Yaroslavl

Museums:

Art museum

Yaroslavl Art Museum was founded on the 5th of December in 1919 by Gubernian department of public education. It began its work in March 1920 by moving exhibition in the Yaroslavl Big manufacture. The main part of museum collection was formed from collections:

*  Yaroslavl Society of protection of art works

*  Yaroslavl Art Society

*  State museum funds

*  Private collections

The museum is proud of the most complete collection of K.Korovin canvases of the late period of his creative activity. This collection is the only one of this kind in Russia.
Among the museum exhibits one can see West European furniture of the 16-18th centuries, Russian and European rewards and memorable medals of 18-19th centuries.

Memorial House-Museum of L.V.Sobinov

Memorial Museum of L.Sobinov was opened in 1995 in the house where the famous opera singer was born. The Sabinovs had been living there from the middle of the 19th century. Photos of the singer in life and in the roles, documents, scenic suits and theatrical requisitions, gramophone records are represented in the permanent exposition.

There is a small concert hall in the Museum; concerts of chamber music are held there.

Historical museum

The Museum is situated in the Volga embankment in the former merchant's private house.The house was built in 1893. It presents the "eclecticism" style and is itself the part of the historical collection of the Museum. It belonged to the First Guild merchant V. Ya. Kouznetsov. The interior of the house, its layout, the gorgeous decoration of the rooms, the splendid courtyard - everything creates the special atmosphere for the visitors.   The Museum was organized first as the branch of the Regional History and Architecture Reserve in 1985. It has become the independent museum since 1999. The main idea of the expositions is the history of Yaroslavl and stages of development of medical service in the locality:The Town in the history of Russia - the Person in the History of the Town.

Yaroslavl State Historical and Architectural Museum - Preserve

Yaroslavl State Historical and Architectural Museum - Preserve was founded in 1865 as a museum of local Society of natural history. Sins 1959 it is located on the territory of former Spassky monastery. The collections of the museum number over 275.000 exhibits. It has collections of rare books, manuscripts, textiles, icons. ets. There are departments of local history, nature, ancient Russian art and literature. The latter is devoted to masterpiece of Russian literature - "The lay of Igor's Host", a unique sample of the 12th century Russian literature. The architectural ensemble of the former monastery comprises the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Savior built in 1506-1516, Holy Gates, Refectory, Bell Tower. The branches of museum are the Church of St. Elijah the Prophet, the Church of St. Nicholas Nadein, the Church of St. John the Baptist, the Church of the Epiphany. They are opened for tourists for summer. The museum arranges traditional annual festival of bell music, various thematic days and makets. Over 300000 tourists visit our museum every year.

Sights:

Savior Monastery

The Savior monastery is Yaroslavl's the oldest architectural ensemble, with the history, traced from the latter, half of the 12th century. Its basic stone structures were raised in the 16th and 17th centuries, when the monastery served as a stronghold and an important link in the town fortifications.

In 1787, the monastery became the residence of the Metropolitan of Rostov and Yaroslavl. In connection with this some alterations where made in the late 18th and 19th centuries. In 1918, some buildings were seriously damaged as a result of fighting during the revolt. Systematic restorative works were carried on from 1918 till 1930. In 1956, they were resumed and are still in progress now.The great amount of tourists visits our museum every year.

Church of the Prophet Elijah

The church was erected in 1647-1650 with the funds provided by wealthy and influential Yaroslavl merchants Skripins. The church being typical in its general composition is distinguished for its harmony of independent units and extreme picturesque of the structure as a whole. It is a massive cross-domed four-pier building placed on podlet and surmounted by domes. The church is surrounded on the north and on the west by two-stage gallery-parvis. On the south the chapel of the Intercession is attached to the main building (a heated church). The north parvis has a small chapel consecrated to SS Gury, Simeon and Aviv. The architecture of the chapel is not typical for Yaroslavl; it is surmounted with a staged pyramid of kokoshnik over arches and small dome the carved iconostasis is worth admiration indeed. This masterpiece of Moscow Baroque was made in 1696. Gilded grapes, flowers covering piers and cornices resemble a large beautiful lace-like curtain rather than carving. This curtain separates altar from the church itself. Behind the iconostasis there is altar canopy with dome-shaped terminal, being the unique work of Yaroslavl carvers of the XVII century.

