Kolomna is an ancient city in the Moscow region. Many Russians do not even know how many historical monuments there are. It will take more than one day to see the sights of Kolomna. The city has hotels and guest houses where you can stay. But even if you came to Kolomna for a few hours, you can still try to see the most interesting.

Kolomna Kremlin

The Kolomna Kremlin is an architectural ensemble dating back to the 16th century. Previously, in its place was a wooden Kremlin, which performed a defensive function. At that time, the Moscow principality was forced to defend its borders from the Crimean Tatars.

Buildings made of wood were easy to burn, and they could not resist the assault of enemies for a long time. Under Basil the Third, in 1525, the construction of stone walls began. It lasted for about 6 years. In total, 16 towers were erected, and the walls had a height of more than 20 m.

When the uprising of the peasants led by Ivan Bolotnikov began at the beginning of the 17th century, the rebels could not take the stone Kremlin by storm. Later, the borders of Russia moved south, Kolomna no longer needed a defensive structure – the walls and towers began to be dismantled into bricks: stone buildings were being built in the city.

Nowadays, 7 towers and the walls of the Kremlin, the thickness of which exceeds 4 m, have been preserved. The architectural complex has Italian features, which were given to it by the architect Aleviz Fryazin. On the territory of the Kremlin there are Orthodox churches and 2 nunneries – Novogolutvinsky and Uspensky.

Cathedral Square

The main street of the Kolomna Kremlin leads to Cathedral Square. Active construction began here in the 14th century. Coming out onto the square, you can see the temple of St. Nicholas Gostiny, the Assumption Cathedral, erected in honor of the victory on the Kulikovo field (the Don icon of the Mother of God is kept in the cathedral). Nearby are the bell tower of the 17th century and the temple in honor of the Tikhvin icon of the Mother of God.

More than 8 dozen nuns live in the Novogolutvinsky Monastery, also located here, from Russia and other countries. The Church of the Resurrection of the Word also overlooks the Cathedral Square. In the more modest Resurrection Church, which once stood on this site, Dmitry Donskoy himself married Evdokia of Suzdal. In 2007, a monument to Cyril and Methodius, the creators of the Slavic alphabet, appeared on Cathedral Square.

Kolomna Tower

Another name for this tower is more common – “Marinkina”. The legendary Polish adventurer Marina Mnishek was imprisoned here in the last period of her life. The tower was built in the middle of the 16th century on the western side of the Kremlin. It has 20 faces, its height is 31 m, and its diameter is about 11 m. There are loopholes on the 7th floors of the tower, and two-horned battlements on the 8th.

Marina Mnishek, who first became the wife of False Dmitry the First, and then recognized False Dmitry II as her husband, was crowned as a Russian tsarina. She aroused a feeling of hatred among the people, since she actually gave Kolomna to the Polish invaders who plundered the city.

After the death of False Dmitry II, Mnishek claimed the throne on behalf of her young son. But the son was executed, and Marina was imprisoned in the tower, where she died in 1614. According to legend, the woman turned into a magpie and left the tower. However, the treasures hidden by her are still kept here.

Pyatnitsky Gate

These gates represent the main entrance to the Kremlin. From here the construction of towers and protective walls once began. The Pyatnitsky Gate Tower has 2 tiers. Before its height reached 35 m, now it is 6 meters lower. The tower is 23 meters long and 13 meters wide.

It was on this tower that the “splash bell” hung. When something extraordinary happened, for example, the city was in danger, they sounded the alarm. Under the tower there was a passage through which, if necessary, it was possible to enter the city. It was this way, according to legend, that the Poles broke into here, since Marina Mnishek ordered the servants to raise the protective bars.

Zhitnaya Square adjoined the Pyatnitsky Gates, where there was a brisk trade. A temple was even erected here in honor of St. Paraskeva, the patroness of trade affairs, later it was replaced by a chapel. The passage through the Pyatnitsky Gates resembles a horseshoe (according to legend, a horseshoe brought good luck).

