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
