(OBLAST BY OBLAST)
Yaroslavl
yaroslavl – ярославль
Yaroslavl was founded in 1010. In the 16-17th centuries Yaroslavl was the second-biggest city in Russia. The city being the major port on the Volga River prospered on trade with the Middle East and Europe. Prosperous merchants built churches in great numbers to pray away their sins. Some of those merchant churches still decorate the city. The central part is dotted with onion domes and towering spires.
The 1650 Church of Elijah the Prophet stands in the central square.
A WWII memorial and the Assumption Cathedral in the background.
The original cathedral was built in 1215. It was destroyed in Soviet time and restored in 2010 for Yaroslavl's 1,000th anniversary.
The 12th century Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior. The oldest surviving structures date back to 1516.
The 1657 Archangel Michael Church.
The 1695 St. Nicholas Church.
The confluence of the Volga and the Kotorosl Rivers makes an enjoyable walking area.
The digits below the bear - the city's coat of arms - show Yaroslavl's age. In 2019 it was 1009 years old.
The statue of Prince Yaroslav the Wise the founder of Yaroslavl.
YAROSLAVL oblast – ЯРОСЛАВская область
uglich – углич
Uglich located about 100 km west of Yaroslavl is one of the oldest Russian towns. According to the chronicles it was founded in 937. Currently it is a quiet town with a small photogenic kremlin. The kremlin was the scene of a crime that had a big impact on the history of Russia. On May 15, 1591 Dmitry the heir to the Russian throne the youngest son of the already late Czar Ivan the Terrible was found dead in the yard of the house where he lived with his mother. The official version saying that the boy was playing with a dagger and fell on it in a fit of epilepsy was not accepted by the masses. A high-ranking nobleman Boris Godunov brother-in-law of Ivan the Terrible was believed to be behind the killing. A rebellion followed against Boris which he suppressed. The bell that was used to call people to rise against Godunov was severely punished by the latter. The bell was publicly flogged, detongued and banished for 300 years to Siberia. Click on Tobolsk Page to see where the bell stayed in exile. Later in early 17th century a string of false Dmitrys appeared claiming the Russian throne. This violent and turbulent period of the history of Russia (1598 - 1613) is called the Time of Trouble.
The Volzhskaya Riviera Hotel is comfortable and stands next to the historic kremlin.
The entrance to the kremlin.
The 1713 Transfiguration Cathedral in winter ...
... and in summer.
In rays of the setting sun.
The Cathedral's reflection.
The 1480 Prince's Chambers where the young Dmitry lived.
The statue of Dmitry.
The dagger the boy allegedly fell on.
The 1692 Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood was built on the spot where the boy's body was found.
rybinsk – рыбинск
Rybinsk is located 80 km north-west of Yaroslavl. The city was founded in 1071. It can be considered as a destination for a day trip from Yaroslavl. The city extends for 21 km along the Volga River. Part of it is a pleasant riverside promenade. Besides, Rybinsk has a well-preserved and renovated historic centre.
The 1838 Transfiguration Cathedral.
The former Bread Exchange built in 1912.
Admiral Fyodor Ushakov. See Mordovia Republic page for more details on Ushakov.
One of few Lenins in winter outfit is in Rybinsk.
tutayev – тутаев
This old town was first mentioned in chronicles in 1238. Tutayev is much less touristy than Rybinsk let alone Yaroslavl but has provincial charm, old churches and photogenic vistas. The main sight of interest is the colorful 1652 Resurrection Cathedral.
Every square inch of its interior is covered with late 17th century frescoes.
The frescoes depict quite a number of naked ladies with tits and occasionally pussies.
Tutayev straddles the Volga River. Take a look at the opposite (left) side dotted with old churches.
The 1758 Transfiguration Church.
The 1751 Archangel Church.
The 1783 Trinity Church.
The 1658 Cross Exaltation Cathedral.
Click on Golden Ring page to see the historic towns of Pereslavl-Zalessky and Rostov Veliky.