Also on the tower you can see an icon with images of the Trinity, Our Lady of the Don and the heavenly patrons of the ancient city.

Museum Factory of Kolomna Pastila

The museum is located in an old building located next to the Kremlin. There used to be a shop of merchants Surganovs, where they sold sweets. And today, coming to the museum, you can feel the unique atmosphere of the 19th century. Here you can learn a lot about the history of pastila making, its various recipes, see old posters and packaging of a popular delicacy.

Girls-tour guides are dressed in ancient costumes, guests are certainly offered to taste marshmallows. Visitors to the museum inspect kitchen utensils, handmade 19th-century furniture, admire embroideries and knitted napkins.

A factory has been opened at the museum – in the building of the candy and pastille establishment of the merchant Chuprikov. In the 19th century, his products were popular even outside of Russia. After the revolution of 1917, the institution was closed, and for many years no one was able to taste the famous Kolomna marshmallow.

Its production began again only in 2009. We managed to find old recipes and restore the interior of the factory. The museum factory opened in 2011. Today, you can take part in a master class on making the famous delicacy, and buy a box of marshmallows in the company store to take home with you.

Blacksmith settlement

Museum “Kuznechnaya Sloboda” opened in 2010, today it houses about 7,000 exhibits. The tour of the museum lasts about 2 hours, but they fly by unnoticed. Visitors see products made by blacksmiths who lived many centuries ago.

These are the details of the weapons of Russian soldiers – armor, weapons. As well as forged things that have long gone out of use. Skillful craftsmen turned them into real works of art. These are irons, scales, kettles and other household items. In the shop at the museum you can buy souvenirs.

Museum project “Artkommunalka”

The museum is located in a former merchant's mansion on October Revolution Street. Once upon a time, communal apartments were located on the second floor, and the Ogonyok store operated on the first floor. The famous writer Venedikt Erofeev worked there as a loader. The museum opened in 2011, it began with a few exhibits, but the collection was actively replenished by the residents of the city.

Today, here you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a real communal apartment – see things from those times, and even order a performance with the participation of actors. And each performance is unique – it never repeats. The life of the inhabitants of the “communal” unfolds before the audience. In addition, various events are constantly held in the museum.

Monument to the Fighters of Two Revolutions

The monument was solemnly opened in 1958, its architect is N.P. Ponikarov. In 1917, popular unrest took place in Kolomna – not enough bread was brought to the city.

The authorities used weapons against the townspeople, among the dead were a Red Guard, a sailor, a commissar… The bodies were buried near the church of John the Theologian. Later, the ashes of the victims of the punitive expedition of 1905 were transferred here. The area where the grave was located was renamed the Square of Two Revolutions.

At the end of the 30s of the last century, a competition was announced for the design of a monument to the fallen. About a hundred projects were submitted to it, but the monument was erected only in 1958. By this time, the ashes of the high school student Ivan Markov, a participant in the revolution of 1905, had also been transferred to a mass grave.

Faceted Tower

The faceted tower of the Kolomna Kremlin is unique. From the outside, it has 6 faces, and from the inside, the architect gave it the shape of a rectangle. There is no other tower like this in the Kremlin. At the place where the tower stands, the Astrakhan and Vladimir-Kashirsky tracts used to converge.

The height of the building exceeds 20 m, and the loopholes, located in tiers, made it possible for the defenders of the Kremlin to repel the attack of enemies. Later, the Faceted Tower became a chapel, and after the revolution, kerosene trade was opened in it. Only in the 80s of the 20th century the upper tier was restored. Today, the Museum of Old Russian Weapons is open in the Faceted Tower.

Bishops' chambers

Bishops' chambers were built at the end of the 17th century under Archbishop Nikita. There was also a house church in honor of St. Sergius of Raonezh and another church – Trinity.

