Have you often had to open an atlas and look at populated areas? Sometimes you can see unknown small towns and villages on the map. How many people know where Kineshma is? You should definitely find out more about this wonderful city because it is one of the most glorious and oldest cities in Russia with a centuries-old history and... But first things first.
Story
The first mention of the city can be found in chronicles of the fifteenth century. Previously, it was a small settlement, the inhabitants were engaged in fishing and crafts. For a long time, Kineshma was listed on the map as a rural settlement. But the years passed, the settlement became larger, and during the reign of Catherine II, Kineshma finally became a city. At the time the city coat of arms was awarded, Kineshma was already a major center. In the nineteenth century, “Kineshma city” had already grown from “Kineshma village” and became the second largest city in the Ivanovo region by the number of inhabitants.
In 1871, an event occurred in the life of the city: the railway opened. This was to the advantage of local industrialists, who wanted to develop chemical plants in the city in the second half of the 19th century. The city produced dyes, had an iron foundry, and also had a woodworking industry. Kineshma furriers offered material, and there were also those who were seriously involved in leatherwork. Kineshma in those same years became the most important city in those parts.
It got bigger and bigger, but it lasted until about the 1980s. During the Soviet years, the chemical industry developed, but after the collapse of the USSR everything began to decline, and over the past thirty years the population has decreased by 14–15%.
Of course, a city with such a glorious history simply cannot be boring. In Kineshma, many architectural monuments have been preserved; there are also interesting places, cafes, boulevards, restaurants and modern unusual museums that reflect the life and interests of the townspeople and in an unusual and fascinating way introduce the history and features of the development of this place. It is worth taking a closer look at several of the most attractive places for tourists.
Volzhsky Boulevard
Kineshma (attractions exist in every district of the city) offers tourists many places for recreation and walks. Volzhskaya Alley is lined with paving stones and is located above a large cliff, with a river flowing at the foot. From here there is a good view of Kineshma, and a road bridge is visible in the distance.
In the 17th century this place was the northern part of the Kineshma fortress. Until 1920, all fences, roads and sheds were made of wood. Along the alley there are civilian buildings; in ancient times, the Church of the Transfiguration of Spasovo stood here, destroyed in 1609. Coordinates: 57.445820, 42.166437
Assumption and Trinity Cathedrals
These wonderful architectural monuments are located on the steep bank of the Volga. It offers a wonderful view, you can visit the cathedrals even just for this. The Assumption Cathedral is the oldest of all buildings. The building in the Kostroma style is very interesting; it was erected back in 1798. Trinity Cathedral was built in 1838. There is no need to be surprised and think that something similar has already been seen, because the cathedral was built according to a classical model. The building is brick, covered with plaster.
Interesting fact: the walls of the Assumption Cathedral have survived to this day with eighteenth-century paintings. The paintings were done with water paints, and later fragments were done with oil paints. These creations, of course, are associated with biblical motifs. Here you can see some scenes from the Gospel, as well as from the Acts of the Apostles.
Monastery
- Kineshemsky Uspensky (female, inactive)
Temples
- Alexander Nevsky
- Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Vasily Kineshemsky, chapel
- Vladimir Equal to the Apostles, chapel
- Exaltation of the Holy Cross, chapel
- Ascension of the Lord
- Demetrius of Thessalonica
- Spirit of the Holy Descent, brownie
- John Chrysostom
- New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church
- Transfiguration of the Lord
- Nativity of Christ
- Sergius of Radonezh
- Presentation of the Lord
- Trinity Life-Giving Cathedral
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Cathedral
- Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God at the house of charity for the poor, brownie
Museum and monuments
Cinema "Passage"
“Passage” will immediately attract tourists, even those who did not specifically go to see the theater, but walked and looked at the streets. Why is the theater interesting? It is notable for its very interesting and unusual ancient architecture. The style contrasts with modern buildings, so the theater looks impressive against the backdrop of gray houses and ordinary buildings. Erected in 1908 by Tikhomirov, a local merchant. At that time, this building had a lot of interesting things: there were small shops there, there was a cinema, and also a restaurant. Now the renovated building houses only a cinema.
