Kostroma Gostiny Dvor, Historic shopping center in Susaninskaya Square, Kostroma, Russia.
The Kostroma Gostiny Dvor is a complex of more than ten Neoclassical buildings arranged symmetrically around Susaninskaya Square. Each arched passage along the rows contains individual shops, creating a unified architectural frame for trade and daily commerce.
Construction began in 1773 after a major fire destroyed the old Kostroma kremlin, with architect Charles Claire designing a new urban layout. This reconstruction established a systematic trading center that shaped the city's development for centuries to come.
The five-domed Saviour Church from 1766 stands at the center of the inner trade square, marking a spiritual connection between commerce and daily life. Visitors can still sense how traders and residents gathered here, blending business activity with religious devotion.
Shops and cafes occupy the ground floor and are easily accessible to visitors exploring the arcades. The upper levels serve as storage areas, so focus your attention on the covered walkways and symmetrical layout that make navigation straightforward.
White obelisks frame the main entrance, commemorating a royal visit in 1823. These markers reveal how significant this trading center was considered by the city's rulers of that era.
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