It is considered that this Volga city was founded in 1152 by Prince of Rostov and Suzdal Yuri Dolgoruky, who is known in the first place as the founder of Moscow. It is because of his constant desire for new gains that the prince got his nickname Dolgoruky, which is Russian for a 'grabbing person'.

After a short period of rapid growth (16-17th centuries) Kostroma lost its commercial significance, but stayed the city that played noticeable role in the national history. Suffice it to say that the family of the Romanov boyars, the tsar's dynasty from 1613, originated from here. In the period from the late 18th through the early 19th centuries the new downtown construction in Kostroma went according to a strict architectural plan, which, excepting St.Petersburg, was unique for Russia of those days. Among the main city's attractions is the Ipatiev Monastery complex (13th century) with its famous Trinity Cathedral and Chamber of the the Romanov boyars.