Founded in the 12th century, this calm Volga River city contains the historic Ipatiev Monastery and traditional Russian churches, drawing visitors to its riverside location.
Kostroma sits 370 kilometers from Moscow along the Volga River, where merchants once traded linen and jewelry. Walk through streets that spread like a fan from the central square, past 18th-century merchant houses and workshops. Inside the white-walled Ipatiev Monastery, you'll see the Trinity Cathedral's gold domes glinting in the sun, while local artisans still craft silver jewelry and weave linen textiles in centuries-old traditions.
Getting to Kostroma
Trains depart daily from Moscow's Yaroslavsky Station to Kostroma (500-1500 rubles, 6-7 hours). Take bus #1 from the railway station to reach the city center 3.5 kilometers away. The central bus station connects to Golden Ring cities: Vladimir (4 hours) and Yaroslavl (2 hours).
Exploring the City Center
Catherine the Great approved Kostroma's distinctive fan-shaped street plan in the 1780s, with roads radiating from the Volga embankment. The 35-meter Fire Tower dominates Susaninskaya Square, surrounded by merchant architecture from the 1780s-1850s. Look for the yellow former guardhouse and the distinctive red brick military barracks that line the square.
The Ipatiev Monastery Complex
Walk across the bridge between the Volga and Kostroma rivers to reach the Ipatiev Monastery, established in 1330. The Trinity Cathedral (open 9:00-17:00) displays intricate frescoes from 1650-1652. This monastery became central to Russian history in 1613 when Mikhail Romanov accepted the crown here, beginning three centuries of Romanov rule.
Local Crafts and Shopping
Visit jewelry workshops in Gostiny Dvor to watch craftsmen create silver pieces using traditional techniques. The central market sells Kostroma linen tablecloths and towels, woven on local looms. Sample the city's signature cheese, a mild variety similar to Gouda, at specialty food shops along Sovetskaya Street.
Museums and Cultural Sites
The Museum of Wooden Architecture (open 10:00-18:00, 200 rubles) displays regional buildings including a 1700s wooden church from the Kostroma region. The Romanovsky Museum occupies a red brick building styled after traditional Russian architecture, with rooms dedicated to the Romanov family's connection to Kostroma.
Where to Stay and Eat
Book rooms at Hotel Volga (3000-5000 rubles) or Hostel Center (1000 rubles) near Gostiny Dvor. Izbushka restaurant serves Russian classics: try their borshch with local beets (250 rubles), meat-filled solyanka soup (300 rubles), and vareniki dumplings (200 rubles). The kitchen prepares Volga perch according to local recipes passed down through generations.
