Visit Yaroslavl in Russia | Top Attractions & Best Things To Do

Yaroslavl, Russia

Yaroslavl, Russia

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About Yaroslavl

About Yaroslavl

Yaroslavl is a town of unsurpassed beauty. Everywhere is The Volga, and everywhere in history. The city is over 1000 years old and was founded by Yaroslav, the son of Russia’s first Christian grand prince Vladimir the Great. Yaroslav landed here in 1010 to suppress a hostile pagan tribe that raided passing merchants.

In defense, the tribe released their secret weapon, a sacred bear with a taste for human warriors. Yaroslav later called “Yaroslav the Wise,” merely grabbed an ax and dropped it with one blow. As a result, the city's coat of arms today features a bear carrying an ax.

At first, the city served as an outpost of the principality of Veliky Rostov, a river port further down the Volga. Later it became a separate state, a vassal under the pre-Mongol Russian grand principality in 1218. And after Kiev was sacked in 1242, Yaroslavl grew rapidly in importance. Eventually, Yaroslavl became Russia’s political, economic, cultural, and technological center.

Reasons to travel to Yaroslavl

Despite all the raids, most of the city’s great sights remained almost untouched. Set securely in a triangle defined in part by the junction of the Kotorosl and the Volga rivers. This is where visitors will find the most picturesque of the city’s monuments: the Church of Ilya (or Elijah) the Prophet, the Church of the Archangel Michael, and the Alexander Nevsky Chapel.

Another important cultural treasure is the art gallery, set in the old Governor’s Building, that holds a collection of over 60,000 icons, masterpieces of visual arts, sculpture, and handicrafts, some dating as far back as the 13th century.

What is more the mid-sized city of 600,000 also takes pride in giving birth to many famous sons and daughters, among the most renown of which is the world’s first woman to go to space - Valentina Tereshkova.

Everything said above is a nice ground for your upcoming Yaroslavl trip which will definitely leave you with truly memorable impressions.

Best Things to Do in Yaroslavl

  • Explore the amazing monasteries and churches of charming Yaroslavl
  • Have a stroll along the Volga River promenade
  • Enjoy a visit to a large Yaroslavle zoo
Best Tours to Yaroslavl
Top Attractions in Yaroslavl

Top Attractions in Yaroslavl

Founded in 862, fabulous Rostov the Great or Rostov Veliky (do not confuse it with Rostov-on-Don) is situated on the shores of the sparkling Lake Nero and is known as a tourist center of the famous Golden Ring itinerary.

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All Attractions in Yaroslavl

All Attractions in Yaroslavl

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