Local bishops lived here, later seminarians, and then monks. The appearance of the building changed – fires periodically occurred, the structure had to be repaired, reconstructed. So, in the middle of the 18th century, the architect Ivan Michurin compiled a description of the chambers that were damaged by fire and an estimate necessary for their restoration.

According to this document, there were 16 chambers on the second floor, and 14 on the first. In addition, there were vestibules, closets, and a kitchen. The greatest damage was caused to the chambers by another fire, which happened in 1777. Count Sheremetiev supervised the restoration of the building. In the 19th century, a brick church was built here.

Today, the chambers have become a popular attraction in Kolomna, and their inspection is included in many excursions.

Simeonovskaya Tower

The eastern tower of the Kolomna Kremlin is named after the temple dedicated to Simeon the Stylite. It was located in the neighborhood, on Zhitnaya Square, has not been preserved to this day. Simeonovskaya tower is quite high – about 24 m, its width reaches 8 m.

There are 5 floors inside the tower, one of which is underground. And at the top there is a gallery, bordered by high – over 2 m – teeth, which in shape resemble the tail of a bird. And the building is crowned with a hipped roof. Previously, the Kremlin included 4 more such towers, now only 3 have survived.

Museum “Kalachnaya”

After the revolution of 1917, the kalach trade was lost, and it was impossible to taste the fried kalach prepared according to old recipes even in Moscow. But in Kolomna, since ancient times famous for its rolls, they decided to revive the craft.

Museum “Kalachanaya” opened next to the Kolomna Kremlin. It is located in a building built in the middle of the 19th century, and the products are baked in an oven reconstructed according to old drawings. Moreover, the bakers needed to know a lot of all sorts of tricks.

For example, in order for the kalach to turn out to be snow-white inside, it was supposed to use only birch firewood, previously peeled from the bark.

Today, visitors to the museum can observe the whole process: how they make sourdough, put the dough, roll it out, and make rolls. Send them to the oven. Each action is accompanied by a detailed story of the guide. The tour ends, of course, with a tasting.

You can also buy rolls to take with you. The revival of Kolomna Posad began with the Kalachnaya Museum, and the project itself received an award in the Changing Museum in a Changing World competition.

Favorite Toy Museum

Toys are the first friends of every child. Even adults remember well those dolls and animals with which they played in childhood. Therefore, visiting the Museum of a favorite toy causes joy in children and bright nostalgia in their parents, grandparents.

The museum contains toys that have been made over the past century and a half. The museum was opened in 2014 based on the collection of Irina Kulikova. Since then, the number of exhibits has increased significantly. Children do not leave here for a long time, because old toys make a truly bewitching impression.

Irina Kulikova herself is a real craftswoman. She buys toys at auctions and antique shops and restores them with her own hands.

Miniature strollers, horses on which you can swing, your favorite cartoon characters – Carlson, Cheburashka and Gena the crocodile, soldiers and doll dishes – here the world of childhood comes to life. For those who wish, by prior arrangement, the hostess of the museum will hold a master class on making toys.

Estate of merchants Lazhechnikovs

Ivan Lazhechnikov is the author of historical novels, one of which, The Ice House, brought him all-Russian fame. The Lazhechnikov family itself gave gifted merchants to the fatherland. In the middle of the 18th century, the family decided to build a manor in the center of Kolomna, reminiscent of a rich country house.

And be sure to surround it with a green park. The estate was raised. Over time, the house was somewhat rebuilt, expanded, and lived happily here. But after the revolution, the mansion, of course, was nationalized. Only in the 80s of the 20th century museum funds were placed here.

Today, museum guests can plunge into the life of ancient Kolomna. See how the peasants lived in a Russian hut, try weights on weights, admire the elegant embroidered clothes that the girls prepared for their dowry, look into the pantry with rich supplies.

There are halls in the estate, when visiting which one gets the impression that the Lazhechnikovs still live here – they just went out for a minute. Also in the museum you can watch the silent film “Ice House” and drink tea with marshmallow.

