Location: Yaroslavl
Top Things to do in Yaroslavl
- 1. Yaroslavl Embankment
- 2. Vvedenskiy Tolga Convent
- 3. Monument to Afonya And Plasterer Kolya
- 4. St. John the Baptist Church
- 5. The Church of Ilya the Prophet
- 6. Private Museum Music and Time
- 7. Strelka Fountains
- 8. Yaroslavl Art Museum
- 9. Spassky (St Saviour) Monastery
- 10. Einstein's Entertaining Sciences Museum
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10 Things to Do in Yaroslavl That You Shouldn't Miss
Bordered by the Kotorosl and Volga rivers, the historic city center of Yaroslavl is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The religious architecture is breathtaking and surreal, especially the emerald-domed Church of Elijah the Prophet and the gilded towers of the Assumption Cathedral. Numerous theaters, a philharmonic, a planetarium and a permanent circus round out the city’s art scene. Keep an eye on the time: Every hour on the hour, the proud namesake of the Monument to Bear statue gives a triumphant roar.
Restaurants in Yaroslavl
1. Yaroslavl Embankment
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By retireeVancouver - Vancouver
,I strolled just a short section of this embankment Promenade, probably the prettiest part. This section overlooked the Yaroslavl Millennium Park with its Fountains and Yaroslavl Millennium Monument and was in the vicinity of the Assumption Church. Along this stretch a white columnar folly looking like a small Greek Temple was an obvious sight. Couples liked to attach locks on the black wrought iron fence that surrounded it as a show of their love for each other. Many of the locks have inscriptions making this an interesting stop. At this point on the walkway, a good view of the many green domes of the St. John Church can be seen and makes for a good photo with the Yaroslavl Millennium Monument in the foreground. Some vendors have kiosks with souvenirs for sale along here. The area is attractive with several floral beds filled with colorful seasonal annuals; one even had a design of Yaroslavl's symbol, the brown bear in it. The walkway at this point was treed, shady, with nice views either to the park and the Assumption Church, over to the spit and the Church of St. John, or along the Volga River with its industrial section evident in the distance. The evenly paved walkway was wide so dodging others on it was not an issue. I enjoyed my short time on the Yaroslavl Promenade and the sights seen from several vantage points.
2. Vvedenskiy Tolga Convent
Overall Ratings
5 based on 416 reviews
Reviewed By Dona_Natasha - Suwon, South Korea
The most beautiful monastry in this region. White swans and black swans are playing in the pond. Very famous Tolgaski icon you can see. Calm and pure atmosphere. You can say you've been in Russian monastry if you've been here any once. You can feel satisfaction mentally in your mind when you step out from this holy place.
3. Monument to Afonya And Plasterer Kolya
Overall Ratings
5 based on 110 reviews
Reviewed By Nick V
If you are a fan of old Russian movies, or simply watched the old Soviet film "Afonya", then this small monument might be of interest to you. Located in the alleys behind the Alyosha Popovich Dvor hotel (near the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery) right by the Afonya cafe, it's a dedication to the two beloved characters from the Russian film with the same name. As the story has it – the film tells us about plumber Afanasiy Boschyov, and even though it's never stated in the movie, it is known, that many places in Yaroslavl were filmed for "Afonya" in 1974.
4. St. John the Baptist Church
Overall Ratings
5 based on 293 reviews
Reviewed By retireeVancouver - Vancouver
There is a fine view of the many domes of this church from Yaroslavl's embankment walkway that overlooks Strelka/Yaroslavl's Millennium Park. The domes probably are the thing that most people want to see of this church and this view from the park was the closest I got to that church since I was on a guided excursion with limited time in Yaroslavl. In my picture, the domes are visible as a background to the slender Yaroslavl Millennium Monument - an attractive photo composition. The church's 5 major green domes topped with gold crosses were visible with another larger dome and some smaller domes too which were partially hidden by trees. The short reddish brown pedestals or drums for these domes were a nice contrast to these green domes. I thought their surfaces had attractive textured details as did a small tented roof placed on one side, lower than the domes. City tours usually stop for a view of the Millennium Monument in the park and that might be your only opportunity, like mine, for a photo of that church. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the city cut down more of those trees in the empty river lot in the foreground so that a much better view of these domes could be had?
5. The Church of Ilya the Prophet
Overall Ratings
5 based on 473 reviews
Reviewed By retireeVancouver - Vancouver
The Church of Elijah is located in Yaroslav's Soveskaya square in the old town. This 17th century church is easily recognized by its interesting exterior - 5 green domes trimmed with a gold band and topped with gold crosses, a gracefully tapered bell tower, and a tent tower with a textured roof. The elegant drums of the domes are finished with arched knobby columns and slits for windows that are a textural contrast to the smooth white plastered exterior walls. These towers and domes are best appreciated and photographed from the center of the square. From that viewpoint, the intricate black grill and multicolored tile work that surrounds the entrance can also be seen.
The magnificently frescoed interiors, however, are the reason for visiting this church museum. There is an admission (100 rubles), no camera fee, and photos can be taken inside. The frescoes on the walls and ceiling in the front hall are a prelude to those inside the church. The 5 tiered gilt iconostasis immediately grabs visitor's attention upon entering the church. Each icon is separated by an intricate wood carved divider, columnar in shape and trimmed in gold and silver. This trim, featuring oak leaves and clusters of grapes, is heaviest around the central arched door and the 3 extra large icons placed immediately overhead. A similar pattern of gilt and silver carvings acts as a rail between the rows of icons. The icons are really too high up to examine the faces of the saints/prophets closely, but they do represent icon painting style of the 17th century, popular when this church was built - gilt backgrounds with solemn single figures dressed in reds, blues, gold, and black who often hold a scroll. The colors of these cleaned icons were bright. These figures faced either to the right or to left of the central door in the iconostasis.
