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The city was founded in 1010 by Yaroslav the Wise on the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl rivers at the intersection of several important trading routes and named after his founder. Before that there used to be a trading post here called Medvezhiy Ugol (Bear Corner). Legend has it that Yaroslav the Wise subdued the local pagans after killing their sacred bear with an axe after it was let out of its cage to tear him apart. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the city prospered greatly through trade with the East and Europe, and soon it Yaroslavl and Moscow became the two biggest Russian cities of the age. The merchants donated huge sums of money for building and decorating churches, and the result was Yaroslavl's exuberant array of old onion-domed churches. Yaroslavl was fortunate to survive World War 2 with a high proportion of this heritage intact.
One of Yaroslavl's many gems is the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour founded in XII century, which was initially designed as a fortress (as most of the monasteries of the time). It was here that the famous Russian rebels Minin and Pozharsky gathered their 'troops' to go to Moscow in 1612. Its ensemble includes the imposing Cathedral of Transfiguration (1516), a number of churches, the Holy Gate, and a belltower. It's a long climb to the top of the belltower, but it's worth it for the breathtaking panoramic view of the city that opens from there. In ancient times, the monastery had a library and contains a fascinating ancient Russian manuscript from the 12th century, the 'Slovo o Polku Igoreve' (Saga about Igor Troops).
Another real pearl of Russian architecture in Yaroslavl is the elaborate Church of Ilijah the Prophet, built in 17th century. The interior of this delightful church is decorated by some of the most colourful of all frescoes of the famous Gury Nikitin of Kostroma. Take a look, too, at the 17th century Church of John Krestitel, a monument recommended to tourists even by UNESCO. It is an imposing building with 15 glittering golden onion domes and intricately decorated walls.
If you have time, you may find really fascinating a visit to Music & Time Museum, a private collection amassed by John Mostislavsky where an amazing collection of different antiques is exhibited. The centrepiece of the collection is its array of bells and rings, but there is also a wealth of wonderful old musical instruments (all in working order!) and antique gramophones playing old recordings of Shalyapin and Vertinsky. The captivating sound-scape is completed by the ding-dinging of antique clocks made by the most famous European masters.
Discover Yaroslavl on a Russian River Cruise
Yaroslavl
The poet Apollon Grigoriev said: 'Yaroslavl is a town of unsurpassed beauty; everywhere is the Volga and everywhere is history'. Those who have visited this architectural treasure trove will vouch for how these words truly describe Yaroslavl, one of the most beautiful cities of the Golden Ring. Famed for its skyline of imposing cathedrals, austere churches and immense Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour, Yaroslavl is familiar to every Russian person because the image of the city's Church of John Krestilel is printed on 1000 ruble banknotes. Remarkably, although the city is being steadily modernized, it still keeps a great deal of ancient unique architectural monuments and the historical part is a World Heritage Site.The city was founded in 1010 by Yaroslav the Wise on the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl rivers at the intersection of several important trading routes and named after his founder. Before that there used to be a trading post here called Medvezhiy Ugol (Bear Corner). Legend has it that Yaroslav the Wise subdued the local pagans after killing their sacred bear with an axe after it was let out of its cage to tear him apart. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the city prospered greatly through trade with the East and Europe, and soon it Yaroslavl and Moscow became the two biggest Russian cities of the age. The merchants donated huge sums of money for building and decorating churches, and the result was Yaroslavl's exuberant array of old onion-domed churches. Yaroslavl was fortunate to survive World War 2 with a high proportion of this heritage intact.
One of Yaroslavl's many gems is the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour founded in XII century, which was initially designed as a fortress (as most of the monasteries of the time). It was here that the famous Russian rebels Minin and Pozharsky gathered their 'troops' to go to Moscow in 1612. Its ensemble includes the imposing Cathedral of Transfiguration (1516), a number of churches, the Holy Gate, and a belltower. It's a long climb to the top of the belltower, but it's worth it for the breathtaking panoramic view of the city that opens from there. In ancient times, the monastery had a library and contains a fascinating ancient Russian manuscript from the 12th century, the 'Slovo o Polku Igoreve' (Saga about Igor Troops).
Another real pearl of Russian architecture in Yaroslavl is the elaborate Church of Ilijah the Prophet, built in 17th century. The interior of this delightful church is decorated by some of the most colourful of all frescoes of the famous Gury Nikitin of Kostroma. Take a look, too, at the 17th century Church of John Krestitel, a monument recommended to tourists even by UNESCO. It is an imposing building with 15 glittering golden onion domes and intricately decorated walls.
If you have time, you may find really fascinating a visit to Music & Time Museum, a private collection amassed by John Mostislavsky where an amazing collection of different antiques is exhibited. The centrepiece of the collection is its array of bells and rings, but there is also a wealth of wonderful old musical instruments (all in working order!) and antique gramophones playing old recordings of Shalyapin and Vertinsky. The captivating sound-scape is completed by the ding-dinging of antique clocks made by the most famous European masters.
Discover Yaroslavl on a Russian River Cruise
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