Museum “House of the Samovar”

The Samovar House Museum is located next to the Museum of Kolomna Pastila, so it will be convenient to visit them on the same day. The basis of the exposition was the collection of the Burov family. Guests will see a variety of exhibits. Samovars from Asia – oddly enough, but it was there that they were invented, and then appeared in Russia.

Samovars are huge and very small – for one cup of boiling water, pot-bellied and flat, designed for field conditions, wood-burning and those that are heated by electricity – in a word, eyes run wide. Also here you can see other antiques – irons, kerosene lamps, dishes. Those who wish to be photographed in the museum will be dressed up in old Russian clothes.

Military Glory Museum

The Museum of Military Glory is located at the address – Invincible Street 1. Previously, it was located in the Church of Peter and Paul. But the current spacious building, whose facade resembles a red flag, allows guests to show all the exhibits – because their number is constantly increasing. The museum tells about the inhabitants of the region who took part in various wars: from the Middle Ages to the present day.

In the Hall of Fame, you can get acquainted with the Book of Memory, where all the collected information about the soldiers is stored. Of course, the museum also presents portraits of heroes, weapons from different eras, machine tools on which shells and parts of military equipment were made during the Great Patriotic War. There is also an exposition dedicated to the fighting in Afghanistan in the museum.

Monument to the Water Carrier

The inhabitants of Kolomna are very fond of this monument, dedicated to the people who were engaged in such hard, but necessary work. From the Moscow River, water carriers collected water in barrels and transported it around the city. A bucket of water at that time cost 2 kopecks.

Only at the beginning of the 20th century, when running water appeared in the city, the profession became a thing of the past. The monument was opened in 2012, and it was made by local blacksmiths, who were led by Anton Yakushev. This is a whole composition – the water carrier itself, his dog, as well as a barrel and a ladle. There is also a mug-piggy bank. The collected funds are transferred to charitable projects.

Museum “School of Crafts”

Museum “School of Crafts” is a real cultural center where you can not only get acquainted with the works of masters, but also learn those crafts that are now considered forgotten. Entering the museum, guests find themselves in a real Russian vestibule, a guide in national costume greets them with a bow.

In the museum you can see the stove and kitchen utensils, wicker baskets and bast shoes. But, of course, the guests pay the most attention to women's needlework. Ancient embroideries, knitted tablecloths, lace, fabrics, dolls – all this can be held in your hands.

For such holidays as Maslenitsa, Easter, Christmas, Christmas time, the museum has prepared special programs. But not only crafts are introduced to guests. They learn about the traditional rites of the Russian people, dance in circles, solve old riddles, learn to pronounce tongue twisters.

Some come to the “School of Crafts” regularly and really master some new skill for themselves. Among the “graduates” there are the most successful ones, who now work in well-known fashion houses.

Dormition Brusensky Convent

The monastery was founded in the middle of the 16th century in memory of the campaign of the troops of Tsar Ivan the Terrible against Kazan. Initially, the monastery was conceived as a male monastery, but after the Time of Troubles, nuns already lived in it. The first stone buildings began to appear at the end of the 18th century.

Gradually they replaced the wooden ones. So, a bell tower was built over the gates, residential buildings, a cathedral, and various outbuildings. At the end of the 19th century, a building for a refectory and an almshouse was erected.

With the establishment of Soviet power, the monastery was closed, people began to settle in its premises, and some buildings were assigned to warehouses. Only by the end of the 20th century did the restoration of the Assumption Church begin, the territory of the monastery was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church.

Today here you can see the Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God and the Holy Cross Cathedral, bow to one of the first lists from the genuine Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.

Assumption Cathedral

Once upon a time there was a cathedral built in the 14th century on this place. It was erected by order of Prince Dmitry Donskoy, who defeated the troops of the Golden Horde in the battle near the Vozha River. And that cathedral was painted by Theophanes the Greek himself. At the end of the 16th century, St. Job served in it.

