".
Epiphany Anastasiin Monastery
The current nunnery was founded in the 16th century by the first wife of the Russian Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible. The monastery is active. See the beautiful golden domes of the Epiphany Cathedral and the tall bell tower. If you want to get inside, respect Christian traditions - women should be in a skirt or dress and with their heads covered.
Ipatiev Monastery
The majestic male abode is an iconic landmark of Kostroma. The monastery was founded in the first half of the XIV century and played a significant role in the accession to the throne of the Romanov dynasty. On a clean, well-groomed territory, old buildings have been preserved - a 16th century temple with paintings on the walls, a belfry and the Romanov chambers.
Entrance to the Trinity Cathedral is free. A ticket to the Church Historical and Archaeological Museum costs 150 rubles. The same amount must be paid for photography in the museum.
Fire Tower
The old symbol of the city, about which in 1834 the Russian Tsar Nicholas I said: “Even I don’t have such a thing in St. Petersburg!”. Now, in a tall building on Simanovskogo Street, there is the Firefighting Museum.
The halls contain curious historical exhibits - old photographs of Kostroma streets, a hand pump of the 19th century and a banner that was sewn for the 100th anniversary of the Kostroma fire department. Come and admire the watchtower in the evening, it is very beautifully illuminated!
Museum of flax and birch bark
The Kostroma region is the recognized kingdom of flax. A small private museum tells about the technologies of making products from flax and birch bark. You will see neat baskets, baskets and dishes, linen tablecloths and clothes that were brought here from ethnographic expeditions. The museum shop sells cute flax and birch bark souvenirs. Admission for adults is 100 rubles, and for children - 50 rubles.
Terem of the Snow Maiden
If you come to Kostroma with children, be sure to check out this attraction! The child will be delighted with the interactive program and fun and sociable hosts. A tour of the tower for adults costs 220 rubles, entrance to the Ice Room - 300 rubles. Tickets for children cost 150 rubles. Terem is located in the very center of the city, in the courtyard of the Snegurochka hotel.
Red rows
Look at the old shopping arcade in the very center of Kostroma. The picturesque complex was built in the 19th century and is still used for its intended purpose.
Here they sell cheese, pasties, beautiful linen products, clothes and shoes. Most shops and shops are open until 18:00. Come to drink freshly brewed coffee and buy Kostroma souvenirs! Before entering the ranks, next to the wonderful Church of the Savior, you can walk along the cobblestones.
Cheese exchange
If you want to enjoy the taste of fresh cheese, take a look at Pavilion No. 53 of the Big Flour Rows. The first cheese dairy appeared here at the end of the 19th century, and soon Kostroma was called the cheese capital of Russia. Today there are 11 large cheese-making factories in the region. The Cheese Exchange is an exhibition-fair where you can taste and buy delicious Kostroma cheeses.
Church of the Resurrection on Debra
The history of the construction of the church is very unusual. Kostroma merchant Kirill Isakov traded paint with the British. Once in a barrel of goods, he found gold. This money was used to build a beautiful village church.
The bright, elegant church of the 17th century is a place that lovers of Russian architecture like in Kostroma. The temple is decorated with intricate brick patterns and looks very festive inside and out. The entrance to the church is free.
Guardhouse
This picturesque building with columns is one of the ancient sights of Kostroma. The city guardhouse appeared on the central square of the city in 1826. In a magnificent classical building, not ordinary soldiers were serving their sentences, but only officers-nobles.
Today, a military museum is open inside the guardhouse, where ancient weapons, personal belongings of participants in battles and maps of military campaigns are exhibited. An adult ticket costs 250 rubles.
Museum of Wooden Architecture
The open-air exposition is located on the banks of the Igumenka River, next to the famous Ipatiev Monastery. All buildings fit perfectly into the local landscape and captivate with their simplicity and soulfulness.
In the historic village, you can not only enjoy the views, but also learn about ancient construction, the life of different classes, shoot a real bow and easily pet local cats. The entrance to the museum costs 150 rubles for adults.
Borshchov House
The luxurious classic mansion is more like a palace. The house of Senator and Lieutenant General Sergei Borshchov appeared in Kostroma in the first half of the 19th century. A representative facade with austere columns and a portico played a significant role in the development of the city and became a real decoration of the central square of Kostroma. Now the Kostroma court is sitting in the old mansion.
Romanov Museum
In 1913, when all of Russia celebrated three centuries of the Romanov dynasty, a special museum was opened in Kostroma. The picturesque palace building in the Russian style is one of the most beautiful sights of Kostroma.
