The historical centre of Kineshma has preserved to this day the charm of a typical district merchant town of the late nineteenth century – that one which is depicted in the famous drawings of Boris Kustodiev. On the high river bank there are mansions, chatelaine, churches, merchants' rows and green boulevards. Back in the day, the prototype-heroes of Alexander Ostrovsky's creations were walking along these places.

At the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century Kineshma was one of the finest and well-designed Volga towns thanks to wealthy merchants: the town was decorated with landing stages, river cafes, modern lighting and the first movie theater at the Russian Volga riverside.

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The dramatist Alexander Ostrovsky served as an Honorary Magistrate Judge in Kineshma for 12 years. Case papers of the Kineshma Courts are laid at the core of many of his works (Without a Dowry, Sheep and Wolves, On a Lively Place, The Storm, etc.). The dramatist's family took part in the foundation of the Kineshma Drama Theatre.

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Kineshma was famous for sailcloth even outside the Russian Empire. Admiral Nelson, a British flag officer in the Royal Navy, went sailing with sails from Kineshma cloth.

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In October 1834, Nicholas I, the Emperor, visited Kineshma Trinity-Dormition Cathedral. In 1850, on the insistence of the Emperor, his sons – Nicholas and Michael also visited this town.

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5 FACTS ABOUT KINESHMA

Vasiliy Kineshemsky, the bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church, was born in Kineshma and lived for a long time there. He was consecrated a saint. You can get acquainted with the life of the man of faith in the house-museum.

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You can walk along the Volga Boulevard and enjoy the stunning scenery of the Volga River flood flow and the Central Russia taiga. In summer, you can book an unforgettable river boat ride.

Moreover, you may try a deep-fried pie made according to a unique pre-revolutionary recipe. At one time, the original pie "Kineshemsky" was well-known throughout Russia. Now it is made only in Kineshma, particularly, at the Russian Hut Restaurant.

The Museum of Art and History is welcoming you with a unique collection of paintings by Russian artists like Korovin, Aivazovsky, Savitsky, as well as unique exhibits of the Time of Troubles era and the golden age of the Kineshma merchants. You will be told about the history of Kineshma by professional guides. It takes hundreds of kilometers for many tour companies to get their tourists to these particular guides so that they could learn everything about the history of this town first hand.

The Transfiguration Church is the oldest building in Kineshma. Fresco painting of the church is unique and inspired by the themes of Western European painting of the late Middle Ages.

ATTRACTIONS

Pieces of art made by Kineshma artists and artisans

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Dressy Kineshma valenki

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SOUVENIR IDEAS