Kostroma is an old merchant city. Here there was an intensive trade in a variety of goods: after all, Kostroma stood on the Volga, a large and full-flowing river in Russia. The city is the patrimony of the Romanov boyars. Even during serfdom, local peasants were considered sovereign people. Cultural life flourished here.
Terem Snegurochka
Today, any student can easily answer the question of where the Snow Maiden was born. Of course, in Kostroma. More precisely, in the Shchelykovo estate. It was here that the Russian playwright Ostrovsky described the love story of a Slavic goddess and an earthly youth. The modern Snow Maiden welcomes guests all year round. In her terem, Domovoy and his wife Domovikha maintain order.
The not evil cat Bayun guards the territory. The same fairy-tale characters, together with the hostess, conduct excursions and organize festive events. In the tower, time flies by unnoticed. Guests participate in folk amusements, sing songs. And what a Maslenitsa at the Snow Maiden! You will remember not only delicious pancakes, but also traditional attractions. And during Ivan Kupala, visitors will feel the magical spirit of the July night.
Unusual Ice Room. In it you can take pictures with ice fairy-tale characters, taste drinks. Children willingly try a snow cocktail, and adults try something stronger, poured into glasses of ice.
Kostroma Sloboda
The architectural reserve is the oldest in Russia. Buildings in the Kostroma province were traditionally built of wood. And the famous technology of connecting parts without a single nail was used here as well as in Kizhi. The builders carefully chose the material, so the huts, baths, barns, chapels and churches are perfectly preserved. It is not surprising that local historians of the Kostroma land had an idea: to combine all this in one place. This is how the ethnographic and architectural center appeared.
Each county had its own building traditions: artel workers carefully kept their secrets and did not give out to competitors. But now we can enjoy the view of different buildings. No wonder they say: every village has its own custom. Each building is filled with items of peasant life. Here you can see spinning wheels, kitchen and table utensils, potter's wheels. And chapels and rural churches contain church utensils.
But most importantly – entertaining stories that guides will tell. The workers of the reserve will acquaint guests with the traditions of Russian wooden architecture, with what other natural materials were used in the old days. Celebrations are also held on the territory of the center.
Historical, architectural and art museum-reserve
The first museums in the city appeared at the end of the 19th century. At first it was a place where artifacts were collected and stored, access of citizens to storage units was prohibited.
The exhibits came in 2 ways:
Over time, a significant collection has accumulated, and the question arose of where to store it and exhibit it for inspection. Only in 1891, premises were obtained in the building of the Nobility Assembly on Pavlovskaya Street.
Today the center consists of:
In addition to permanent exhibitions, the administration of the center organizes thematic ones.
Museum “Provincial City of Kostroma”
The main occupation of Kostroma before the October Revolution was trade. Therefore, the exposition is located in the pavilion of the Trade Rows. These shops were built in the 19th century. Here the merchants of the city exhibited samples of goods, made deals. The interiors of the center are original. Visitors will see old brickwork, vaulted high ceilings, thick walls. The halls are located one behind the other: this is typical for trade in small goods. But today the guests will get acquainted not with product samples, but with how things were done in the city as a whole.
Separate stands are dedicated to:
The organizers of the center decided to acquaint visitors with the history of churches and the bell foundry founded by Serapion Zabenkin. Guests are happy to stop at a showcase with bells, which were hung on arcs for a fun ride. Collections of antique glass and tableware are also exhibited. But there is another interesting room. It exhibits the works of contemporary artisans and artists of the city. Products can be purchased, and then in a local cafe you can try a wonderful drink from a barista.
Museum of the History of the Kostroma Territory
A great place for those who want to get acquainted with the Kostroma region. Here are sections from the first settlers and land colonization to our time. Separately organized exposition dedicated to the Romanovs and Godunovs. The tour starts from the hall where the finds describing the life of the first inhabitants of the region are exhibited. Artifacts found on the island of Vezha. And then the guests go to the stands of the Romanovs and Godunovs.
Here are the genealogical tree of the lateral branches of the Rurik family, priceless documents, photographs of the last members of the family. An important stage in the life of the province is the October Revolution. The hall shows maps of counties and volosts. In order to avoid peasant unrest, the lands of the environs of Kostroma were united with the territories of the Nizhny Novgorod province.