Visit the halls of the museum and learn about the history and traditions of the royal family, the Time of Troubles, the Godunov family, the life of the Kostroma boyars and nobles! A ticket to the permanent exhibition "Three Centuries of Art" costs 120 rubles, and to the exhibition "Kostroma Boyars" - 80 rubles.
Museum of folk crafts "Petrovskaya toy"
On Erokhova Street there is an interesting museum, in a small hall of which thousands of toys made of dark clay are collected. A very homely and warm collection!
Together with the excursion, a fun master class on modeling clay whistles is held for visitors. Admission for adults costs 100 rubles, and for children over 5 years old - 50 rubles.
An interesting attraction for children in Kostroma is dedicated to forest dwellers and fairy tales about the forest.The beautiful and interesting museum occupies two floors and pleases with unusual compositions and friendly guides.
During the master classes, visitors of all ages are taught how to make beetles from willow twigs. Nice, soulful and informative! A ticket for adults costs 150 rubles, for children - 100 rubles, and a tour - 200 rubles.
Memorial to those killed during the war
An impressive monument to those who gave their lives during the Great Patriotic War is located on Peace Square. The sculptural group on a granite pedestal is surrounded by sprawling green fir trees. The memorial is dedicated to thousands of Kostroma residents who did not return home during the war.
Zoo
Not every city can boast of its own zoo. If you are tired of architectural monuments, admire the animals. The zoo in the western part of the Berendeyevka park was established in 2010 and today contains 35 species of animals and birds. A ticket for adults costs 200 rubles, and for children - 100 rubles. Children under 3 years old are allowed to enter the zoo free of charge.
Planetarium
One of the places where it is interesting to go in Kostroma with children is on Gornaya Street. The Kostroma Planetarium offers over 100 audiovisual programs in astronomy, physics, cosmonautics and geography. Everything so that visitors can learn more about the world around them. A ticket for the full-domed program costs 150 rubles.
Elk farm
In the vicinity of Kostroma, we advise you to see a unique farm with domesticated elk. It is located in the village of Sumarokovo, 20 km from the city. The sanctuary for the domestication of wild animals was established in 1963. Tourists are shown moose in their natural habitat, allowed to stroke and feed large animals. Come to the farm from May to September and you will be treated to delicious and nutritious moose milk! A ticket with a guided tour costs 150 rubles.
Unusual sights in Kostroma
Monument to the dog... A nice monument on the Susaninskaya square of Kostroma, which all tourists come to see. A piggy bank is visible near the paws of Bobka's dog. Put a coin in the slot, and your money will go to the maintenance of the Kostroma animal shelters!
Prime Meridian... The historic center of the city has a radial semi-circular layout. From the sign of the prime meridian on Susaninskaya square, Kostroma streets diverge towards the sides, like the rays of the sun.
Memorial stone at the site of the city's founding... A massive stone in honor of the foundation of Kostroma stands at the intersection of Ostrovskaya and Pyatnitskaya streets.
Obelisk of the Moscow Outpost... Two quadrangular obelisks greet everyone who comes to Kostroma from the Volga. The main entrance to the city was designed in 1823 according to the project of the provincial architect P.I.Fursov.
Monument to Yuri Dolgoruky... An expressive monument to the founder of Moscow and Kostroma stands on Voskresenskaya Street. The monument is 4.5 m high and weighs 4 tons.
Museum of Nature of the Kostroma Region... The two-story mansion contains exhibits that tell about the animals and plants of the region. A full ticket costs 150 rubles, and a reduced ticket costs 100 rubles.
Museum "Fairy Land of the Snow Maiden"... Not every city has a museum dedicated to the heroine of a fairy tale, but in Kostroma - please! The entrance ticket costs 70 rubles.
Museum of theatrical costume... The museum halls display colorful costumes for performances for adults and children, which were used by the actors of the Kostroma Drama Theater. Admission for adults - 100 rubles, for children under 16 years old - free.
Monument to A. Ostrovsky... Go to Prospekt Mira and take a photo in front of the monument to the author of your favorite fairy tale about the Snow Maiden!
Arboretum... A wonderful oasis of wildlife occupies 30 hectares. Take a walk in the picturesque park and admire the conifers, holly maples and pedunculate oaks.
What to see in Kostroma in 1 day
- Museum of Wooden Architecture
- Ipatiev Monastery
- Shopping arcade
- Susaninskaya square
- Ostrovsky's gazebo
- Terem of the Snow Maiden
- Museum of flax and birch bark
- Zoo.
What to see in Kostroma in 2 days
Attractions that are listed above, plus:
- Epiphany Anastasiin Monastery
- Romanov Museum
- Cheese exchange
- Museum "Forest Wonder"
- Church of the Resurrection on Debra
- Museum of folk crafts "Petrovskaya toy"
- Arboretum
- Planetarium.
