Welcome to the Yaroslavl Region

waypoints

• 1. Yaroslavl

  • Ярославская обл., г. Ярославль
  • 5 h

  

  photo: The Yaroslavl MDG / Photo Bank

  

  Legend tells of the Prince's valiant battle with a ferocious bear at the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl rivers, after which, in commemoration of his triumph, he decreed the construction of a mighty fortress.

  The sacred Tolga Monastery, the Church of Elijah the Prophet, and the revered Feodorovskaya Mother of God, along with many other splendid temples, captivate the eye with their beauty and elevate the soul with divine light. Visitors find themselves reluctant to depart from the city's hallowed museums. The first drama theatre in all of Russia, named in honor of Fyodor Volkov, fills its halls to capacity season after season. Admirers from across the realm come to witness the prowess of the hockey club «Lokomotiv» in their matches. Truly, the inhabitants of Yaroslavl extend their warmest hospitality to all who visit.

• 2. Rostov

  • Ярославская обл., Ростовский р-н., г. Ростов
  • 5 h

  

  photo: The Yaroslavl MDG / Archive

  

  Rostov the Great, one of the most ancient cities within Russia's Golden Ring, was first chronicled in the year 862, though archaeological findings suggest that a fortified settlement stood here as early as the 7th century. Throughout the ages, Rostov flourished as a vital center of politics and culture. Situated along the shores of Lake Nero, the city was the heart of the Rostov Principality for two centuries, beginning in the era of the legendary Rurik. Rostov is a city of deep faith and artistic brilliance. The grand churches and the imposing Rostov Kremlin were raised under the blessing of the Metropolitans. The city’s merchants also played a key role in its development; the Rostov Fair of the 19th century was one of the grandest in the Russian Empire, and the city's enamelwork was held in the highest esteem across the land. The golden-horned deer, gifted by Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, the first of the Romanov dynasty, stands as the enduring symbol of Rostov. Rostov reveres its heritage with great care. The city is home to 326 cultural monuments, over one hundred of which bear federal significance. This city serves as an ideal location for film-making. Since the 1930s, its rich history and unique charm have attracted filmmakers, making Rostov the backdrop for countless films. Come to Rostov the Great and lose yourself in its timeless history, its magnificent culture, architecture, and the spirit of antiquity!

• 3. Uglich

  • Ярославская обл., Угличский р-н., г. Углич
  • 5 h

  

  photo: The Yaroslavl MDG / Archive

  

  The origins of the name Uglich are shrouded in mystery, some tracing it to local charcoal burners, while others link it to the curve of the Volga River. Local lore claims that the city was established in 937 as «Uglich Field». In 1591, tragedy struck when Tsarevich Dmitry perished here, an event that altered the course of Russian history and sparked the Time of Troubles. The «Uglich Case», the oldest investigative case in Russia, continues to intrigue those fascinated by historical mysteries. Uglich's unofficial symbol is the watch, once manufactured here. Visitors may explore the watch museum to view legendary timepieces and delve into the secrets of the city’s revived cheesemaking traditions.
  

• 4. Rybinsk

  • Ярославская обл., Рыбинский р-н., г. Рыбинск
  • 5 h

  

  photo: The Yaroslavl MDG / Archive

  

  It received its city status from Catherine the Great, who also approved a coat of arms featuring sterlets, symbolizing the fish supplied to the royal table. By the 19th century, Rybinsk became a hub for grain trade and earned the nickname «Capital of the Barge Haulers». Its economy flourished through industry and services. Interestingly, this city is also known for giving rise to some of the founders of Hollywood. Today, the heart of Rybinsk is adorned with 19th-century architecture, presenting itself as a living open-air museum of antiquity. The city is well-known for its beaches, sailing, and its memory of the underwater city of Mologa, preserved at the Mologa Region Museum. Rybinsk offers numerous attractions, including the beautiful embankment, Red Square, the Transfiguration Cathedral, the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and its impressive railway station.

• 5. Pereslavl-Zalessky

  • Ярославская обл., г. Переславль-Залесский
  • 5 h

  

  photo: The Yaroslavl MDG / Archive

  

  It was founded by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, the same ruler credited with the founding of Moscow. The legendary Alexander Nevsky was born here, and Dmitry Donskoy gathered his boyars in this city to plan the resistance against the Golden Horde. Pereslavl is located on the shores of Lake Pleshcheyevo, now a protected national park known for its pristine ecosystem. The vendace fish, once served to royalty, is featured on the city’s coat of arms, and the Rybnaya Sloboda area is considered one of its most beautiful. The city is also the birthplace of the Russian fleet, with Peter the Great launching his first ships here. Pereslavl is home to six monasteries and nine churches, including the 12th-century Transfiguration Cathedral.