The exposition contains household items of the nobility. Artifacts from the estate of Tropinin, Burygin were transferred here. The collection is constantly updated. Negotiations are underway on the transfer of paintings from the personal collection of Valery Babkin. But the permanent exhibition is not the only thing that attracts the center. It hosts thematic exhibitions, lectures, interactive compositions, meetings with interesting people. Employees and administration make sure that guests come here again and again.
Romanov Museum
The center is small, so it will take a little time to explore. And you should start by studying the building. It looks like a white tower or a gingerbread house, but it was built specifically for the anniversary of the 300th anniversary of the house of the last Russian emperors. The provincial town was often visited by members of the imperial family. Catherine the Great, Pavel Petrovich, Alexander 1, Alexander 2, Alexander 3, Nicholas 1 visited here. Sovereign Nikolai Alexandrovich and his family came to the opening.
The first exhibits were presented by the State Archival Commission of the city. But a significant part of the exhibition was devoted to the history of the house. That is why the center got its name. The 300th anniversary was celebrated on a large scale in the city and province: a pedagogical institute and a hospital were additionally built. Therefore, the ensemble was called the cradle of the Romanov dynasty. For the construction of the ensemble, wealthy citizens collected money by subscription, and the project was additionally financed from the state treasury.
Hauptvahta
The building was actively used from the middle of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. There was a guardhouse and a room for the military serving their sentences (the guardhouse itself).
According to the reviews of the townspeople of that time, the conditions of service were unimportant:
During the reaction of 1909-1911, forbidden literature was found in the premises of the lower ranks. But the investigation led to nothing. In front of the building there was an asphalt platform where a sentry served. And the townspeople were forced to bypass it through mud and potholes. Before the festive events dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty, a sidewalk was laid around.
Kostromichi appealed to the council to close the guardhouse and place a public library in the premises. But the request was rejected. In Soviet times, the building was given over to the children's library, registry office, departments of museums. And today, tourists admire the amazing building, which is part of the architectural ensemble of the historical center of the city, for a long time. In the guardhouse itself there is a military-historical exposition.
Nobility Assembly
The exhibition attracts those tourists who are interested in the life of local nobles. It received its first visitors in the 90s of the 19th century.
Today you can find out about:
But thematic events are also held in the Nobility Assembly. For the annual New Year's ball, invitation cards are distributed well in advance of the event. Exhibitions are organized dedicated to families whose lives are connected with the Kostroma land. For this, documents from personal archives are used. Theatrical performances, meetings with famous Kostroma residents are often arranged. Parents and adults actively attend master classes of local artisans.
Trading rows
The architectural complex was rebuilt at the beginning of the 19th century. Earlier in this part of the city there was a lower settlement. The buildings were wooden, so a big fire at the end of the 18th century almost completely destroyed them. The city authorities decided to build shopping arcades. Each line included shops selling the same product. The fishmongers sold fish. By the way, there were also live-fish rows. Citizens came here for live river fish.
Over the years, the rows were rebuilt many times: some buildings were dismantled to use brick for city needs. But the fish were lucky: they survived almost intact. And today guests are happy to see the building of late classicism. Inside you can see the original masonry, the ceilings divide a single room into rooms, in which the shops were located.
Each section had a basement for storing goods and a second floor for office supplies. Visitors were served on the first floor. Today, an art gallery is located in the Fish Rows. Here are paintings by contemporary artists. There are also art studios for people of different ages, master classes are organized.
Fire Tower
The city was built from the most affordable local material – wood. Unfortunately, the distance between the buildings was negligible, so the city often burned. And it was not at all uncommon for entire districts to burn to the ground. In 1825, Governor Baumgarten ordered the construction of a stone tower to replace the fire towers that regularly burned down. The project was developed by the talented architect Fursov. He decided to create a unified style for Susaninskaya Square. The building was visible from any part of the city. Residents from all parts of the city came to admire the patterned building.
