Kostroma is an old Russian city founded in the 12th century. It is located 300 kilometers northeast of Moscow, on the banks of the Volga Gorky reservoir. The city got its name from the Volga tributary of the Kostroma river, the mouth of which was later blocked by a dam and also turned into a reservoir. Kostroma is home to about 270 thousand inhabitants. What is this city famous for?
Interesting facts from the history of Kostroma
The first written mention of Kostroma dates back to 1213. The city repeatedly passed from hand to hand during the princely feuds, and also suffered during the Mongol-Tatar invasion. In 1246, the restored Kostroma became the capital of the appanage principality. A little over a hundred years later, in 1364, Kostroma became part of the Grand Duchy of Moscow.
Due to the need for more reliable protection from enemies at the beginning of the 15th century, new city fortifications were built on a high hill. This is how the powerful Kostroma Kremlin arose, in the center of which the first stone building of Kostroma was subsequently erected - the majestic Assumption Cathedral.
Subsequently, the cathedral was renewed several times. Unfortunately, this beautiful historical and architectural monument was destroyed in the early 30s of the last century, along with other structures of the Kostroma Kremlin.
During the Time of Troubles, the city was twice captured and plundered by detachments of Polish invaders. In 1609, the inhabitants of Kostroma and its environs helped the troops of Tsar Vasily Shuisky to expel the supporters of False Dmitry II from the nearby Holy Trinity Ipatiev Monastery. It was in this monastery that Mikhail Romanov (the future tsar) and his mother, the nun Martha, lived since the fall of 1612. The messengers of the Zemsky Sobor arrived here to inform Michael about his election to the kingdom.
After the October Revolution of 1917, mass construction of light industry enterprises began in the city. In particular, a large linen factory was built. Alas, the destruction of historical and architectural monuments of the previous era took place at the same time.
The stones and bricks of the destroyed Kostroma Kremlin were used in the construction of the aforementioned linen factory.
In the summer of 1944, Kostroma became the administrative center of the created Kostroma region.
Attractions of Kostroma
When visiting Kostroma, guests of the city can visit the Holy Trinity Ipatiev Monastery, the Romanov Museum, which presents a rich exposition of photographs dating back to the last period of the Romanov dynasty, the most beautiful Church of the Ascension on Debra, built in the 17th century, the historical building of Torgovy Ryad, the building of the Fire Tower - an outstanding architectural monument of the 19th century (classicism style). The unique Flax and Birch Bark Museum is also worth a visit.
