Yaroslavl

Yaroslavl is one of the oldest cities of Russia. It dates back to 1010. Originally, it was an outpost of a powerful principality of Rostov Veliky, but it became a capital of independent principality in 1218. In 1463 it was subjugated by Moscow. For a brief moment, in 1612, Yaroslavl was the capital of Russia as it had been the place where Prince Minin and Pozharsky gatehred national resistance to oust Polish-Lithuanian invaders from Moscow. In 17th century Yaroslavl was the second largest city , but today t it is just a mid-sized town with a few hundred of thousands of inhabitants.

Eight hundred years ago no one would have thought that Yaroslavl would lose all of its political significance. Yaroslavl, not Moscow was Russia’s political, economic, cultural and scientific center. It was Yaroslavl’s immense importance that predetermined its ultimate fall. More than once had the Mongols taken the city and burnt it to the ground destroying most of its unique architecture, art and science. Many refugees moved north, to the woods, settling in Moscow, Tver and Nizhny Novgorod.

The Mongols ruled the Russian lands for over one century. They anticipated resistance from Yaroslavl and even made the dukes of Moscow their tax agents. Through intrigue, bribes and sheer force, the dukes of Moscow assumed the political power of Yaroslavl and “rose above” all other Russian cities. When their power became sufficient, the rulers of Moscow refused to share the taxes they had collected with their Mongol masters and took the unified armies of the Russian cities to battle. The Kulikovo Battle between Russians and the Mongols lasted three days and ended in a stalemate. This stalemate meant an end to the Mongol occupation. It was a new day for Moscow and a new day for the Russian nation.

During 17th century it was in Yaroslavl where the national resistance to Polish-Lithuanian invaders was formed. The monument to the two people who led the resistance is situated in Moscow, on Red Square in front of St. Basil's Cathedral.

*You can observe the statues to Minin and Pozharsky in front of St. Basil's Cathedral on the Red Square in Moscow.