The tower included:
There was a sentry on duty around the clock. And balloons served as a signal: red was released if the center was on fire, blue – the outskirts. At night, the balloons were replaced with white and red lanterns. In addition, a sound signal was given: a bell rang. Today, tourists can not only see the wonderful building from the outside: inside there is an interesting firefighting museum. The tower is included in the UNESCO heritage list.
Museum “Wizard Forest”
This is a modern exposition, the creator of which set a goal: to teach adults and children to take care of the main gift – the forest. A manor was built on the bank of the river to receive guests. It is surrounded by a living fence of hops, which beautifully braids the hedge. In summer, the logs are almost invisible under dense foliage. And Natalya Zabavina turned the yard into a forest area. All plants characteristic of the region are planted here. And under tall firs and birches, guests are greeted by sculptures made of wood, branches, vines and roots.
Here you can get acquainted with the goblin who protect the forest and its inhabitants. Tourists get to know the forest from an unusual side: it is a healer, a protector, a source of life not only for animals, but also for humans. Additionally, guests are invited to participate in master classes organized by local artisans. You can learn to weave from a vine, cut wood, paint products.
Jewelery Museum
The first jewelry items were made here before our era. This is evidenced by the finds of archaeologists. And the formation of the fishery took place in the 14-16 centuries. At this time, dynasties of jewelers were formed in the villages. The flourishing of jewelry came at the end of the 19th-beginning of the 20th century. At this time, the products of the masters of the village of Krasnoe could be found in peasant huts, merchant houses, royal mansions.
Jewelers decorated temples and monasteries, their works are presented in museums. In Soviet and post-perestroika times, the craft did not die out: jewelry made of gold, silver with traditional filigree was willingly purchased not only by ordinary citizens, but also by those in power. Therefore, the idea to create an exposition dedicated to the original Kostroma craft was in the air.
Not only jewelers participated in the organization. It was necessary to attract scientists, archaeologists, artists. And the building was chosen unique: a monument of architecture of the 19th century, located in the historical center. Coming here, guests will get acquainted with the history of the names of jewelers, see old photographs, documents, samples of works made of gold and silver using traditional techniques.
Museum “Fairytale Land of the Snow Maiden”
Who will tell about the Kostroma land most fully? Of course, her native is the Snow Maiden. The fairy-tale land of the Snow Maiden is located in the center of additional education Origins. The polite Snow Maiden meets tourists at the doorstep and escorts them to her chambers. Her house (as Ostrovsky wrote) is an ordinary peasant hut. But it presents everything that surrounded the farmers. And the hospitable hostess will tell you about the traditions of the peoples who settled here, their way of life and amusements.
The center exhibits both original household items and reconstructed ones. Folk costumes were made especially for the exhibition: dolls from the collection of Margarita Artamonova are dressed in them. You can just look at the folk gallery, or you can book a tour, take part in master classes. Time in the Fairy Land of the Snow Maiden flies by unnoticed.
Museum-estate of Flax and birch bark
Another brainchild of a creative resident of the city, Natalia Zabavina. She came up with the idea to combine in one exhibition what the province has long been famous for: flax and birch bark. In order to accommodate the exhibits, a separate house was built, stylized as a fairy-tale tower. And in the yard they organized a cozy corner with a lawn, a bridge over a stream, a flower garden and a well. Guests do not come to the exhibition, but immediately to a fairy tale.
The exposition occupies several rooms:
- The flax hall presents the entire process of turning raw materials into shirts for peasants. The guide describes all the stages in detail.
- Sculptures of fairy-tale heroes are exhibited in the birch bark hall. The kids hang around them for a long time. It is impossible to believe that not only the usual baskets and tuesas, but also pistons were made from ordinary birch bark.
- Hall for master classes. It is decorated with works of local craftsmen: canvases, tablecloths, napkins, biscuits, bread bins.
- Hall where you can buy souvenirs.
Surprisingly: the presented sundresses made of linen are fashionable and wear well, and birch bark napkin holders organically complement the interior of the dining room.
Museum of Nature of the Kostroma Region
The exposition consists of almost 3500 items. And it is located in the historical center, the building of the former Sobriety Society and the commercial exchange.