Red shopping arcades
Tikhonovsky fairs were held in the shopping arcades. The structure consists of two floors, with plenty of space for traders. If in those days there were fairs in the red shopping arcades, now a store has been opened there. Fairs have not been held since the twentieth century. The building has survived to this day, and this is already a reason to visit it.
Volzhsky Boulevard
Well, who hasn’t dreamed of at least once walking along the banks of the Volga, enjoying the autumn landscape, listening to the whisper of the river, the rustling of leaves and the leisurely shuffling of shoes? Volzhsky Boulevard is a special place. Located on the right bank of the Volga River in the center of Kineshma. This place was and is respected by local residents. The boulevard often becomes a venue for city holidays and events. But even on ordinary days it is fun and cozy here.
Museum of felt boots
The museum opened in 2012. The fact is that an amazing family lives in Kineshma, in which felt felting masters have been surprising with their work for the past 20 years. The head of the family made felt boots with decorations for his daughters, and later he made the smallest felt boots in the world—the length of the feet is 6 mm! Thumbelina wouldn’t mind wearing these boots. But the master did not want to stop and felt felt boots 2 m high! These amazing exhibits can be seen in this interesting and unique museum. Everything is done with love and care.
River Station
The river station still remembers the times when it received hundreds of ships full of tourists. Now he doesn’t get bored either - the building houses the Rechnoy shopping center. But boating enthusiasts can still find boats nearby and quickly cut the Volga up and down. What's good: Kineshma again began to be mentioned as a stopping point for airliners.
River Station
Bridges
Kineshma means "calm water". The city is surrounded by four rivers, so there are many large bridges. The largest and most famous bridge is the Kineshma bridge. This bridge (just imagine) connects the banks of the Volga. Unfortunately, you cannot walk across this bridge—a highway passes through it. The second most beautiful and largest bridge is Nikolsky. There was once a temple of the same name near this bridge, but now it is gone. However, the bridge is still there and amazes with its appearance. You look at it and it seems that it looks like the Eiffel Tower.
Kunsthistorisches Museum
It is proposed to view exhibits that clearly and clearly tell the history of Kineshma from ancient times to the present day. Many exhibits are presented in a way that will interest the whole family. There are also those that children will look at with curiosity. The Western European exhibition features works by artists already known to many: Aivazovsky, Korovin, Schilder, and Savitsky. The museum was opened in 1919 by the local education department. Admission was free back then, so everyone could come in and look at the exhibits, learn something new and have a good time. In 1936, admission became paid; before that, the museum lived due to local funds from the executive committee. Now the museum houses many exhibits: over the years, it has accumulated 17 thousand items.
Museum of Military Equipment
This museum is located in an open-air park, so you can combine business with pleasure and stroll around looking at the exhibits. The museum is combined with a Memorial, which is dedicated to fallen Soviet soldiers. Kineshma remembers the heroes who laid down their lives defending their homeland from the German invaders. The museum contains exhibits of military equipment of those years. Ceremonial events dedicated to Victory Day are held here every year.
Restaurant-museum "Russian Izba"
Sometimes you want to take a break from museums, parks, boulevards and other places and just eat. There are enough tables in this establishment for everyone: 80 seats and a building in the style of a peasant hut. The interior is represented by peasant household items. In the restaurant you can see pitchforks, millstones and other tools collected from local villages. The restaurant offers many different dishes: 300 items! The majority of the dishes are of Old Russian origin; this is where you can try the signature Tsar-style meat, veal brains, etc.
