Before reading the text concentrate on the following points:
Yaroslavl is one of the most beautiful of ancient cities in Russia. The famous writer Grigoriev spoke that “Yaroslavl is unspeakably beautiful. Everywhere you can see the Volga and the History.” Yaroslavl was founded by Prince Yaroslav the Wise in 1010. The people who lived in the mouth of the Kotorosl River were pagans and they considered the bear to be a sacred animal. According to the legend Prince Yaroslav the Wise came there and killed the bear. That is why there is a bear with a pole axe on the coat of arms of Yaroslavl.
At first Yaroslavl was a wooden town. It was burnt to the ground many times. Later it became the town of rich merchants. The city was famous for its cultural traditions as well. Here was found the manuscript of the Lay of Igor’s Host, a unique masterpiece of Russian Literature of the 12th century.
In 1218 Yaroslavl became the capital of an independent principality and at that time first masonry structures were built in the town. In the 13th century Our Saviour Transfiguration Monastery was founded on the bank of the Kotorosl River to protect the town from the west. In the middle of the 15th century Yaroslavl lost its status of the capital and joined the centralized Moscow state. The economic development of Yaroslavl was followed by its rapid building.
The 17th century was the “Golden Age” of Yaroslavl art and one of the finest pages in the history of Russia. By this time a Yaroslavl architectural school had been formed. One of the most important buildings of the 17th century was the Church of Elijah the Prophet. The church is famous for its icons and frescoes. In the 17th century were also erected the Metropolitan Palace, the Cathedral of Our Saviour Transfiguration, Holy Gates, Bell Tower, Blaise Tower, the Church of Peter and Paul, Epiphany Church, the Church of Archangel Michael, Kazan Monastery and many others.
Now Yaroslavl is a gem in the Golden Ring of Russia. Thousands of tourists visit Yaroslavl every year. Among the sights of the city one can mention the Yaroslavl Art Gallery, which is situated on the Volga embankment. There one can see the portraits of Rokotov, Kiprensky, Brullov and many others. Not far from the Art Gallery there is the Summer House which has become the symbol of Yaroslavl. In the Museum of the History of Yaroslavl one can learn about the history and culture of the city. The War Memorial Museum was opened in 1981 where one can admire an interesting exhibition of maps, banners, orders, medals and photos. The People of Yaroslavl are proud of the Volkov Theatre. It was founded in 1750 by Fyodor Volkov and was the first theatre in Russia.
Yaroslavl is a big industrial centre now. There are many plants; factories in it, among them are the Tyre Plant, the Motor building Plant, the Synthetic Rubber Plant, the Oil Refinery Plant, the Footwear Factory, and the Diesel Plant. The population of Yaroslavl is over 700 000 people.
Yaroslavl has partnership with many foreign cities. In 1955 Yaroslavl joined the World Federation of United Cities and Towns. Today it has twin cities such as Exeter (the UK), Poitiers (France), Burlington (the USA), Radom (Poland), Kassel (Germany). The citizens of Yaroslavl are proud their city and in 2010 we will celebrate a millennium of Yaroslavl.