Organized several permanent exhibitions:
- In the Spring pavilion, guests will see dioramas depicting the current of black grouse, the games of capercaillie. The shore of the forest lake with its inhabitants has been reconstructed. But the most popular exhibit is the bear.
- In the Zima hall, it is shown how the inhabitants of the forests hide from the weather, looking for food. Center of the exhibition: a diorama showing a pack of wolves hunting an elk.
- Guests are interested in a stand with a description of the animal and plant world. The decoration of the exposition is the collection of the entomologist Rubinsky.
- Paleontological finds are exhibited in the Stone Chronicle of Kostroma region hall. They were found at different times in the region. The theme of the mysterious Mesozoic is presented separately.
- Interesting exhibition Food underfoot. Guests unexpectedly learn that ordinary weeds can serve as a complete source of vitamins and nutrients.
There is a petting zoo. Here you can watch the smaller brothers, loaded on Noah's ark. There are separate themed events.
Museum of unique dolls and toys
This is a small private exhibition: it occupies only 3 rooms. It was organized by Nadezhda Sheiko. Nadezhda has been collecting toys for 30 years. The core of the exposition is Soviet toys. Once they were produced in abundance by the light industry of the USSR.
Presented here:
The toys are in excellent condition, but their outfits have been reconstructed. But some dolls made in the 19th century have original dresses. This is an ideal place for those who are looking for a meeting with a childhood long gone.
House of Malyshev M. M.
The Malyshev House is interesting, first of all, for the personality of its owner. In 1915, a peasant living in the village of Dvorishchi received the personal title of honorary citizen of the city. The house was purchased by him long before this event: in 1901. At first, the acquired building was a tenement house, and then it became a shelter for the Consumer Society. Today, the organizers of the center have done everything to make the guests feel the spirit of the recent past when they come here.
Shown here:
Those who wish can attend a master class on embroidery. And small companies can stay here. The owners of the center own a small guest house Apple Garden. The hotel is designed for a group of up to 8 people.
Bread Museum
The exhibition is located in Bolshie Flour Rows. First, the ecological bakery Zerna settled here. Residents and guests of the city fell in love with its products, so the organizers decided to create a museum of bread. Visitors actively participate in the tour. Competent presenters talk about local baking traditions, show dough samples, explain how to properly germinate grain to get bread enriched with vitamins.
The culmination of the visit to the center is a tasting of the products produced by the bakery. It is served with treats from the hosts: honey, jam, tea, sunflower oil, sbiten, herbs, fruit drink and even Thursday salt. Guests also participate in unusual master classes. It is proposed to make a doll-amulet Zernovushka, mold a figurine from salt dough, paint a gingerbread. Time in these classes flies by quickly.
cheese museum
Kostroma is the capital of cheese. A unique breed of dairy cows originated here, so the products are of high quality. And the cheese exhibition is so popular that it is recommended to book a tour 2-2.5 weeks in advance. The story is extremely captivating for adult visitors. The kids are frankly bored. They are a little entertained by rolling out a cheese head, milking a cow (plastic, of course). But the tasting delights everyone.
Enthusiastic sommeliers not only explain how milk is fermented for cheese and how it ripens, but they also advise you to use the delicate product correctly. After the tour and tasting, guests go to the cheese shop. Here, all the cheeses produced in the city are cut into small sticks and placed in vacuum packaging. It is convenient: you can purchase several types of products. But the prices are slightly higher than on the cheese exchange.
Museum of theatrical costume
Over the years of its activity, the drama theater has accumulated enough costumes. Many of them are unique: they are made from fabrics that are not currently made. Thanks to the efforts of costumers and restorers, the outfits are in excellent condition. The center began its work with a small exhibition organized by the theater administration. The interest of the townspeople in it was enormous: it became clear that a permanent exhibition was required. The first visitors appreciated the collection in 2005. Among them was V.V. Putin. But it was inconvenient to inspect the collection: it was dispersed on all floors of the theater.
Therefore, in 2010, the city authorities allocated a building in the historical center of the city for a permanent exhibition. The building itself is amazing: the organizer of the drama theater Fyodor Volkov was born in it. Today, the exposition occupies 7 rooms, where more than 100 costumes are presented. Guests can see the outfits on their own or with a guide, take pictures in amazing dresses. For children, interactive activities are held by appointment.
