Ipatiev Monastery

The symbol of Kostroma The monastery stands on a high riverbank and seemingly reflects the entire Russian history in the water. In 1613, Mikhail Romanov was declared Tsar here, marking the beginning of the 300-year history of the Romanov dynasty. The Trinity Cathedral with golden domes and magnificent wall paintings by Gury Nikitin houses a rich five-tiered iconostasis. On the walls of the Romanov boyar chambers, you can still see the bright “chessboard” pattern, inside — magnificent tiled stoves, and the delicate turquoise Catherine Gates remind of the Empress’s visit. On the monastery grounds, there is the Church Museum with rare books, icons, and relics, including the famous Ipatiev Chronicle.