Kostroma

Kostroma is one of the most beautiful cities in Russia. The city is as old as Moscow -- founded in 1152 by Yuri Dolgorukiy. Like many other cities, Koztroma was burned during the Tartar invasion. During the 15th century, the city was burned to the ground three times. But the local population made heroic efforts to successfully reconstruct the city. Kostroma is located to the north of Moscow and its inland location made it perfect to retreat to from the enemies who besieged Moscow. The grand dukes of Moscow used it for this purpose in 1382, 1408, and 1433.

In the 17th century, Kostroma became a very important city in Russia, due to its craftsmen and merchants. It was popular because of the mastery of the professions of builders, icon painters, tanners, and canvas makers..

Kostroma has many historical monuments and monasteries. The Ipatievsky-Troitzkiy monastery is a popular sight in Kostroma. It was founded in 1330 by the Tartar, Prince Chet. He and the famous Russian patriot, Ivan Susanin, are buried in the monastery. The Ipatievsky monastery holds the famous Green Tower and Troitzky Cathedral, as well and the first czar in the Romanov line lived in the Ipatievsky Monastery. It was here that an emissary from Moscow offered him the Russian crown in 1612.

Kostroma was home to Ivan Susanin who became a symbol of the city's resistance to foreign invaders. During a 6 month siege of Kostroma by the Poles, Ivan, who was just a local peasant, approached the Poles and suggested to them that he show them a hidden path which would enable them to attack the Russians from behind. Ivan led a large group of Poles deep into the woods and neither Ivan, nor the Poles, ever found their way out.