Museum of the Kostroma merchant
The organizers of the exhibition fulfilled their task perfectly: they completely recreated the merchant's life. The exposition occupies several sites:
- In the malls there are samples of goods that the city was famous for. But what about without commercial equipment? And it is presented here! In ancient times, there was no unified system of measures and weights. Therefore, for fair trade, accurate scales with weights (weights) were required. Guests will see equal-arm and multi-arm scales, scales with a mobile weight.
- And how did the merchants deliver the goods to the place of sale? Of course, with the help of cargo sledges and carts. At the sleigh yard, visitors will see passenger and cargo horse-drawn transport of bygone days. Elements of horse harness are presented.
- After a busy day of work, the merchants came home. And here hospitable housewives were waiting for them with pies baked in a Russian oven. On this site, a hospitable hostess will tell visitors about the significance of the stove in the life of merchants of the 19th century.
And the final part of the tour will be a traditional Russian tea party with pies from the oven.
House of the mayor G. N. Botnikov
Gennady Botnikov held a high position for 14 years. During this time, the first telephone line appeared in the city, a public library, a house of labor, schools for city children were opened. A wealthy Kostroma built a mansion for himself in the center, the total area of u200bu200bthe premises of which exceeded 350 square meters. Muscovite Nikolai Kuzovlev decided to restore the building and turn it into a museum. The house was re-plastered and the interiors were updated while maintaining the original concept.
Household items, furniture are not original, but antique. Everything is very good and worthy. It is noteworthy that the administration of the complex does not prohibit touching the exhibits. In the richly decorated dining room, a table set for tea awaits guests. Here visitors will not only hear a story about the life and work of Botnikov, but also learn secular news and fresh (a hundred years ago) gossip. And in addition, you can order one of the entertainments that the city was famous for a century ago. This is an interactive divination.
Museum “Peter's Toy”
Petrovsky toy (ocarina) is a national treasure of the region, an ancient musical instrument. It is easily recognizable by its brown-green color. It is not surprising that they decided to perpetuate the ocarina in the Kostroma land.
The exhibition occupies 3 halls:
- Dedicated to the ocarina itself. Here, the craftsmen will tell you how a whistle was made from local clay, how it was given a sound in a certain tone, how it was decorated with a characteristic ornament.
- Dedicated to other folk toy crafts. In it, guests will get acquainted with toys from Dymkovo, Filimonov, Skopin, Kargopol. These villages developed their own traditions of making figurines from clay.
- Masterclass room. Here guests get experience working on a potter's wheel. If desired, they will make a toy, ocarina, jug, plate or cup. After hardening and firing, the item can be taken with you and used at home.
There is a souvenir shop where visitors can buy products of local potters.
Museum of Gypsy Culture and Life
This place should definitely be visited by lovers of ethnography: after all, such a center is the only one in Russia. Gypsies are a diverse people. Its representatives are scattered all over the world. Wherever the gypsies appeared, they immediately absorbed the local customs. That is why the traditions of the people are intertwined with Slavic traditions. Russians believe that the Valenka song, performed by Lidia Ruslanova, was composed by the people. Undoubtedly, but how exactly? Gypsies claim that this is an old tabor dance hall.
And the gypsy Nastya Polyakova sang it first. And how is the wedding in the tabor? So that it turned out to be richer than the neighbor. Sometimes more than 300 people walk. And everyone needs to be met and treated with dignity. The exposition of the center tells about all this. And the famous gypsies are also presented separately: Nikolai Slichenko, Lyalya Chernaya, Lyalya Zhemchuzhnaya and even Charlie Chaplin. Visitors will not only listen to an amazing tour, but also sing along with the guitar along with Russian Roma.
Teapot Museum
This is the warmest exposition, both literally and figuratively. Here, the organizers will talk about the traditions of Russian tea drinking and the history of the appearance of the teapot, in which the fragrant drink was brewed so appetizingly. Visitors will learn that such a simple and well-known kitchen item has its own secrets. And in order not to be unfounded, the hosts will offer guests fresh tea with local sweets – the famous waffles.