Metropolitan Chambers

The Metropolitan Chambers is one of the oldest buildings in Yaroslavl, a rare example of ancient Russian civil architecture of the XVII century.This residence of Rostov Metropolitan Jonah Sysoevich was part of a large estate located near the Cathedral of the Assumption Cathedral.

Getting to know the works of the Russian Middle Ages is a rare opportunity to trace the more than 600–year history of Yaroslavl icon painting from pre-Mongol Russia to modern times.

The collection of ancient Russian art was formed in the museum in the 1920s and 1930s. At a time when churches were being destroyed in Yaroslavl, museum staff and restorers saved a large number of icons. 81 works were hidden even in the attic of the Metropolitan Chambers. They were found only in 1977, when the Old Russian department of the Yaroslavl Art Museum was opened here. Now the museum has about 2,000 icons in its collection from the XVII to the beginning of the XX century. The exhibition presents such masterpieces as the pre-Mongolian icon of the beginning of the XIII century. "The Almighty was Saved", the only icon in ancient Russian art depicting the Battle of Kulikovo "Sergius of Radonezh in the life with the Legend of the Mamaev massacre" of the XVII century.

The signature icons of Semyon Spiridonov Kholmogorets, Fyodor Zubov and the beautiful works of the masters of the Yaroslavl school of iconography of the XVII century are fascinating.