Kolomna is an ancient city of Moscow Region, Russia, founded in 12th century.
This is one of my favorites among the ancient cities of the region. Not only because the city is located just in 114 kilometers (71 mi) of Moscow. Not only because it has preserved remarkable historical buildings, including part of ancient kremlin (yes, like some other ancient Russian cities, it has a kremlin), built by Italian architects as a medieval European fortress. Not only because all the main attractions can be walked around in one day. But because here, local enthusiasts, businessmen, and actors preserve and support absolutely fantastic traditional crafts! Here you can find several absolutely unique tourist attractions, which I do not know of any analogues.
Herewith my “Top 3” recommendations for visiting in Kolomna without fail:
1. Museum of Kalach.
Kalach (or Kolach) is a traditional Eastern European bread. The name originates from the Old Slavonic word kolo meaning “circle” or “wheel”.
Russian Kalach looks like a circle, but one part of is it significantly thinner, and the other is significantly thicker. The thinner part used as a “handle” so kalach could be eaten without hands washing. After eating, the handle was thrown away or given to the poor. Because only desperate people ate the handles that had been thrown away, this is thought of the Russian saying “go down to the handle” meaning to hit rock bottom. In English it’s can be translated as “run into the ground”.
The Museum of Kalach is a reconstruction of the traditional bakery of the 18-19th century. You can find here the huge Russian Oven. It was a speciallly designed oven for Russian army of 19th century. The oven can cooked bread, then, as it cools down, three dishes and boiling water simultaneously, for a large number of soldiers.
In the basement of the museum there is a modern bakery, where a modern ovens is located. This company meets the need for kalachs for all comers. However, there is always a queue of those wishing to purchase a real Russian Kalach.
2. Pastila Factory Museum
Pastila is a traditional Russian fruit confectionery. It has been described as “small squares of light, airy puffs with a delicate apple flavor”. Actually, is a type of apple marshmallow.
The museum is located in a large private mansion of the 19th century. During the tour, you will visit each room in sequence, and even the basement, where the storage of apples is recreated. In each room you will meet different historical characters - the old agronomist and his daughter will talk about the varieties of apples, and treat you to tea from local herbs; Cooks and their assistants will show and teach you how to make Pastila.
The owner of the factory is a rich merchant, will meet you in his 19th-century office to with you talk about business. And finally, you will go to the Pastila Store, where you can buy Pastila in recreated historical packages of the 19th century. This is an amazing journey into the past!
3. Museum of money.
The basis of the exhibition is the private numismatic collection of Mikhail Amosov. During the tour, you can get acquainted with the first money of the Grand Duchy of Moscow, learn about the first counterfeiters, as well as trace the history of Russia in the era of the struggle for liberation from the Horde yoke.
This is a very small museum, but I assure you that the amazing stories of tour guides wore in historical costumes, and the atmosphere of the ancient Kremlin basement, where you go down the spiral staircase, will not leave anyone indifferent. It was interesting to listen and watch, and I did not take pictures there.
I have more than 300 pictures of Kolomna, and it was not easy for me to choose what you are interested in. Hope you enjoyed it, and welcome to Russia!
From Russia with 
, Sergey
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