Gustomesovo lies on a high bank of the Volga. The Church of the Dormition stands in the northwestern part of the village and is clearly visible from the river. Those looking for accommodation in Gustomesovo can base their choice of location on these specific features: its position by the river and a building with its own distinctive architectural character. The church is also home to a historic altar cross.

Church Architecture in Gustomesovo

The Church of the Dormition is built of brick and is an example of a Russian-style parish church. Its unusual composition also shows the influence of Art Nouveau. These are two distinct architectural aspects: the style designation characterizes the parish church, while the Art Nouveau influence concerns the building’s overall form. The design is believed to be the work of N. I. Gorlitsyn, a city architect from Kostroma.

A stone, carved altar cross is kept 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. Thus, as well as its architectural form, the church offers a tangible connection to the history of a sacred object from the surrounding village area. Its story brings stone and wood together.

More to Explore in Kostroma Oblast

The wider destination of Kostroma Oblast offers other cultural and nature-related attractions in different places; these are not features of Gustomesovo. The Kologrivsky Les Nature Reserve, the Shchelykovo estate, and museums in Susanino showcase different aspects of the region.

At the Kologrivsky Les State Nature Reserve, the “Journey into the Protected Forest” tour includes a visit to the ecological trail of the same name. It runs through an area of old southern taiga forest. The reserve consists of two separate areas that preserve different landscapes of the southern taiga, with zonal and provincial physical-geographical characteristics. Check the tour’s operating arrangements before your trip.

Shchelykovo is the country estate of the Russian playwright Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky in Kostroma Oblast. Guided tours of the park and the house of A. N. Ostrovsky are scheduled for 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30, and 15:30. They are available to groups of five or more, or can be arranged for a fee for five people. As the schedule may change, it is advisable to confirm the times and conditions before your visit.

The Susanino Local History Museum covers its themes across five halls: the exhibits tell the story of the nature, archaeology, history, culture, and everyday life of the Susanino region, in that order. The renewed exhibition “At the Crossroads of History and Legend” focuses on Ivan Susanin and Savrasov’s painting “The Rooks Have Returned,” both important motifs of the region.

Discover more destinations: Kostroma, Vysokovskoye, Lunëvo, Lipki, Khmelevka, Sharya, Nerechta, Bui.

Back to the regional travel guide: Kostroma Oblast.