Yaroslavl is one of the oldest towns in Russia, in 2010 it celebrated 1000th anniversary. Prince Yaroslav the Wise founded it in 1010 on the place of the pagan settlement. The settlement and territory around it, where the Kotorosl River enters the Volga, was known as the “Bear’s Comer". Legends tell, that settlers unleashed a bear against Prince Yaroslav, who killed this animal with a pole-axe and ordered to build a wooden fortress on this place. The bear, which the original settlers regarded as a sacred animal, appears on the emblem of Yaroslavl Province. Nowadays, the picture of a bear greets visitors on the highway when entering the town. In XI-XII centuries, Yaroslavl was a border town of Rostov-Suzdal principality and played a major role in trade operations; later in 1218, it became the capital of the principality. In XIII-XV centuries, the town significantly suffered from the invasion of Mongol-Tatars of the Golden Horde and from feudal wars. In 1470, it joined Moscow State. The Golden age of Yaroslavl was in XVII century when it was a famous center of trade and craft. A development of Yaroslavl schools of architecture and mural paintings are dating that period, also many temples have been built at that time. As one of the towns of the Golden Ring of Russia, Yaroslavl is famous for buildings, belonging to different epochs designed in almost all architectural styles that were applied in Russia. Yaroslavl is also famous by still extant ancient churches and temples; there are about 40 of them. Some of sights are familiar to Russians because they are depicted on the 1000-ruble banknote. The Historical Centre of the City of Yaroslavl is inscribed onto the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Top sights in Yaroslavl

Alternative name of the church is the Church in honor of the feast of the beheading of John the Baptist. The most beautiful and picturesque Yaroslavl Church was built between 1671 in 1687 on the donations of local residents. The 45-meter tower was built later, in 1690. The church, painted by a team of local artists, has 15 domes divided into three groups. The silhouette of the temple is so unusual that some people consider that it was designed by Dutch or Bukhara architects. In 1936 the Church was used as a warehouse of chemicals, and its bell tower contained the forge. The restoration of the Church began in the 1950s, the bell tower that was leaning at a meter was reconstructed. Now the temple is under UNESCO protection. The St. John the Baptist Church is known for every resident of Russia, it is depicted on the 1000-ruble banknote.
St. John the Baptist Church in Tolchkovo, Yaroslavl

Alternative name of the church is the Church in honor of the feast of the beheading of John the Baptist. The most beautiful and picturesque Yaroslavl Church was built between 1671 in 1687 on the…

The monastery was founded in the XII century. In the early thirteenth century, here was the first in Russia religious school as well as one of the largest monastic libraries. In 1501 the monastery was severely damaged by fire. After that, here was built the Spaso-Preobrazhensky ('Transfiguration of the Savior') Cathedral, its design was influenced by cathedrals of the Moscow Kremlin. Now it is the oldest building in Yaroslavl. The Cathedral keeps preserved frescoes of the sixteenth century. A large iconostasis was created for the new Cathedral, only a few icons remained from it until now. At the end of the XVI century a stone wall was built around the monastery, which is still mistakenly called Yaroslavl Kremlin by some tourists. In the XVII century the monastery withstood a siege by the poles, after which it was thoroughly fortified. Now on the basis of the monastery works historical-architectural and art museum.
The Spaso-Preobrazhensky (St Savior) monastery

The monastery was founded in the XII century. In the early thirteenth century, here was the first in Russia religious school as well as one of the largest monastic libraries. In 1501 the monastery…