KOSTROMA-DURHAM SISTER CITIES ESTABLISHED NOVEMBER 27, 1989

Kostroma is the center of the Kostroma Region located in central Russia, 340 kilometers north east of Moscow.  In 2009 the population estimate was 270,000.

1152

Founded in 1152 by Yury Dolgoruky (who also founded Moscow just a few years earlier) Kostroma has rich history and abounds in magnificent monuments of old architecture. History of Kostroma goes hand in hand with history of Russia. In 1238 the Tartars invaded and plundered the town. As one of the northernmost towns of Moscow, Kostroma served for grand dukes as a place of retreat when enemies besieged the capital in 1382, 1408, and 1433.

Russian Tzars

The spectacular growth of the city in the 16th century may be attributed to the establishment of trade connections with English and Dutch merchants through the northern ports of Russia. At that time, Boris Godunov (whose ancestors established Ipatievsky Monastery a couple of centuries earlier) had the Ipatievsky and Epiphany monasteries rebuilt in stone. But this is not the only connection with Russian Tzars that Kostroma can boast of. The future tsar, Michael Romanov, also lived at Ipatievsky Monastery (please see the pictures in our gallery. It was here that an embassy from Moscow offered him the Russian crown in 1612.

3rd Biggest Town in Russia

By the end of the 17th century Kostroma became the third biggest town in Russia, after Moscow and Yaroslavl. It ceased to be just a fort, and became an important cultural and commercial center.

Now Kostroma is a nice and calm provincial town with historical center kept intact. The main industries are machinery, forestry, and textile.

In September 2002 the town celebrated its 850th Birthday! In March 2011, Kostroma adopted a city manager form of government. Yury Zhurin serves as mayor, and Alexy Shadrichev is city manager.