Kostroma is an ancient Russian town situated on the left bank of the Volga river. It was founded in 1153 by Prince Yury Dolgoruky. The pearl of Kostroma is the ensemble of the Ipatyevsky Monastery with white stone walls and golden cupolas. It was founded in the end of 13th century. The central structure in the monastery is the Troitsky Cathedral built in 1652. Kostroma monuments of 16-17th centuries includes the Bogoyavlensky Monastery and the Church of St.John the Baptist. The Rozhdestvenskaya and the Preobrazhenskaya Churches are situated on the right bank of the Volga river.