HISTORICAL HERITAGE & CHURCHES
The Yaroslavl Region is the cradle of Russia’s statehood’s, which is represented by such pearls of the Golden Ring as Yaroslavl, Pereslavl-Zalesskiy, Rostov, and Uglich.
Great Russian warlord Alexandr Nevsky spent his childhood in the region. Not an event of the Russian history passed the region. It is probably the most interesting region for traveling. And moreover, it is informative, because the Yaroslavl region is a real encyclopedia of Russian architecture: monastery complexes and classicism ensembles. For instance, there has remained an incredibly beautiful and accomplished ensemble of the 17th century mother country in Rostov, and the church of St. Ilya the Prophet in Yaroslavl.
It is difficult to limit your excursions with visiting just the regional centre. It seems the further you go, the more miracles you see. One of them is in Tutayev. The fresco has never been restored in the Church of the Ascension as it has preserved in its original.
Uglich is still sorrowful, as if it is still shadowed by its tragic history; Myshkin is light and bright with its amusing history. Rybinsk makes an impression of a merchant town, proud of unusual buildings that combine eclecticism, neo-Russian style and classicism. Poshekhonye is a sample of Russian province culture, peacefully and sometimes remedially influencing coming guests with quiet way of life.
Guides will teach you to distinguish particulars of orthodox churches based on a common plan that comes from Byzantium to the Yaroslavl region. Here as nowhere else in the country the Russian soul seems a great mystery, the solution key of which can probably be found in Orthodoxy.
The Yaroslavl region has preserved unique icons. You can see a unique image of the Savior in the Church of Resurrection in Tutayev. It is one of the biggest icons in Russia. Tutayev remains the pilgrimage destination as the icon is considered wonderworking. In winter, when the upper cathedral is closed the icon is moved to the lower one so that believers could be miraculously healed.
Just an unhurried church visit will let you feel the wisdom of the Yaroslavl painting school, which refused traditional Byzantium golden tones and replaced them with olive-green and brownish colours. Picture has become plainer that’s why icons images are so lyrical and meditative.
Churches are the Yaroslavl Region’s main possessions along with painting. They are numerous and every one is unique. For instance, there has remained the 12th century monument in Pereslavl-Zalesskiy – the Savior Transfiguration Church, which represents a four-column one-dome cathedral.
The Saviour Transfiguration Church in Yaroslavl is grand and historically important. It was here in the 18th century where “The Lay of Igor’s Campaign” was discovered. Such historical and architectural monuments can be found at every step in Yaroslavl: the Church of Yaroslavl Miracle Workers (1827), the Church of the Nativity of Christ (the beginning of the 16th century), the Steeple (the 16th century), the Church of St. Ilya the Prophet (the middle of the 17th century), the Savior Monastery and dozens of other churches and cathedrals situated in Yaroslavl and its suburbs.
The Tolgsky Monastery is another possession of the Yaroslavl land, it is famous for the history of Ivan the Terrible times: in 1553 the tsar suffering from legs disease turned to the monastery, where he was miraculously healed at the Mother of Tolga Icon on his way to the St. Cyril Monastery. This icon has remained in the Monastery up to now.
There is a piece of history behind every corner, every birch in the region. Traveler’s way is surrounded by orthodoxy and people’s histories.
Here is another one. There is a cedar grove near the Togsky Monastery. Ivan the Terrible once presented planting stocks to the monastery. There have been growing trees that don’t grow anywhere else in the Central Russia ever since. Catherine the Great and Nikolai II used to walk here; 12 lindens symbolizing 12 apostles have been planted here. Nuns make a sacred procession, by taking the icon out of the museum in honour of its miracle discovery in the grove, every year on the 21st of August.
There are enough of picturesque landscapes, silence and fresh air in the region. The Yaroslavl region has been created as though for orthodoxy travelers and also for outdoor recreation – picnics, fishing, walks in forests, which fully cover the region cut by the Volga and its feeders.
There are lakes and reservoirs on the territory of the region. The Pleshcheevo Lake has been acknowledged one of the cleanest in Russia; the territory around it is under protection and called a national park. There is an ecological path “The Pearl of Zalesye”. Experienced local guides can offer you a safe and exciting two-day trip to Barbara’s well spring, which is surrounded by many legends; to Kukhmar’ survey mark, where neolith dwelling sites were located; to the Klechinsky complex, where the Blue stone stands. The Pleshcheevo Lake is also famous for its lake herring – the “tsar herring”. Even Alexander Dumas came to Russia especially to taste it! Brackish springs well at the bottom of the lake, that’s why sea fish – lake herring – affect here. Nowadays, a set of measures is implemented to guaranty fish revival in the Pleshcheevo Lake.
The Yaroslavl region is known for its nature springs, that is why there are a lot of sanatoriums providing active water- and therapeutic mud baths here.
Whatever kind of rest you choose, you will keep the sensation of spiritual bliss and comfort.
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More information about Yaroslavl beauties see at sites:
- «The Yaroslavl Region (Landmarks of History; The Yaroslavl Region; Yaroslavl; Audio fragments)
http://www.cnit.uniyar.ac.ru/yaros/wwe00003.htm
- «Tourism in the Yaroslavl Region»
http://tourism.adm.yar.ru/indexeng.htm