Discover Sharya: Railway, Park and Museum

• The railway station dates from 1906–1908; the station building dates from 1906.
• The city park has a children’s area and various rides. A small children’s locomotive can run on its narrow-gauge railway.
• In summer, the open-air museum in the city park presents an exhibition on forestry and the timber-processing industry of Kostroma Oblast.
• Sharya’s local history museum has permanent exhibitions and offers guided tours of its exhibitions; museum events are also held there.

The railway station offers a specific historical point of reference. It dates from 1906 to 1908, while the station building is dated to 1906. The two dates distinguish the station as a whole from its station building, making the railway station a precisely dated topic for culturally minded travelers.

The permanent exhibitions at Sharya’s local history museum cover the ethnic history of the Vetluga area and the region’s natural environment, as well as Sharya’s residents during the Second World War and the Vetluga Fair. Together, they present different aspects of regional history and culture. The museum offers guided tours of its exhibitions; museum events are also held there. If you plan to attend a tour or event, check the schedule in advance.

The city park has a children’s area and various rides. Another feature is its own narrow-gauge railway, on which a small children’s locomotive can run. If this railway is important to your visit, check its current operating arrangements on site.

In summer, the open-air museum in the city park presents an exhibition on forestry and the timber-processing industry of Kostroma Oblast. This seasonal topic differs from the local history museum’s permanent exhibitions: it focuses on forestry and timber processing, while the local history museum covers several historical, natural history and cultural topics. If you plan to visit in summer, it is advisable to check the current visitor arrangements.

A closer look at Kostroma Oblast reveals both nature and culture. The Kologrivsky Forest State Nature Reserve comprises two separate areas that preserve different southern taiga landscapes with zonal and provincial physical-geographic characteristics. The “Journey into the Protected Forest” tour includes a visit to the ecological trail of the same name, which runs through a section of old-growth southern taiga forest. If you plan to take this tour, check the arrangements before your trip.

Another cultural destination in the region is Shchelykovo, the country estate of Russian playwright Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky. Guided tours of the park and A. N. Ostrovsky’s house are offered there. Specific times and conditions are important when planning a visit; you can find the details in the frequently asked questions below.

At the Susanino Local History Museum, five halls tell the story of the Susanino region in sequence, covering nature, archaeology, history, culture and everyday life. The renewed exhibition “At the Crossroads of History and Legend” preserves Ivan Susanin and Savrasov’s painting “The Rooks Have Arrived” as important themes for the region. The museum also offers walking and bus excursions to places associated with Ivan Susanin, including the Isupovo bog and the villages of Derevenki and Domnino. Check current availability if you plan to book one of these excursions.

Discover more destinations: Lipki, Drenevo, Kirovo, Gustomesovo, Vysokovskoye, Glebovo, Stepanovo, Krasnoye-on-the-Volga.

How do the railway attractions in Sharya differ?

The railway station dates from 1906 to 1908; its station building dates from 1906. The narrow-gauge railway is a feature of the city park, where a small children’s locomotive can run. Ask on site about the park railway’s current operating arrangements.

When does the open-air museum present its exhibition?

The open-air museum in the city park presents its exhibition on forestry and the timber-processing industry of Kostroma Oblast in summer. Check the current visitor arrangements for your visit date.

What times and conditions 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 for groups of five or more, or for a payment equivalent to five people. As arrangements may change, check the times and conditions before your trip.

Back to the regional travel overview: Kostroma Oblast.