By the end of the 17th century, the cathedral fell into disrepair and was dismantled. A new one was erected in its place, the architect was M. Alekseev. St. Philaret served and read sermons to the flock more than once in the new cathedral. In 1929 the cathedral was closed and looted. In 1989, the cathedral was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church; it was returned to the church only 60 years later.

Epiphany Staro-Golutvin Monastery

On the outskirts of Kolomna there is a beautiful architectural ensemble – the Staro-Golutvin Monastery. It is believed that its construction began in the 14th century, and that Sergius of Radonezh was involved in the idea of its construction. Over the following centuries, the monastery grew.

Today, pilgrims and ordinary tourists can admire the Epiphany Cathedral, the temple in honor of Sergius of Radonezh, the beautifully gated church. The main shrines of the monastery are the particles of the Cross on which Christ was crucified, and part of His crown of thorns. Getting into the service is also not difficult. Every day, at 8 am, the Divine Liturgy begins in the monastery.

Novogolutvinsky Holy Trinity Monastery

As you can guess from the name, this monastery was founded much later than the Staro-Golutvin Monastery. Construction here began only in the 19th century. The Trinity Cathedral of the 18th century and the bishops' chambers made of white stone were already on the territory of the future monastery.

Later, a bell tower was erected, the height of which exceeds 50 m, a beautiful fence with towers, 2 temples and a chapel. After the revolution, the monastery was closed, valuable things were taken out of it. Only at the end of the 20th century, restoration work began here, the monastery was returned to the Orthodox Church.

The Trinity Cathedral is extraordinarily beautiful, it is difficult to find a more striking example of the Russian Baroque style, and you will not see such mosaic floors anywhere else in Russia. Magnificent painting adorns the Church of the Intercession, and the carved wood iconostasis is a real work of art.

The iconostasis in the church in honor of Blessed Xenia of Petersburg is also unusual – it is made of ceramics. Children who come to the monastery will also be interested in seeing the dog kennel and getting to know a live camel that lives near the monastery.

Bobrenev Bogoroditse-Nativity Monastery

One of the most beautiful monasteries in Russia has a glorious history. Sergius of Radonezh blessed Prince Dmitry Donskoy to build this monastery after the victory of the Russian army over the troops of the Golden Horde on the Kulikovo Field.

By the 18th century the monastery was already in need of repair. The brethren temporarily moved to the Novogolutvin Monastery, and work began at the Mother of God-Christmas Monastery. A temple was erected here in honor of the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God, new outbuildings appeared.

The actions of the Soviet authorities can be called criminal – after the revolution, the monastery was turned into a warehouse for storing fertilizers. Today, restoration work is still underway, but the monastery is already waiting for pilgrims and tourists.

You can bow to the main shrine – a list from the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God, written by the Evangelist Luke. And also listen to the singing of the church choir in the temple with unique acoustics.

Church of St. Nicholas in Posada

The temple was built of white stone at the beginning of the 18th century. In the rarest style of Moscow patterns. It seems that this is not an Orthodox church, but an elegant fairy-tale tower.

In the 16th century, a wooden temple in honor of St. Nicholas stood on this site. They called him “Posadsky” because he was outside the city. There was also another nickname “the temple of St. Nicholas the Wet”, since the saint was depicted on the temple icon at the moment when he was saving a child from the water.

In the 18th century, on the donations of the inhabitants of the city, on the site of a wooden one, a stone church was built in a style that emphasized the proximity of Kolomna and Moscow, the common interests of the two cities. Today the temple belongs to the Russian Old Believer Church. Therefore, tourists will most likely not have to visit inside. But at any time you can admire the unusual architecture of the temple.

Museum of Linen and Life of a Russian Woman

The Flax Museum is located not far from Kuznechnaya Sloboda. And here, too, history comes to life. After all, the whole life of Russian families, especially women, was connected with flax.

