Kostroma, the ancient city, standing on the Volga River, is the homeland of the popular Russian character Snegurochka and the national hero Ivan Susanin. All sights in Kostroma match the city: they are ancient, full of legends and traditions, repeatedly glorified in Russian history. 
The same can be said about the ancient male monastery located on the bank of the Kostroma River.

According to the old legend about Prince Chet, the Trinity-Ipatiev Monastery was founded by Tatar Murza Chet, who fled from the khan of the Golden Horde and converted to Christianity. After that, he had a vision that cured him of a disease. In gratitude for this miraculous healing, he erected the majestic Orthodox monastery on that place.

However, historians consider the prince to be a fictional character. They say that 1275, when the first ancient temple of the Holy Trinity was built here, is the year of the monastery foundation. There are more stories about the founder himself, but all conclude that, in the 16th century, the abode passed to the noble boyar family of the Godunovs, as evidenced by the ancient tomb within its walls, including graves of the Boris Godunov’s parents.

That time is considered the golden age of the monastery. New spacious lands were built up with tall stone walls and towers. The splendid Trinity Cathedral, the Winter Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and stone belfry, monk cells, a library of manuscripts, and a painting workshop were laid here. Afterward, every great sovereign generously contributed to the development of this Russian Orthodox shrine. Under Peter I, the cathedral was painted with beautiful frescoes with a variety of subjects. During the reign of Catherine II, the monastery got the central entrance, the baroque Catherine Gate. Tsar Nicholas I presented a memorial column, which still stands in the monastery square.

All presidents of the Russian Federation visited this monastery. Nowadays, the Trinity-Ipatiev Monastery is considered a tourist attraction. Although it even houses exhibitions of the Church Historical and Archaeological Museum, all the temples are functioning and still hold services, requiring visitors to observe the dress code.