However the real treasure in the church of the Prophet Elijah is painting. The frescoes of the church were painted during two summer seasons of 1680-1681 by well-known Kostroma masters Guri Nikitin and Sila Savin with their friends, among them there were Yaroslavl masters. While passing through the beautiful and festive entrance one cannon help being highly impressed with bright many-colored symphony of frescoes covering the entire space of the church like a colorful carpet from the walls to the spaces between windows, from the gently rising low vaults to the broad beveling of the windows, piers and portals. The painting of the chapel and the gallery was performed later. It involves scenes from the "Apocalypse". The church of the Prophet Elijah was damaged greatly in 1918 White- Guard revolt. At present the monument was imparted the original appearance after the restoration carried out in 1957-1960.

Church of SS Elijah and Tychon

Church of SS Elijah and Tychon (1825-1831). The church of SS Elijah and Tychon (1825-1831) is out of few structures remained of Yaroslavl Kremlin. It is built in Classicism on the place of an old church of the XVII century. Church facades are provided with tall many-pillared porticoes of Corinphian order with triangular pediments. The building is terminated by a round drum with dome. The west front is provided by a large open main stairs. First two square towers-belfries were at the corners (dismantled in XX century). Facades have many-pillared porticoes; triangular pediments are finished by a round drum with a dome. There were two high towers on west side of the stairs (not preserved). The monument is one of interesting on the Volga Embankment, restored in the 1970's.

Spassky-monastery

Novo-Spassky monastery is one of the most ancient monasteries of Russia. Boyars Romanov chose it as a burial place for their family members. At the same place Sheremetiev's and Gallitzin’s family members were buried. The grand duke Sergey Alexandrovitch was buried in the family burial vault of Romanov there.

The cross, made in according to the sketch of Vasnetsov under the highest blessing of All-Russia Patriarch Alexiy II was transferred from the Kremlin territory to the territory of the monastery to the 2000 anniversary of Russia christening. Forms interpretation and color spectrum of that composition themes underlined richness of content and high spirituality of Christian dogma. Each painter inspired by the great idea of Orthodoxy, serving to God and people, expressed classic traditions.

Combination of Old Russian icon painting and academic school traditions, conformity of each element of wall painting to the church canons are realized by painters Alexander Krestovsky, Dmitry Lisichenko-Lisitsa, Polina Lomakina, Andrew Rogov, Elena Terekhova and Elena Kostrova. The great amount of tourists visits our church-museum every year.

Holy Gates of Spassky Monastery

Holy Gates were constructed in 1516. Originally it was a fortress tower with two arch gates: the first wide passage-way was used as a maim entrance (in 1564 it was decorated with painting) the second narrow passage way was used for everyday needs. The upper part of the tower was provided with merlots and loop holes; additional fortification passage way with loop holes was attached to the south side of the wall. In the 1620's the over-gate church of the Introduction in the Temple with an open gallery and a gabled tower were built. In 1779 the fortification passage was dismantled and in 1818 the walls of the Holy Gates were increased in height. At present the monument of defensive work is partially restored.

Church of the Apparition of Christ

Church of the Apparition of Christ (1684-1693) has the appearance in many ways different from other monuments of Yaroslavl architecture of the XVII century.

Following the principles of Moscow architecture school the builder of this church abandoned the traditional Yaroslavl construction with four piers in the flavor of pier less church covered by joined vault. Two stages of massive kokoshniks serve an intermediate step leading to almost flat roofing with five small domes on blind drums. Polychrome tiling used in the decoration of the church was the first example of this kind in Yaroslavl architecture. The tiling is used for decoration of friezes of the central cube and galleries; they decorate the dome drums and window surrounds the entry porch and the belfry. Bright multicolored plates successfully match the red background of the church walls. High and light interior is painted in 1692-1693. The best masters of that time Dmitry Grigorjev Plekhanov and Fyodor Ignatjev are supposed to perform painting. The color range of their painting is restrained. Ochre, ruddy, brown tints with a few sprinkling of blue combine into one warm color and produce a golden symphony of colors. The subjects of frescoes are taken from the gospel, and painting is expressive.

