To Yaroslavl for the weekend

Yaroslavl Museum-Reserve

The Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, which is also called the Yaroslavl Kremlin, is located in the very heart of the city, at the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl rivers. Now there are numerous displays and exhibitions of the Yaroslavl State Museum-Reserve.

In the interior of the Transfiguration Cathedral, which is the oldest building in the city, rare frescoes from the mid-16th century by Yaroslavl masters have been preserved. Not far from the temple there is a monastery belfry, to the top of which a narrow twisted staircase leads. Be sure to go up to the observation deck – from a height of 32 meters there is a magnificent view of the historical center of Yaroslavl.

Volzhskaya embankment in Yaroslavl is two-level. Walking along the lower part, you can admire up close the main Russian river and the boats sailing along it. There's a better view from above — The majestic Volga panorama appears from here in full view.

Long the Volzhskaya embankment there are merchant mansions and estates, many of which are now museums. The Yaroslavl Art Museum (the building of the former Governor's House) displays paintings by Repin, Bryullov, Kramskoy, Aivazovsky and other famous painters. The Museum of the History of Yaroslavl, located in the former mansion of the merchant Kuznetsov, contains archaeological finds, rare coins, and ancient engravings. Located on the territory of the former estate of the merchant Vakhromeyev, the Museum “Music and Time” –  Russia’s first private museum with an extensive collection of musical instruments and other interesting things from bygone eras.

Park on Strelka

Yaroslavl Strelka – a small triangular cape at the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl, the oldest historical part of the city. The landscaped park, arranged taking into account the natural relief, has two levels – upper and lower terraces.

The architectural dominant of the upper part of the park – The monumental white stone Assumption Cathedral, restored in 2010. The lower terrace is decorated with “singing” and "dancing" color-musical fountains, bright flower beds and a 20-meter marble column dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of the city. 

Yaroslavl – the undisputed record holder for the number of surviving monuments of ancient Russian architecture. Thanks to the abundance of ancient churches and cathedrals, the historical center of the city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. 

Red brick Church of the Epiphany (Bogoyavlenskaya Square, 12) – a striking example of Russian patterning with rich facades and carved decor. The pediment of the white stone church with figured green domes of the Church of Elijah the Prophet (Sovetskaya Square, 7) is decorated with beautiful frescoes and multi-colored tiles. Church of Peter and Paul (Petropavlovsky Park St., 25a) – one of the most unusual in Yaroslavl: the temple, built in the style of Peter the Great's Baroque, is reminiscent of the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg.