My hometown visitors guide

Yaroslav the Wise, the Kievan prince responsible for bringing Christianity

to Rus. Yaroslavl is said to have been founded when Yaroslav visited the settlement and killed the local's sacred bear with an ax.
During a surge in development during the 16th and 17th centuries, Yaroslavl rivaled Moscow in size and grandeur. Yaroslavl's oldest structures date from this time and lend the city the air of old Russia so prized in modern times.

the cultural life of Yaroslavl being the ancestor of Russian

theatre. In 1750 Fyodor Volkov founded the first Russian professional theatre in Yaroslavl.
The present building of the theatre was erected in 1911 at the place of the old theatre. Decorative design of facades was performed in neo-classicism. Sculptural composition representing muses is placed in the large arch above four-pillar portico.
Even before the October Revolution the theatre was considered to be one of the best provincial theatres. The outstanding actors M.S.Shepkin, P.A.Strepetova, I.M.Moscwin, M.N.Ermolova, K.S.Stanislavsky, V.I.Kachalov worked on its stage.

is a notable monument of the Russian Art culture of

the 17th century that has played a significant role in the development of Yaroslavl architectural and painting school. The church was built in 1647-1650 on the site of two stone temples at the account of the richest local merchants, brothers the Skripins. Initially it was situated on the territory of their estate. Yet, after Yaroslavl’s reconstruction after the plan of 1778 the Church of Elijah the Prophet became a centre of the administrative square, one of the main architectural installations of the town.Since 1920.

The Church of Elijah the Prophet is a real treasury of ancient Russian art that enshrines the memory
of the talent of many best masters: architects, painters, smiths, goldsmiths and carvers. As to the
architectural forms, wall painting and composition of icons, the temple of Elijah belongs to the most
expressive and perfect architectural ensembles of the 17th century. It is one of the Yaroslavl monument
s preserved most entirely and well.
In 1898 - 1904 the Church of Elijah the Prophet has undergone large-scale restoration works at the
account of I.A. Vakhromeyev.

Planetarium stands as a unique piece of architecture in the

middle of the city. Built in 2011, which was declared the Year of Cosmonautics in Russia, this building truly is unprecedented when it comes to the nation’s cultural and educational centres.

In a city renowned for a thousand years of history, the planetarium is almost like something out of this world compared to the other buildings in Yaroslavl. In emerald green glass, a huge cupola rises from the ground. However, the most stunning and evocative sight is when it is dark outside. The lower parts of the building are illuminated in red, whilst the dome itself is lit by multi-coloured LED lights, giving an illusion of a sphere floating through space.

was founded as the Theatre of Working Youth in January

1928. In 1934 the theatre got a permanent room and began to stage plays for children. The theatre was officially renamed the Young Spectator’s Theatre in 1937.
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In 1987 the theatre was named after the eminent Siberian playwright Alexander Vampilov. On the stage of the theatre performances for school-age children as well as plays by Russian and foreign classical authors meant for elder spectators are produced

of its powerful walls the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, laid down in

1216, was used as the acropolis and center of defense. Since that time the monastery also housed the treasury. Now it is the most interesting sight of Yaroslavl.
Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery is considered to be the oldest building in Yaroslavl. It was laid down 1216 году. The older building was only the

Assumption Cathedral, which was erected in 1215, but it was blown up in 1937,
and was reconstructed only in 2010. Now the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery
is a museum.
There are held permanent expositions, including «The Song of Igor's Campaign»
in the Bishop's House. As it is known, the only copy of this piece of the ancient
Rus' culture is kept there.