Church of St. Nicolas "Nadein"

The lovely Church of Nicolas Nadein   situates in the corner of Volkov and Narodny Lanes. The church was built in 1620-1621 by Epiphany Andreevich Sveteshnikov on the place where the wooden Annunciation Church was - after the discovery of Nicolas Icon miraculously found in the Volga River. After the Time of Troubles.

It is the first stone church in Yaroslavl. Fedor Volkov, the founder of the first Russian theater, designed the iconostasis. The architects used the brick and white stone in the process of building.The inside construction consists of cross in square walls, four-pillar church with lowered supporting arches, with five main domes, three apses, with bottom-tier.The church is surrounded by the galleries from the three sides, belfry at the northwest corner; Annunciation side-chapel at the northeast; Alexandre Svyrsky side-chapel (end of the 17 cent.) - at the southeast.It was the latest reconstruction at the end of the 17-cent. - Belfry is rebuilt; southeast Alexandre Svyrsky side-chapel is built.The great amount of tourists visits our church- museum every year.

Saint Gates of Transfiguration Monastery

Cathedral of the Transfiguration was built by the Moscow masters in 1506-1516 in the place of a ruined by 1501 fire the church of XIII century. The principles of composition of a four-pillar, three-domed church supported by a high semi-basement (podklet) and surrounded by galleries based upon the old traditions of ancient Russian architecture. However the final elaboration of artistic image of this monument and its decoration were developed under the influence of Moscow architectural style built up at the beginning of the XVI century. The proper shaping of the church and striking accuracy of relation between the units of this structure and their size are based on the only modulus "sagene". Round windows in gables, wide decorated slopes of portals, profiled termination of inside piers reveal its resemblance with Archangel Cathedral of Moscow Kremlin. The view of the west side of the cathedral is more spectacular; pyramidal structure of the building units is clearly seen. In 1563-1564 the cathedral was painted by Moscow and Yaroslavl artists, their names may be found in the inscription made on the north-west pillar: "This inscription was made by Moscow masters Larion Leonty's son, Tretjak and Fyodor Nikita's sons, Yaroslavl masters Afanasiy and Dementi Isidor's sons" In XVIII and XIX centuries the painting was restored. The arrangement of compositions on the vaults, walls and pillars is traditional enough for the ancient Russian monumental art of the XVI century. Christ Pantocrator is depicted in the central cupola, biblical and evangelical subjects are disposed on the south and north walls, the entire west wall is occupied by impressive composition depicting "The Last Judgment". Expressive drawing and restrained color range produce profound characters possessing a huge inner power. The Transfiguration Cathedral was reconstructed many times during its existence. In XVII century the north gallery was turned into parvis, in the XVII century two lateral domes were pulled down. Originally each arch-like section of the wall was covered separately. A hipped roof replaced this old roofing. In 1836 the helmet-like central dome was replaced by onion-like dome. In 1950s the cathedral was restored (except the north gallery and the west porch). At present the cathedral is one of the most interesting monuments in Yaroslavl.

Church ensemble in Korovniki Sloboda:

· Church of St. John the Chrysostom in Korovniki

· Bell-Tower of John the Chrysostom Church in Korovniki

· Church of Vladimir Icon of the Virgin in Korovniki

Church of St John Chrysostom

Church of St John Chrysostom is a pearl of the Russian architecture. It was built in 1649-1654. The church is a large five-domed structure with two tent-shaped roof chapels and low gallery surrounding the church on three sides. Height gabled porches supported by barrel-like pillars lead to this gallery. Unlike other earlier Yaroslavl churches the church of St John Chrysostom is symmetrical without traditional belfry and heated church (they were planed to stand separately). The entire ensemble is rising upward. For the first time in Russian architecture domes and drums were given great dimensions equal in high to the mane cube (this method was widely used in subsequent cult architecture in the town). In 80's of the XVII century the church was decorated with new additional elements (some small pillars at the corners of the church, gabled porches, rich tiling and famous tile window-frame in the chancel apse). Owing to elegant decoration of facades the church became one of the most picturesque monuments dating to the period of progress of Yaroslavl architecture. In 1732-1733 the church was painted. The iconostasis was installed in the XVIII century.

Bell-Tower of John the Chrisostom Church in Korovniki

The bell tower was built in 1680-s by local people from brick.The composition of the tower consists of bell-tower with hip roof on octahedron basis. One bell tier and three rows of lucarnes are included in composition.There is also separate bell-tower. The whole composition is included in the ensemble of John the Chrysostom Church in Korovniki. The tower is situated between the two churches, in the west part of the ensemble.