The second impression is the overwhelming amount of frescoes painted continuously on the walls and ceiling. Even the window wells have images around them. These images tell the life story of Elijah, but interestingly enough, the artist has inserted scenes of everyday Russian peasant life into some of the frescoes. For example, one side wall shows peasants harvesting wheat, a pair of oxen are ploughing a field, a child is getting bathed in a pool in the square, the male figures are dressed as Russian courtiers complete with fur lined pointy hats. Eastern Orthodox churches or Castles with towers faintly appear in the background amid evergreen trees and flying birds from the region. I did recognize some of the biblical stories that also cover the walls in mural style where the images merge together rather than appear in separate frames. It's too time consuming to try to identify each story, but some that were dominant were the burning bush, the Virgin on a donkey perhaps on her way to Egypt, a dinner around a table maybe the Last Supper, Christ in his burial shroud, and the risen Christ revealing himself to his apostles. These murals were painted in 4 rows from floor to ceiling. Brass chandeliers, hung from the ceiling, blended into the umber, blues and reds used in the frescoes. Also, there were 4 columns that had 3 tiers, each showing 1 large single religious figure. All 4 sides of the columns were decorated in that manner.
While there are no seats in Eastern Orthodox churches, there was an intricately carved canopied seat for the Tsar right in front of the iconostasis, should he ever visit this church. We spent about 30 minutes in this church and, then, proceeded to the fresh fruit and vegetable market and an out-door dry goods marketplace nearby.
For me, this memorable church was a highlight of my Scenic river cruise to Yaroslavl. I think that the Church on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg was the only other church so magnificently decorated with frescoes. No group sang for us as the church had to be specially opened for our group due to an armed forces graduation ceremony occurring in the square out front.
6. Private Museum Music and Time
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 586 reviews
Reviewed By Mariya L - Yaroslavl, Russia
Интересный музей, где представлены коллекции музыкальных инструментов, колокольчиков, утюгов. Во время экскурсии вам сыграют на всём этом (кроме утюгов). When you want to broad your knowledge in history to the accompaniment of musical instruments from the last century it's the best place for you!
7. Strelka Fountains
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 577 reviews
Reviewed By YTCHENG - Hong Kong, China
The park locates at the junction of River Volga and River Korostel and renovated in 2010. The park is very pleasant with Fountains, flags, Fountains and lawn planters and will be crowded with locals during holidays and weekends in summer time particularly when the sun shines. You can get impressive views of the park at the upper level of river embankment overlooking the whole of park from high above. Highly recommended if you have time to spare from your river cruise trip.
8. Yaroslavl Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 184 reviews
Reviewed By SvetlanaMosowRussia - Mosow Russia
This building is the former home of the Yaroslavl General-Governor and is maintained with great care. It offers a very interesting collections of paintings (mostly by Russian artists), many of which are real masterpieces. It also has a very beautiful garden with the exhibition of the garden sculptures and overlooks the breathtaking Volga river embankment. If you are lucky, you may also watch a short chamber music concert in the ball-room. An extremely nice place worth visiting!
9. Spassky (St Saviour) Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 205 reviews
Reviewed By BusyFlyingAround - Singapore, Singapore
So, you go to Yaroslavl to see onion domes and old historic things, you’ve got to come here.
You buy the tickets at the entry and might as well pay the full 500 RUB to get entrance to everything within the compound. There are about a dozen different things to see, including the bell tower and various other buildings. A lady checks your ticket at each of these buildings and the 500 RUB ticket gives you access to everything. Since you should see everything t the monastery, just splurge on the 500 RUB ticket and see everything as there is little else to do there and no point just waiting in the garden.
Lots of oldie kind of things to see and religious paraphernalia. The bell tower gives a good view of the city. Facilities are well kept. The most unfortunate part is that NOTHING is in English except for the most basic, basic, basic of things. Unfortunately, I left with no greater understanding of the monastery or its role in Yaroslavl than I did from the guidebook.
I recommend the Ivan Vasilyevich restaurant in Yaroslavl – a bright light in an otherwise dull city.
10. Einstein's Entertaining Sciences Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 197 reviews
The Einstein Science Museum was opened in Yaroslavl in October 2013. It is an interactive Science Museum. The main emphasis of the Museum is put on a family vacation. All Museum exhibits are current, they do not gather dust behind a fence. The visitors are encouraged to touch the exhibits or to participate in physical experiments. The slogan of the Museum is "Play is the highest stage of scientific research." (C) Albert Einstein. The main characteristic of the Museum is that the guide tells the visitors about all the exhibits in eight halls. The excursion takes one hour after which the visitors are given unlimited time in the Museum to an independent, more detailed study of the exhibits. Photo and video includes the price of the ticket. The Museum regularly hosts events that attract a large number of the visitors. On the Museum territory a kids cafe is situated. The visitors can have a rest, eat cakes and ice cream, drink a milk shake or a cup of delicious coffee. The café also hosts birthdays, parties and events (chemical show, interesting experiments, the ceremony of "the Enchanted island tea", etc.). The large selection of interesting souvenirs is not indifferent to visitors. A flexible system of discounts let to visit the Museum to people of different incomes.
Reviewed By 807Nadia807 - Moscow, Russia
Интересно будет именно детишкам дошкольного и младшего школьного возраста. Для взрослых не так интересно и шумновато. Попали в праздники-народу уйма, даже близко к экспонатам не подойдешь... Музей, безусловно, очень нужный для детей, полезный. Прекрасные экскурсоводы, их много и говорят они громко) Экспонаты выглядят потрепанными, многие на ремонте(
Цена для льготников всего на 10% меньше, чем обычный билет(((
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