• 6. Danilov

  • Ярославская обл., Даниловский р-н., г. Данилов
  • 5 h

  

  photo: The Yaroslavl MDG / Archive

  

  Danilov, a city with deep historical roots dating back to the reign of Grand Duke Vasily II the Dark, played a significant role during the Time of Troubles. Known initially as the village of Danilovskoye, its residents gained recognition for their military achievements, notably defeating the Polish troops of False Dmitry II at the Pelenga River. In 1777, Danilov received its city status, and its coat of arms features a chessboard, symbolizing a legendary gift from the locals to Peter the Great. Danilov is steeped in folklore and craftsmanship. Tales about the master Vasilyushka's famous kopyls (wooden containers) and the special Krasilov axes, reputed to have been soaked in oatmeal jelly for strength, are well known. The city is also noted for its tea traditions, the production of Yaroslavl samovars, and its gingerbread. One unique local delicacy is the Danilov onion, used as a substitute for Easter eggs since the 16th century by the elder Kapiton.Danilov has also produced notable figures in Russian theater and film, including actors Alexey Smirnov, Tatyana Doronina, and Yuri Lyubimov. City tours focusing on their lives and work are popular attractions for visitors.

• 7. Lyubim

  • Ярославская обл., Любимский р-н., г. Любим
  • 5 h

  

  photo: The Yaroslavl MDG / Archive

  

  Some believe its name derives from an influential local landowner, while others link it to the falconry of Ivan the Terrible, who enjoyed the area's natural beauty. Historically, the Lyubim fortress played a crucial role in defending the borders of the Moscow state, and by the 19th century, Lyubim became a prosperous logistics hub on the Upper Volga. The city earned its official status in 1777. The Lyubimites became known for their hospitality, opening inns both locally and in the capital. The residents often joke: «Yalta is by the sea, Lyubim is on the Obnora», a playful reference to their city's coziness and welcoming atmosphere.

• 8. Gavrilov-Yam

  • Ярославская обл., Гаврилов-Ямский р-н., г. Гаврилов-Ям
  • 5 h

  

  photo: The Yaroslavl MDG / Archive

  

  For centuries, the village remained almost unchanged. During the reign of Ivan the Terrible, only seven households existed, and by the time of Nicholas I, the number had grown to just 20. However, its fortunes shifted dramatically in the 19th century, particularly with the reign of Alexander II. Merchant Alexey Lokalov opened a mechanical flax spinning mill, which transformed the town. Infrastructure improved with the establishment of a hospital, school, and power plant, and the town became a center for skilled labor, which led to the rise of local sports, including the first football field in 1912.

  In the 20th century, Gavrilov-Yam became an industrial hub with a machine-building plant and was officially granted city status in 1938. Despite its development, the town continues to honor its origins as a center for coachmen. The largest Coachman Museum in Russia is located here, and Gavrilov-Yam annually hosts a coachman song festival celebrating this integral part of its heritage.

• 9. Poshekhonye

  • Ярославская обл., Пошехонский р-н., г. Пошехонье
  • 5 h

  

  photo: The Yaroslavl MDG / Archive

  

  The city's name is derived from the Sheksna River. Though Poshekhonye is younger than some neighboring towns, it gained prominence during the reign of Empress Elizabeth, who bestowed the area to her guards. The new landowners of Poshekhonye were known for their eccentricities, and the locals became the subject of jokes and satires in the 19th century. Poshekhonye was famed for producing silver and gold leaf, as well as its skilled blacksmiths and shoemakers. In the 20th century, the city became known for the creation of «Poshekhonsky» cheese, which remains one of its primary associations today, eclipsing its earlier literary fame linked to the works of Saltykov-Shchedrin.
  

• 10. Tutaev

  • Ярославская обл., Тутаевский р-н., г. Тутаев
  • 5 h

  

  photo: The Yaroslavl MDG / Archive

  

  Founded by Roman Vladimirovich, the Prince of Uglich, it was initially called Romanov. His son, Prince Vasily Groznye Ochi, expanded the city, making it the capital of the Romanov principality. Shipbuilding, particularly the production of the famous «Romanovka» fast boats, became a vital industry here. In the reign of Ivan the Terrible, the Tatar nobility, having accepted Russian citizenship, settled in Romanov, establishing the Yusupov princely family and developing sheep breeding. In 1822, Romanov merged with the neighboring town Borisoglebsk to form Romanov-Borisoglebsk, renamed Tutaev in 1918 after a fallen Red Army soldier. Tutaev retains its craft heritage and rich traditions to this day.
  

• 11. Myshkin

  • Ярославская обл., Мышкинский р-н., г. Мышкин
  • 5 h

  

  photo: The Yaroslavl MDG / Archive

  

  The city of Myshkin, whose name is linked to a legend about a mouse saving Prince Fyodor Mstislavsky from a snake bite, was a thriving center of trade and industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Myshkin became renowned for its linen manufactories and its bustling Volga fairs. Today, it is a museum-city, largely dedicated to the mouse, its symbolic animal. The city features the world’s only Mouse Museum and is known for its welcoming, fairy-tale atmosphere.