Church of Vladimir Icon of the Virgin in Korovniki

Church of the Virgin of Vladimir is a heated church near the church of St John Chrysostom. It was erected in 1669.

The church of the Virgin of Vladimir in many ways resembles the main church of St John Chrysostom but much more simple. The aims of resembling and symmetry (these aims are laid in the foundation of the whole composition) required large dimensions of the church; this resulted in construction of the second garret floor. It was useless from the functional point of view so it stood empty from the very beginning. The silhouette of the church in many way copies the church of St John Chrysostom. High multi-staged belfry, the so-called "Yaroslavl candle" is 37 meters high. It is cross in square, four-pillared -pillars are square, with inner vault, separating the upper part from the warm, lower compartment.Five decorative domes and three apses included in composition.It was built in 1680's, slender with octagonal pillar, tracery stage of arches with three rows of nice kokoshniks on the tent-form roof. The church is surmounted by a small dome with gilded cross.

Ivanov Mansion

The mansion was built in 17 century from brick and white stone.The mansion functions as a residential house.The mansion proposes the great historical and architectural interest.The house consists from cubical two-storied building with irregular inner layout of the rooms.Upper storey is residential, lower- contains storage.

The composition consists from separate building with the porch.The Ivanov Mansion is a great historical and architectural monument for tourists all over the world.

Volga Tower

The tower was built in 1658-1669 in Yaroslavl, Volzgskaya quay. Used material is brick.The function of the tower is passage tower.Serving asa bridge between Strelka and the quay.The composition of the building proposes square passage construction - with wooden shatter and separate shooting tower.

Now Volga gates are adjoined to the west facade of the tower at the beginning of the 19-cent.The last time the tower was rebuilt in 1711.Wooden shatter of the tower  burnt away at the beginning of the 19-cent.  Separateshooting towerwas dismantled.In 1840-s - the tower was overbuilt - Arsenal was constructed in it.

The passage tower is a great historical and architectural monument for tourists all over the world.

Michael Archangel Church

Twenty five years were needed to construct the church of the Archangel Michael (1657-1682). This fact was reflected in the appearance of the church combining in it architecture the features of two periods of Yaroslavl architecture of the XVII century. Like other early churches this church is a four-pillar five-domed structure on podklet with the north chapel in the form of tower, with large multistage belfry and tent-roofed porch. Massive domes and drums, high windows, tent-roof over small decorative gables are the features of later cult architecture. Green glazed tile on facades of porch is one of the oldest in Yaroslavl. Beautiful portal with delicate brickwork ornament and painting is preserved in the upper gallery. Its forged door is decorated by colored mica in round medallions. In 1731 the interior of the church was painted by a group of masters headed by well-known painter Fyodor Fyodorov. The painting was performed in a folk manner resembling cheap popular print.

Church of Nicolas the Soggy

Astaphy Luzin, Andrey Lemin, «the guests», Fedor Vymorov, Stepan Tarabaev and local people, built the monument in 1665-1672. The church is fully from brick, white stone, and polychrome ceramics.Church of Nicolas the Soggy is parish church and devoted to St. Nicolas.The church is cross in square and four-pillared.

There are five main domes and three apses inside.The composition is consists of two side-chapels, each with hip roof - in the east.

Half-closed gallery, with one storey, from the two sides. Church is without bottom-tier. Three porches andbelfry at the northwest corner are also included in composition.

The latest date of reconstruction is the end of 1680-s - beginning of 1690-s. Semi-columns on the facadesand tile plat bands.In 1690-s - west vestibule.

The church is a great historical and architectural monument for tourists all over the world.

