Blues skies over silver waters, a small boat with sails fluttering in the wind...This picture denotes the emblem of Kostroma. In olden times Kostroma was known as "the flax capital of the north": it supplied Western Europe with the world's finest sail-cloth.
Situated at the meeting of three rivers, the Kostroma, the Debre and the Volga, Kostroma is a jewel. The oldest building in the town is the cathedral of the Monastery of Epiphany and was built in 1565.
The pride of Kostroma is the museum at the former Ipatyevsky Monastery which played a part in almost every important event of the town's history. The monastery itself was founded in the fourteenth century. by the Zernov family of feudal lords, who were the forbearers of the Gudonovs. The stone walls and the fortress were erected during the reign of Ivan the Terrible.
Today Kostroma is the only city in Russia which has retained the layout formed in its central part during the eighteenth century.
Not far from Ipatyevsky Monastery is a reconstructed wooden village depicting the life of old rural Russia. Russians built (and still build) log cabin style buildings which are notable for the complete absence of nails.
Kostroma is about 340K to the north east of Moscow. There are many reasonably priced hotels and an overnight stay is recommended to get the most out of this picturesque and peaceful little city.

 FirebirdTravel.com