Restaurant-museum "Russian Izba"
Bishop's House Museum
The museum is dedicated to the life of the bishop. The museum is located in the house where he prayed and spent most of his time. There are many things that surrounded the bishop in everyday life. Here is the familiar Russian stove, a wooden table, spacious benches and, of course, icons. But you can also see matches, candles, a sewing machine, etc.
Exhibition “Kineshma felt boots”
Here are felt boots of different sizes, listed in the Russian book of records. You can also get acquainted with the step-by-step technology of their manufacture. The entire exhibition occupies 3 rooms; you can order a guided tour.
Kineshmansky felt boots - a landmark known throughout Russia
- Location: st. Frunze 6.
- Opening hours: 10:00-16:00.
- Closed: Monday.
Estates of Kineshma
Sevryugov Estate
This Estate appeared in 1904. The estate took two years to build. It is immediately noticeable that the building was built in the Art Nouveau style, consists of two floors, and is made of brick. A marble staircase leads to the shore; a park has grown up next to the estate; it contains pine trees, poplars, birches, larches and other plants. The main mansion is visible from many places, it flaunts on the banks of the Volga.
The building is large, there is a basement, a kitchen, a storage room, wine cellars and other buildings. Famous people of the city gathered here, and the owner of the estate himself was highly respected. After the revolution, the building was nationalized and the owner left the country. For many years, the estate was used for various things, at first former servants lived here, but soon everyone forgot about this place. Now the estate is in an abandoned state, which is sad.
Tikhomirov's House
The house was built by the famous man in Kineshma, Polenov. The merchant was a member of the guild, his comrades already at that time raised the problem of preserving architectural monuments - churches and temples of Kineshma and local villages. The house survived the fire, after which it was bought and renovated by Tikhomirov, which is why the building is named after him.
Tikhomirov's House
House of merchant Shemyakin
Built by merchant Shemyakin in 1913. The building immediately stands out for its original architecture. The building consists of two floors, this structure is visible from the Volga. After the revolution, like other estates and houses, Shemyakin’s house was nationalized. The city committee was located there, and then ordinary people lived in it. Today the house houses the city registry office.
There are many places in the city of Kineshma, it is worth seeing at least some of the sights. Instead of seeing the same pictures every year, you should start getting acquainted with such unfamiliar and unexplored places. Kineshma, having appeared to a person for a moment, comfortably located on the river bank, can no longer forget itself - you will want to return to this city again and again.
Cinema "Passage"
The cinema was built at the beginning of the twentieth century. with money from the merchant Tikhomirov and called itself “Modern”. This is a rectangular elongated house, two-level. The main facade of the building, looking at the street. Ryleevskaya, decoratively decorated.
Next to the cash register there is a dressing room, then a hall located on another level. Initially, retail space was located in the lobby, and a restaurant was located on the ground floor. In 1920, the cinema was nationalized and turned into a warehouse.
Most of the interior decorations were also destroyed. Now there is a cultural and entertainment center here. Location: st. Ryleevskaya 4.
Walled City
After Kineshma suffered a second time from the Kazan Tatars in 1536-1537, fortifications were erected in the city: a rampart was poured, and a fortress wall was built on it. Starting from the Volga cliff, it ran south along the left side of the current Frunze Street (formerly Ovrazhnaya), crossed Lenin Street and turned east along the cliff, clearly visible even now. Further, a little before reaching Ryleevskaya Street, it turned north to the Assumption Cathedral, and then along the Volga cliff to the west, to Frunze Street.
There was a gate in the city wall. Some are in its western part, others in the eastern part, giving access to the shopping area. Between the fortified part of the city and the Kineshemka River there was a settlement where most of the townspeople, mainly artisans, lived.
When Russia was divided into zemshchina and oprichnina, Kineshma and its surroundings were classified as oprichnina. At this time it was an important settlement of great economic importance. “She herself appeared to the population of the surrounding villages over a fairly vast area. It is quite possible that Kineshma and Vichuga remained independent administrative units in the form of volosts for some time,” wrote N. Vinogradov in the book “Kineshma Scribe Books as One of the Important Sources for the Study of the Local Region.”
