➤ Breakfast & check out
➤ Tour in Suzdal visiting Kremlin & other highlights
➤ Lunch & "Medovukha" degustation with pies
➤ Transfer to Kostroma
➤ Museum of Wooden Architecture
➤ Overnight in Kostroma hotel
Suzdal, often described as the "reflection of the Russian soul," offers a mesmerizing glimpse into the heart of Russia's medieval past. As one of the country's most beautifully preserved ancient towns, it’s a place where time seems to slow down, allowing visitors to fully appreciate its historic treasures.
No visit to Suzdal would be complete without tasting medovukha, a traditional Russian honey-based soft drink. Suzdal is particularly renowned for its high-quality medovukha, offering a sweet and unique taste of local flavor. Whether strolling through its peaceful streets, visiting ancient churches, or sampling its local delicacies, Suzdal invites you to step back in time and immerse yourself in its enduring beauty.
Proceed to Kostroma town.
Kostroma is one of the more tranquil and lesser-visited cities of the Golden Ring but holds significant historical and cultural value. Located on the banks of the Volga River, about 190 km from Moscow, it offers a unique blend of natural beauty and rich history.
If time permits, the Museum of Flax and Birch Bark in Kostroma is a fascinating and unique stop. This museum is dedicated to two quintessentially Russian materials: flax and birch bark. These natural resources have been integral to Russian daily life and craftsmanship for centuries, and the museum showcases their historical significance. Visitors will also have the opportunity to see and purchase birch bark crafts, which are a classic part of Russian folk art. These can range from practical items like baskets and shoes to decorative pieces and souvenirs. The museum is now home to a remarkable assortment of wooden buildings, ranging from traditional peasant houses to religious structures, such as churches and bell towers, each representing different periods of Russian history and architectural styles. These structures are not only visually stunning but also offer a glimpse into the everyday life and craftsmanship of rural Russia, preserved for future generations. The museum’s collection provides a rare opportunity to explore the beauty and ingenuity of wooden architecture, which was once so prevalent in Russian villages but has since been lost or endangered.
The Museum of Wooden Architecture in Kostroma is a fascinating testament to Russia's rich architectural heritage. Established to preserve the region's historical wooden structures, it was founded in response to the impending flooding caused by the construction of the Gorky Hydroelectric Station and dam on the Volga River. Many villages, home to unique and valuable architectural monuments, faced the threat of submersion. In the 1950s, expeditions organized by the Soviet Academy of Sciences identified and salvaged the most important buildings, transporting them to the museum's open-air collection in Kostroma Sloboda. The museum is now home to a remarkable assortment of wooden buildings, ranging from traditional peasant houses to religious structures, such as churches and bell towers, each representing different periods of Russian history and architectural styles. These structures are not only visually stunning but also offer a glimpse into the everyday life and craftsmanship of rural Russia, preserved for future generations. The museum’s collection provides a rare opportunity to explore the beauty and ingenuity of wooden architecture, which was once so prevalent in Russian villages but has since been lost or endangered.