'''Kostroma''' is the big capital city of Kostroma Oblast, and a stop on Russia's Golden Ring circuit. It is a historic city, founded in the 12th century, and served as a sort of northern retreat for the powerful in Muscovy when threatened by southern and western invaders. Kostroma's wealth of art and architecture is owed to the legacy of such retreats. Visitors should not miss the Hypatian Monastery and the historic city center around Susaninskaya ploshchad. Kostroma outside the historic center is grey and industrial and off the itinerary for most tourists.
Get in
There are daily overnight trains to/from Moscow and regular trains and "elektrichki" from Yaroslavl. There are also daily buses to/from Ivanovo, Yaroslavl, and Vladimir through Suzdal.
In the summer, in addition to the expensive cruise boats, a hydrofoil service runs along the Volga River between Kostroma-Yaroslavl (2 hours) and Kostroma-Plyos (1 hour). It costs about 50 RUR for a one-way trip.
'''The service was suppressed (2008)'''
Get around
Bus #13 shuttles between the main square (Susaninskaya ploshchad) and Hypatiev Monastery. Trolleybus #2 runs between the main square and the train station. Public transport should cost you about 8 RUR per ride (as for 2009).
See
The Trading Arcades. long Sovetskaya ul. and Susaninskaya ploshchad. An 18th century trading center, now houses shops and a market
Susaninskaya Ploshchad. The main square is named after Ivan Susanin, a peasant who became a hero after misleading Polish invaders into a swamp, where they all died. The square has several buildings of note, including the '''Fire Tower''', a delightful piece of 19th century architecture and currently a museum, and a '''literature museum''' within a 19th century guard house.
Bogoyavlensky (Epiphany) Monastery. Located one block down Simonovskogo ul., this 14th century monastery houses the 12th century Icon of Fedorovsky Bogomater, which according to legend was found hanging from a tree by a Russian prince. The main cathedral dates back to 1559.
Saint Hypatia Monastery. Prosveshcheniya ul.. 7 0942 57-25-89. 9:00–17:00, services daily at 08:00 and 17:00. 0 RUR. A huge and important monastery (est. 1330), which contains the Museum of Wooden Architecture, the Bogoroditsky Cathedral (est. 1552), and the Spaso-Preobrazhenskaya Church (which was made without a single nail).
Museum of Wooden Architecture. a Prosveshcheniya ul.. 7 0922 39-15-12. 9:00–17:00. dmission included in the Monastery entrance fee. An outdoor architectural museum of wooden churches, houses, and a mill from the Kostroma region.
Do
Buy
Eat
Slavyansky. ocated within the Trading Arcades. 00 RUR. A popular local restaurant serving Russian cuisine
Pizzeria. 9 Sovetskaya ul. 0–70 RUR. A great pizza place within the same building as the Mush Hotel
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Drink
Sleep
Mush Hotel. 9 Sovetskaya ul.. 7 0942 31-24-00. acha@mush.ru. 7 0942 31-10-45. oubles: 1,200–1,500 RUR for 24 hours, 660 RUR for 12 hours (21:00–09:00). A luxury guest-house that will let you use their kitchen and includes free breakfast, the 12 hour stay is a great deal
Korvet Boat-Hotel. 0 Nizhnye Debri ul. 50–400 RUR. Rooms on this boat are clean and functional and this is the cheapest option in the center; doesn't take reservations and you won't need them anyway
Volga Hotel. Yunosheskaya ul.. 7 0942 54-61-63. 00–750 RUR. Located right by the bridge over the Volga River
Stary Dvor. Sovetskaya ul.. 7 0942 31-54-81.
Get out
The next big stops on the Golden Ring circuit are Yaroslavl and Ivanovo.
If weird is what you want, head over to Sumarokovo to see the '''Kostroma Moose Farm''', where the Soviets domesticated the moose!