Yaroslavl, sights to see

Yaroslavl is one of the oldest Russian cities- also called 'city-monument', 'city-temple' and 'museum under the open sky', counting 850 notable historical and cultural sights, it was founded in XI century, not later than 1010 by Yaroslav Vladimirovich The Wise - the prince from Rostov. Millennial history made Yaroslavl the notable spectator of historical events. Yaroslavl was famous for its arts and crafts from old times - country-famous icons and world famous libraries originate from Yaroslavl.

Famous epic 'The lay of Igor's Host' was found in one o f Yaroslavl libraries. Also first public theater was built in Yaroslavl. Every meter of city center, which is protected by UNESCO, has a rich historical background.
 

Yaroslav the Wise monument

The monument to the city founder was finished in 1993 on Bogoyavlenskaya square. The city's coat of arms, duel between Prince Vladimir and the bear can be seen on pedestal. Prince's sculpture with the book tops the pedestal.
 

Spaso-Preobrazhenskiy Monastery

Was founded in XII century near main river Kotorosl crossing, as a vital part of city defence. Prominent regional religious and cultural center. Here in 1612 people's levy marched to free Moscow. Central part of ensemble is Spaso-Preobrazhenskiy cathedral - oldest stone temple in region, it was built in beginning of XVI century. The belfry is 30 meters high - picturesque hilled riverside can be seen from there.

Kazanskaya Bogomater (Our Lady of Kazan) Chapel

Erected in 1997 near the gates of Spaso-Preobrazhenskiy monastery - on the very place where 385 years ago recruits marched to free Moscow.

Yaroslavl Historical and Architectural Museum

Territory of Spaso-Preobrazhenskiy monastery is occupied by expositions of historical and architectural museum of Yaroslavl. Russian silver, rare books, icons, frontal and ornamental sewing and ancient treasures can be found there. Special exposition is dedicated to epic poem 'The lay of Igor's Host'.

Nikon the Patriarch in Yarolavl the reformer of Russian Orthodox church died on 17th of August, 1681 on the opposite to Spaso-Preobrazhensky monastery, bank of Kotorosl river.

Volga Embankment

Yaroslavl Embankment is one of the best on Volga. Boulevards, trees and old wooden mansions form Yaroslavl embankment as one unique piece of the art. In 1840-s wooden grate separating walking alleys from slope was replaced by metallic - that was a gift by Petukhov Merchant dynasty, known as 'Kings of Russian Iron'.

Strelka

'Strelka' is old Russian for strip of land, between two joining rivers, usually wedge-shaped. Many old Russian towns were built on such places - Yaroslavl is one of them. High, steep cape on border of two rivers is told to be the the seed of town. Nearby, the newly-erected and blessed glorious Uspenskiy Cathedral stands commemorating the 1000-th anniversary of city founding. It occupies the same place where the same-named, erected in 1219, cathedral stood.

Church of John the Baptist

Masterpiece of architecture and early Russian art. This remarkable building was erected from 1671 to 1687. It was built in Tolchkovskaya Sloboda (Settlement). Main building - Church of John the Baptist has sixlayered carved iconostasis and remarkable frescoes. It is first in Christian world in variety of plots depicted.

Temple Ensemble in Korovniki

Ensemble built in first part of XVII century - one of the masterpieces of Russian architecture. Ensemble stands on a right bank of Volga, near Kotorosl river. It contains the temple of John the Chrysostom, Sretenskiy Temple, layered belfry (so-called 'Candle of Yaroslavl' ) built in Naryshkin baroque style, Holy Gates and Wall banding together the whole ensemble.

Elijah the Prophet Church

Outstanding example of Yaroslavl architectural school of XVII century. Church was built on funds of renown brothers Skrypin - famous merchant family. Greatest painters of that time - Guriya Nikitin and Syla Savin were invited from Kostroma city. Frescoes astonish all visitors . Rich decorations are supplemented by carved, gold painted iconostasis, icons, painted portals, tiled border and rich church utensils.

Ensemble of Christmas Church

This church was erected on Volga embankment. The Church itself contains unique belfry and several sacral architecture elements - Holy gates, gate church and belfry on top. First church in Yaroslavl to have unique green tiles made with special technology. Church was built in 1635-1644 by the local stonemason team.

Tolga Monastery

Monastery was founded in 1314 by Tryphon, the bishop of Rostov. As legend says the icon of Our Lady manifested itself on future monastery site. Monastery saw many up and downs during 700 years. In the beginning of XV century it burned to ashes during fire, in XVII it was robbed by polish intervents and in 1917 it was abolished by Bolsheviks. In 1987 the nunnery was founded. The wondrous icon of Our Lady of Tolga attracts many of pious people nowadays.