The actions of the oprichnina and the war led to the desolation of the central regions of the state, including the Kineshma region. Up to 40% of arable land has turned into neglected, uncultivated land. People abandoned their homes and left.
Shopping arcades
At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, fairs in cities were of enormous importance and were held regularly. So in Kineshma, Red Trading Rows were built for these events. The style of this building is truly unique; it combines eclecticism, modernism and Romanov classicism.
Today, the shopping arcades have not lost their original purpose and have been preserved almost in their original form. Thanks to the shopping arcades, the central square of Kineshma is original and beautiful in its own way.
Location: Krasny Metalist street - 12.
Where to eat
Of all the establishments in the city, the following stand out:
- Coffee shop on Malaya Pokrovskaya. Located on the street. Lenina, 22.
- Cafe Coffee shop Caramel. Located on the street. Lenina, 55.
- Restaurant Russian Izba. Location – Volzhsky Blvd., 2.
- Pivgrad. Address: st. Gogol, 2/67.
- Peaceful Pier. Located on the river on Volzhsky Boulevard.
- Cafe Pyramid. Located on the street. them. M. Gorky, 25.
- Restaurant Volzhskie Zori. Located on Volzhsky Boulevard.
- Cafe Yamato. Address: st. Maxim Gorky, 19.
According to numerous reviews from visitors to the Venice pizzeria, it is not recommended to dine here, as the prices are inflated and do not correspond to the quality.
Where to stay
There are 3 main hotels in the city:
- Sadko Hotel. There is a bar, free WI-Fi, 24-hour reception, and a restaurant. The cost of breakfast is 120 rubles, lunch is 200 rubles, dinner is 150 rubles. The average cost of accommodation for 1 person per day is 1200 rubles. Address: st. Shchorsa 1a.
- Peaceful Pier. The hotel is located in a house on the water, 5 min. Walking distance from the city center. Type of breakfast - continental, buffet. There is private parking and a bar. The average daily cost for 1 adult is 2,700 rubles.
- Volga. The hotel is located on the outskirts of the city. There is a fitness center, restaurant, and free Wi-Fi. Cost per day – 900 rubles.
No less popular is the option of renting an apartment, especially if the trip is planned by a group of people:
- Apartment on the street Red Metalist 31. Total area 60 m2, accommodates up to 6 people. Pets are allowed. Cost per day – 3500 rubles.
- Santa Barbara. Address: st. Kasimikhenskaya 1. Pets are allowed. Price per day – 700 rub.
- Apartment on the street Sports 2 . The total area is 36 m2, the number of guests is 2. There is a kitchen and free Wi-Fi. Cost per day – 1500 rubles.
Drama Theater named after A.N. Ostrovsky
It is rightfully considered one of the oldest provincial theaters in Russia. It was founded in 1896 in the city of Kineshma, Kostroma province. Since its foundation, the theater has been named after A. N. Ostrovsky, and was created with the direct participation of members of the playwright’s family.
It was not by chance that the theater received the Ostrovsky name. His estate, Shchelykovo, was located on the territory of the Kineshma district, and the playwright spent several months a year there, taking an active part in the life of the district. The first performance played on the theater stage was based on Ostrovsky's play “Poverty is not a vice.” The premiere took place on December 26, 1897.
Location: Sovetskaya street - 12.
Church of the Nativity
The church was built in 1754 at the expense of parishioners. Later, at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, the church was restored and rebuilt. It was closed in the 1930s. Until 1993, the church housed the metalworking workshop of the Kineshma plant named after Kalinin.
All the interior decoration was lost, only fragments of 19th-century paintings survived on the eastern wall of the refectory. Since 1993 - transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church. Today it is under restoration, however, services are held in the church regularly.
Location: Yuryevetskaya street - 13.