Spasso-Preobrazhensky Monastery

Spasso-Preobrazhensky Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in the upper Volga. It was founded in the second half of the XII century. The monastery played a prominent role in political and economical life of the city, it was a large center of culture in the ancient Russian state. In 1774 a theological seminary was opened in the monastery. The monastery library possessed thousands valuable books and manuscripts. In the XVIII century it was in the personal library of the Abbot that the manuscript of the famous Russian epic "The Lay of Igor's Host" was discovered. After 1658 when the ancient Kremlin ruined in fire lost its defensive function Spasso-Preobrazhensky Monastery surrounded by a stone wall became a main fortress of Yaroslavl. The present monastery walls were erected in the first half of the XVII century instead of old fortifications of the XVI century. The north-east (along Pervomajskaya Street) and partially the north and the west walls were preserved in the original construction. Almost all south walls on the Kotorosl River was reconstructed and turned into ordinary barrier, having no any defensive function. In the XVII century the high stone walls had six massive towers at the corners. Only two towers are preserved at present: Virgin's tower (at the corner of square of the Apparition of Christ) and Uglich tower.). Uglich tower was used as a gateway into the Zemlyanoy Gorod because it was located on the joint of monastery wall and town fortifications. Other towers were dismantled in XVIII century. Two new corner towers were built on the bank of Kotorosl River in the XIX century. But they are considerably smaller then the ancient towers and a decorative functions only.

Church of Nativity of Christ

Church of Nativity of Christ was built in 1636-1644 with the funds provided by the family of Yaroslavl merchants Nazaryev-Guryevs. It is located in Kedrov Street near the Volga Embankment. The building composition is based upon the principal fundamentals of ancient cult architecture, but separate details are really unique. The church of great dimensions is based on a high podklet. At first it was surmounted by five "onion"-shaped domes of which only the central one was preserved. The dome covered with green and yellow glazed tiling looks impressive in the sunlight. Two-stage galleries surround the church. Chapels with domes are built on the both ends of these galleries. A massive porch on pillars and Kazansky chapel with a tracery cross surmounting its dome make the church highly expressive. Church of Nativity of Christ - is a new step in the development of Yaroslavl architecture. Composition and decoration of facades show new features. The relief of cornices, inter-floor bands became more intricate. Grazed green tiling, decorating many churches of the late XVII century was applied here for the first time. Band tiling decorated not only central cube frieze but also drums of all domes, apse cornice and porch. Belfry (middle XVII) used as a church and a bell tower were connected with Kazansky chapel by a passage. Its foundation is formed by the gate of a surrounding fence (not preserved). The church was on the second stage, a square in plan. Gallery with opened arcade based on jar-shaped pillars surrounded the church on three sides. Higher there is the third - octagon with opened arches. This was the place for bells. The composition is finished by tent-shaped roof with a dome and dormers. In the XVIII-XIX centuries ensemble of the church of Nativity of Christ with belfry was reconstructed several times. In 1920's restoration of these monuments was begun.

Bell-Tower of the Nativity Church on the Volga

Bell-Tower is south of the Nativity of Christ church and almost equals it in size. It was erected by order of a bishop Serapion. There was constructed striking clock on the bell tower at the end of the 17th century that strikes every hour and every quarter of an hour.  The church was built in 1644 by local merchants Mikhael, Andrew and Ivan Nazarievch mostly from brick.The function of the great monument is bell-tower.

The construction consists from the bell-tower with hip roof over the gates, bell octahedron is placed on tetrahedron; tetrahedral clock tower is adjoined to the south-east corner, decorative tower - to the south-west corner; one bell tier, three rows of lucarnes.

The composition of the tower included in the ensemble of Nativity Church on the Volga; originally was connected with the church by means of the gallery; is surrounded by the gallery closed in the lower tier and opened in the upper one.The bell tower is a great historical and architectural monument for tourists all over the world.

Church of St.John the Precursor

The church was built in 1671-1687, from the brick, white stone, and polychrome ceramics.The church devoted to St. John the Precursor.Functions as a parish church.The church is cross in square four-pillar church with five main domes and three apses.The composition is surrounded with the galleries from three sides, two symmetrical side-chapels (north and south), crowned with five decorative domes in the east; porches are in front of the three facades (west, south and north); separate bell-tower, situated in the south-west, is included in the ensemble together with the brick fencing with the gates.The last rebuilding was after 1708 - four-pitched roof.

Bell-Tower of St. John the Precursor

The Bell tower was erected in the middle of the XVI century. It was a two-stage structure at first. The first stage housed a small church (chancel extension and frescoes are preserved) the upper stage with arches (bells were hanging here) was terminated in two-shape roofs covered with tiling in XVii century. In 1808 the third stage having lanced arches was erected instead of tent-shape roofs. In 1823 the new superstructure was topped with a rotunda in the Gothic style popular at that time. The rotunda was built according to the design of the architect P.Pankov. In spite of partial restoration the belfry does not produce an impression like having the entire proper composition. Mixing of various styles and epochs is felt in its architecture. In our days the rotunda is turned into the review tower and a new clock with pleasant striking are installed.