Linen – clothes, bed linen, towels, tablecloths, curtains – all this was an integral part of everyday life. In the museum, tourists are introduced to how flax was grown from seeds, how yarn was obtained, woven and sewn. You will be able to see spindles, spinning wheels, a loom, admire old linen products, national costumes.

You can pre-order a master class and make your own souvenirs, such as dolls or amulets. There is also a souvenir shop where you can buy clothes, interior items and small souvenirs made by local craftswomen.

Kolomna Museum of Local Lore

The Kolomna Museum of Local Lore has a rich history – it was founded more than 80 years ago. Today it unites the estate of the Lazhechnikovs, the Governor's House and the Museum of Military Glory.

Thus, tourists have the opportunity to get acquainted with the history of the region – from ancient times to the present day. Particular attention is paid to the work of the writer Lazhechnikov and the period of the Great Patriotic War. In total, the museum stores about 30,000 exhibits, and more than 50,000 tourists visit it annually.

Zoo Gorki

You can take a whole day to visit this zoo. In 2009, this place was a neglected farm. It was converted into a petting zoo. Today, a variety of animals are kept here – from agricultural to exotic.

Good conditions are provided for all pets, so cubs are often born. In the zoo you can see ostriches and raccoons, buffaloes and yaks, llamas and camels, as well as many other animals. Some are allowed to enter the enclosures, feed them, and even pick up small animals.

If one of the animals especially likes, you can become his “guardian”, that is, take a material part in the maintenance of this particular animal.

There is a riding school, you can also just ride a horse or pony. And in the eco-shop at the zoo, they sell environmentally friendly agricultural products – milk, eggs, etc. Another nice nuance is that children under 7 years old visit the zoo for free.

House of Ozerov

It is difficult to define what the House of Ozerov is. It is both an ancient building, a museum, and a cultural and leisure center. On the border of the 18th-19th centuries, this house was built for the wealthy wine merchant A. Ozerov.

But from the very beginning it seemed that this mansion did not resemble a private house, but a state building, perhaps a museum. During the years of Soviet power, the mansion was transferred to the city administration, and later a museum was placed here. Various exhibitions are brought here, but there are also those that operate constantly. So, here you can always see wooden sculptures by A. Leonardov.

Fairy-tale characters, unusual palaces and panels – all this was made by a talented self-taught sculptor. Romantic paintings by K. Vasiliev are of great interest to the museum guests. Heroes of fairy tales and legends come to life on them – mighty heroes, incomparable beauties, Russian nature itself.

The third permanent exhibition is a collection of paintings by M. Abakumov. They also sing of Russian nature, talk about the traditional way of life and seem to breathe light and warmth. The museum also hosts cultural events, including concerts and master classes. Special interactive programs have been developed for children, where we are talking about favorite fairy tales and Russian heroes.

Skating center “Kolomna”

But Kolomna is not only famous for its antiquity. Its pride is also a modern skating center. It is a whole sports complex designed for children and adults. Sports competitions of various levels are held here.

But in the center you can not only watch competitions or go skating. It offers residents and guests of the city a spacious swimming pool, a gym equipped with modern exercise equipment, sports grounds, and a health center. The Museum of Skates and cozy cafes work, you can sit in the winter garden, take part in mass ice skating.

Monument to steam locomotive L-0012

It is not so often you can see a monument to a steam locomotive. But in Kolomna it is. The L-series steam locomotive was produced by a local factory in 1946. He found his place at Lebedyansky Boulevard. It was engineer L. Lebedyansky who was involved in the development of this project.

The L-series steam locomotive has become one of the best domestic mainline freight locomotives. He not only worked flawlessly on all the railways of a huge country, but also “acted” in films. It can be seen in such popular films as “12 Chairs”, “Children of the Arbat”, “Admiral”.

This is only a part of the sights of Kolomna – one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Russia. If you have the opportunity to come here and see everything with your own eyes, do not miss this chance.