Yaroslavl Museum of Fine Arts

The biggest provincial museum in central Russia. The main building, ex-governor mansion is situated on Volzhskaya Naberezhnaya, 23. This mansion was built by the Yaroslavl architect Petr Pankov in 1821-1823 and served as official residence of Yaroslavl governor. When members of Emperor's family visited Yaroslavl they were used for their accomodation. Collections of icons, Russian avant-garde paintings and urban portrait kept in museum are noteworthy. The Governor's garden was restored to authenticity in 1980-90s. It bands together the mansion and surroundings in one ensemble.

Metropolitan Chambers

Metropolitan Chambers serves as museum of old Russian art (Volzhskaya Naberezhnaya, 1) - one of the oldest buildings in city, rare piece of civil architecture of XVII century with walls as thick as 2 meters, arches and inner staircases. The chambers were built as Yaroslavl residence of bishop Jonah Sysoevich. Catherine the Great was staying there twice while visiting Yaroslavl. Museum contains the richest collection of early Russian art - among it the famous Russian pre-mongolian icon -'Spas the Almighty'. Also, a big collection of tile s dating back to XIII-XX centuries can be seen there.

House-museum Leonid Sobinov

House-museum of famous Russian singer Leonid Sobinov is situated on Sobinova str., 25. This is the only museum dedicated to one of the best singers of 'Silver age' . Exposition is the material incarnation of life and creativity of famous tenor, shows the variety of scenic images. Visitors can take delight in hearing the voice of maestro from early phonograph recordings made in XX century and take a glance through his costumes.

City History Museum

The structure of museum lets visitors walk the 'stairway of time' - exposition spans from IX century to nowadays. Six halls are dedicated to history of Yaroslavl from foundation till nowadays. Museum has the notable collection of archeological materials XIII-XV centuries, extracted at city center and collection of jewelry authored by renown artisan Nikolay Nuzhdin - citizen of Yaroslavl. Tickets can be purchased from 10.00 to 17.00 daily except Tuesday.

Museum 'Music and time'

'Music and time' is the first private museum in Yaroslavl (Volzhskaya naberezhnaya, 33a) founded by John Mostoslavsky. Most of the exposition are bells - from big to tiny - altogether more than 2000 pieces. Musical instruments - harmoniums, organs, music boxes, gramophones and phonographs are also prominent. Collection of watches is presented by works of famous European masters - Baker, Bure and Moser. The collection is topped by goldworked icons of XIX-XX century.

Arsenal and Vlasyevskaya Towers

After great city fire in 1658, that devoured half of Yaroslavl, city was surrounded by 16 stone towers and earthen bank. Two main buildings remain from that time - Volzhskaya - main entrance to city from water and Vlasyevskaya - main entrance from land. Vlasyevksya tower is a great piece of early Russian masonry. Loopholes for shooting arrows, special holes for boiling oil were two main means of defense at that time and can be found in Vlasyevskaya tower. Volzhskaya tower was also used for scouting the wharf and nearby water.

Russian Academic Theater named after Fyodor Volkov

First Russian public theater bears the name of Fyodor Volkov, its founder - it was founded by citizen of Yaroslavl. First play was staged on the 10th of July 1752 in leatherworks barn of his stepfather- it was 'Esther' by Jean Racin in Volkov translation. Public theater as a structure appeared much later - in 1882 - it was one of the best in Russia. Many of the famous actors started their ascension there - Strepetova, Moskvin, Leonid Sobinov. In 1909 architect Nikolay Spirin won the tender on new theater building. The building was erected in 1911. This neo-classic building is one of main city sights.

Fyodor Volkov The founder of first Russian theater had many talents: was fluent in German, was skillful at graphics and good at sciences. Catherine the Great summoned him to Saint-Petersburg in 1752.

Karabikha

State protected literary memorial is tied with the name of Nikolay Nekrasov - it is only 15 kilometers from Yaroslavl near Krasnye Tkachi village. The territory of museum includes mansion (so-called 'Big House') and additional buildings and two parks - regular park and natural park with cascade system. Firstly it belonged to Golytsyns Dynasty, but in 1861 it was bought as a summer residence by N.A. Nekrasov - the great Russian poet. Ten summer seasons (1861-1875) were spent here by poet and many masterpieces like 'Moroz the Red Nose' , 'Russian Women', 'Who can be happy in Russia' and dozens of famous poems were created here. Karabikha is the only Russian estate which is well kept and remains untouched by renovations from XVIII century. Poetry contests are held ther since 1967 yearly. It attracts the poets all over the region. Poets recite their works in historic scenery of this old mansion.