Composition consists of pillar bell-tower on octahedron basis, seven-storied, with four bell tiers, separate bell-tower; is included in the ensemble of St. John the Precursor Church, Tolchkovo.

Church of Our Lord in the Town

The church was built in 1672 by local people, from brick, white stone, and polychrome ceramics.All icons of Our Lord are not made by Hands.

Functions as a parish church.It is cross in square, four-pillar church with five main domes and three apses.The composition provides side-chapel with hip roof - at the east priaslo of the north facade; belfry with hip roof - at the north-west corner; south side-chapel is rebuilt, it is extended along the facade and overlapped with the cupola; west parvis.The last date of reconstruction is 1680 - north gallery is founded; 1831 - south side-chapel is reconstructed (south porch is dismantled), west porch is added; four-pitched roof instead of the gable.

Metropolitan's Chambers

The chamber was built in 1680-s by architects of Rostov Metropolitan Iona Sysoevitch.The chamber built mostly from brick.Functions as a Metropolitan's Residence in case of his arrival to Yaroslavl.Composition consists of square two-storied building; accommodations are divided into two parts: in front west part - one-pillar chamber, in the east - personal Metropolitan's apartment: group of small rooms.Building faces Volga embankment; there were porches at the two opposite facades (north was household, south was main, now there is one wooden porch left); south porch had a small gallery.The date of rebuilding is1830 - porches are dismantled; 1920-s resorted by P.D.Baranovsky.

Church of Theodor Icon of the Virgin

The date of building is 1687. Local people built the church from brick and white stone   according to the model of Resurrection Church, Kondakov Sloboda.Functions as a parish church.Composition includes cross in square four-pillars church with five main domes and three apses initially without the gallery, with three porches; west parvis with the porch; 18 - 19 cent. - south side-chapel.The latest date of rebuilding is 1736 - covered parvis with the porch in front of the west facade; 1770-s - south side-chapel; 1776 - south porch was dismantled during the construction of the side-chapel.

Annunciation Church

The church was built in 1688-1702 from brick and white stone.The church was built for annunciation and functions as a perish church.Construction of the church includes no pillars, closed vault, with five decorative domes and three apses; initially with four-pitched roof. The latest date of reconstruction is17 cent. - domes are completed.

Church of St Demetrius of Salonika

It Church of St Demetrius of Salonika is a unique monument of Yaroslavl. Its appearance changed greatly during its existence. It is the only example of a two-pillared church in XVII century Yaroslavl architecture. The chapel with gallery was added in 1700. Originally it was a five-domed church, but the lateral domes were dismantled in the first half of the XIX century. At the same time the porch was built at its west side. During the 1918 White-Guard revolt the central dome and tent-roof of the belfry were destroyed. Owing to restoration work carried out in 1980's the monument was partly recovered. In 1686 church of St Demetrius of Salonika was decorated by frescoes painted by a group of Yaroslavl masters with Sebastjan Dmitrijev at the head. It is a prominent example of monumental art with epical character of its composition.

Church of St John Baptist in Tolchkovo Sloboda

The church was built in 1671-1687. Huge in size and fantastic in its silhouette of fifteen domes the church of St John Baptist is astonishing by splendor of decoration and skill of performing it. Plenty of tiling on the church walls is striking. The monument is symmetrical in its plan and the volumes. Any point of observation reveals some new and amazing artistic quality. High chapels are especially beautiful being surmounted by groups of small domes. After 1708 fire the middle dome was changed by new one. this dome has been preserved at present. The interior of the church is distinguished by its large size, rich and delicate carving of the iconostasis, fantastic skill of performing icons, artistic blacksmith's work in producing doors and gratings. However unique frescoes covering the walls, window and door beveling. Immense wall painting in the church of St John Baptist was executed in 1694-1695 by sixteen Yaroslavl masters headed be Dmitry Grigoorjev Plekhanov and Fyodor Ignatiev, the well-known painters of the late XVII century in Russia. The painting was carried out in short space of time (nearly five months) being interesting in a panty of subjects involved and in a high skill of performing. The painting on the walls is divided into a greater number of friezes than usually, and involves many new subjects. The painters declined the stern composition "The Last Judgment" usually occupying the west wall and replaced it by six biblical compositions derived from the Song of Solomon (or as the Church interpreted it, of the love of Christ for the Church, His bride - to be). Among the numerous symbolic theological compositions of the frescoes that on the theme "Wisdom Hath Builder Her House, She Hath Hewn..." is depicted on the vault. »The Last Judgment" in a short and gentler interpretation is depicted in the north parvis. The painting is distinguished by more realistic interpretation of theological themes, and attempts to reflect the surrounding nature. Depicting of landscapes is characterized by perspective.

