Gustomesovo on the High Bank of the Volga

The Church of the Dormition stands in the northwestern part of the village and is built of brick. It is considered an example of a Russian-style parish church; its unusual composition of building volumes shows the influence of Art Nouveau. The church houses a carved stone altar cross, believed to date from the 17th century.

The village lies on a high bank of the Volga, and the church is in the northwestern part of Gustomesovo. It is clearly visible from the river. This location gives the place a distinctive landscape feature: the church and riverbank can be viewed together, even though the church itself does not stand directly on the bank. The church’s location within the village is also useful for orientation: the building is in the northwestern part.

The church is an example of a Russian-style parish church. At the same time, its composition of building volumes is unusual and shows the influence of Art Nouveau. The term “composition of building volumes” refers to how the different parts of the building work together and the overall effect they create. The church was probably built to a design by N. I. Gorlizyn, the city architect of Kostroma. This attribution is probable, not confirmed.

Another notable detail is the carved stone altar cross housed in the church. It is believed to date from the 17th century and was brought here from a wooden chapel in the village of Orlez, near Gustomesovo. The cross thus points to a former chapel site in the same area and adds a story of its own to the architectural picture.

If you would like to compare nature or museum experiences alongside church architecture, Kostroma Oblast offers other distinct highlights. In the Kologrivskiy Les State Nature Reserve, the “Puteshestviye v zapovednyy les” tour includes a visit to the nature trail of the same name through a section of old-growth southern taiga forest. The reserve protects different southern taiga landscapes across two separate areas, with zonal and provincial physical-geographical features. Check the tour’s current arrangements before planning your visit.

The region’s cultural offerings also cover a range of themes. Shchelykovo is the estate of Russian playwright Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky. Tours of the park and A. N. Ostrovsky’s house are scheduled for 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30 and 15:30; they are available to groups of five or more, or for a fee for a group of five. Check the schedule before your visit.

At the Susanino Local History Museum, exhibits in five halls tell the story of the Susanino region in turn, covering nature, archaeology, history, culture and everyday life. The renewed exhibition “Na perekryostke istorii i legendy” highlights Ivan Susanin and Savrasov’s painting “The Rooks Have Arrived” as important regional themes. The museum also offers walking and bus excursions to places associated with Ivan Susanin, including the Isupovo Marsh and the villages of Derevenki and Domnino.

Other museum visits explore different themes. At Kostromskaya Sloboda in Kostroma, visitors can see historic wooden houses and churches, as well as ethnographic exhibitions about the lives of peasants in the Kostroma region. The Museum of Dreams in Nerekhta tells the city’s history through the life stories of people who dared to dream big; original memorabilia bring these stories to life. The permanent exhibition at the Natural History Museum juxtaposes animals, birds, insects and fungi of today with the paleontological past of the Kostroma region. Check visitor information before visiting a museum.

Discover more destinations: Sukhonogovo, Khmelevka, Sudislavl, Bolshaya Chezhma, Vysokovskoye, Lipki, Kirovo and Chukhloma.

Where is the Church of the Dormition?

It stands in the northwestern part of Gustomesovo. The village lies on a high bank of the Volga, and the church is clearly visible from the river.

What is known about the church’s architecture?

The brick church is an example of a Russian-style parish church. Its unusual composition of building volumes shows the influence of Art Nouveau. The architect is believed to have been N. I. Gorlizyn, the city architect of Kostroma.

Where does the altar cross come from?

The carved stone cross is housed in the church. It is believed to date from the 17th century and was brought here from a wooden chapel in the village of Orlez, near Gustomesovo.

What arrangements apply to tours at Shchelykovo?

Tours of the park and A. N. Ostrovsky’s house are scheduled for 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30 and 15:30. They are available to groups of five or more, or for a fee for a group of five. Check the schedule before your visit.

Go to the regional travel overview: Kostroma Oblast.