Yaroslavl is one of the oldest Russian cities. Founded by Yaroslav the Wise in the 9th century and flourishing in the 17th century, the city celebrated its millennium in 2010. The central part of the city, located at the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl rivers, is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Yaroslavl is traditionally part of the cities of the Golden Ring of Russia. In its central part, historical buildings of the 6th-19th centuries are almost completely preserved (a few new buildings are being erected mainly in the traditional architectural style). The Church of Elijah the Prophet was built in Yaroslavl in 1647-1650 and has fully preserved its original appearance to this day. Now this attraction is located in the structure of the Yaroslavl Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve, but services are still held in it. You can visit the church any day - from 10 to 18 hours, except Wednesday. The peak of Yaroslavl architecture of the 17th century, as well as a landmark recommended by UNESCO for showing to tourists, is the Church of John the Baptist. During its construction, the techniques of Yaroslavl temple architecture were used. All the walls of the church are decorated with tiles and patterns made of figured bricks. It feels like the building has been wrapped in a bright Persian carpet. The interior of the church is no less magnificent than the outside. The oldest architectural landmark of Yaroslavl is the Transfiguration Monastery, founded in 1216 by Prince Konstantin Vsevolodovich. In the 16th century, stone walls and towers were built around the monastery, as a result, it turned into a strong fortress, in which the sovereign's treasury was kept, as well as there was a streltsy garrison. Today this building houses the Yaroslavl State Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve. The temple ensemble in Korovniki is the famous pearl of Yaroslavl architecture. Consists of two churches: Vladimirsky and John Chrysostom, the facades of which are decorated with luxurious tiles. The construction of the ensemble began in 1649. The center and its main vertical is a magnificent tent-roofed bell tower (height 37 meters). From the river, the temple ensemble looks majestic and grandiose, as the Yaroslavl architects intended, creating a world-class masterpiece. The Assumption Cathedral makes an indelible impression on tourists. It is visible from afar and is very beautiful. The temple was originally built on this site in 1219. Later, in the 17th-19th centuries, a complex of a cathedral and a bell tower was formed. In 1937, the cathedral was blown up and a recreation park was laid out in its place. The new cathedral was built and consecrated in 2010. In addition to the above-mentioned temples and monasteries, in Yaroslavl there are also the Tolgsky Svyato-Vvedensky monastery, the Church of the Nativity of Christ, the Church of St., the city has a number of interesting museums: the museum of the history of the city of Yaroslavl, "My beloved Bear" (it contains toys made of wood, plush, straw, porcelain, metal); Museum-reserve N. A. Nekrasov "Karabikha"; Museum of Old Russian Art "Metropolitan Chambers"; "Museum of the hamster", etc. There is an interesting zoo in Yaroslavl, organized by landscape, with a total area of 67 hectares and containing more than a hundred species of animals. And in the dolphinarium, demonstration performances are held, as well as dolphin therapy. In 2011, a new planetarium was opened - an institution with a claim to the European level. In addition to all of the above, you can ride the Volga on a motor ship. The route takes about two hours (to Vakarevo and back) and provides an excellent opportunity to see the sights of Yaroslavl from the other side.