The belfry of the church of St John Baptist is not only the high level of Yaroslavl architecture school but only a masterpiece of the Russian culture.

Church of the Savior at Gorod

Four-pillared, five-domed without podklet the church of the Saviour-at-Gorod was built in 1672. A small tent-roofed chapel is attached to the north side of the church. A long and a low chapel attached to the south side. Tent-roofed belfry at the north-west corner of the building separates galleries. Drums and domes exceed the main cube of the building in the height. The church was reconstructed many times. In the 80's of the XVII century the originally opened north gallery was closed, in the XIX century the south chapel was reconstructed. A new parvis with porch was added to the west front. Decoration of the church is simple, but the church is one of the interesting monuments of the city. Painting was carried out during short period of time (12 June - 2 August 1693) by twenty two masters headed by Lavrenty Sevastyanov and Fyodor Fyodorov. The painting in its style and subjects is typical for Yaroslavl school of the late XVII century. Walls are divided into seven narrow bands. Four upper bands represent the life of Christ on the Earth. The fifth and sixth bands reveal "The Story of the True Life - Giving Cross". The bands devoted to the Introduction of Christianity represent the great battles, ceremonial meetings, stately processions, distant cities. Unexpected scenes of folk's life were interpolated into traditional biblical subjects. Queen Helen is depicted riding in a typical Russian peasant cart to Palestina, churches founded by her in "The Holy Land" resemble simple wooden structure of Yaroslavl posad. The seventh band represents original towels. Great number of details in painting and flowery style is characteristic features of the 1690's art with lost the monumental style of the XV-XVI centuries.

Church of St Nicholas at Rubleny Gorod

Church of St Nicholas-at-Rubleny Gorod (1695). The church of St Nicholas-at-Rubleny Gorod (1695) is located between Medveditsky Ravine and Kotorosl River. It keeps the memory of this place in its name. The church was erected in 1695. Church of St Nicholas- at-Rubleny Gorod is only church preserved of the Yaroslavl Kremlin of the XVII century. The church was built with funds provided by ship-owners and navigators whose ship-yards were disposed on the bank of the river. The architectural ensemble consists of three main parts - slender cube (the church itself) having five domes based on slim drums, low refectory with a porch and elegant rising up tent-roofed belfry. The appearance of this church is simple but poetical. Simple decoration involves ornamental band above the ground floor, arch base (niches) on the lateral facades of the church and dormers with smart surrounds on the tent-roof of the belfry. The structure is a five-domed refectory type with tent- roofed belfry and with a porch based on eight-side pillars church. The church being simple in its decoration is distinguished for its harmony in composition.

Church of the Ascension of Christ

Church of the Ascension of Christ (1677-1682) is a four pillared, five-domed structure with a gallery on two sides and a belfry. The church was painted with frescoes in 1688. The south chapel was built in the early XVIII century. The monument has not preserved its original appearance: the belfry and the domes were dismantled.

The church was reconstructed several times, so its facades are not very expressive. Refectory and three-staged belfry in the style of late Classicism were added to the church in 1867-1868 according to the design of the architect A.Dostoyevsky (brother of the well- known writer). The ensemble pays an important role in the panorama of Yaroslavl from the Volga river.

SS Kirill and Afanasi Monastery

Afanasjevsky monastery was founded in 1615 on the place of ancient wooden church and the monastery itself was also wooden originally. At the end of XVII century stone buildings appeared on the territory of the monastery. At the end of the XVIII century monastic cell and other structures were also made of stone. The monastery was reconstructed many times, several buildings were lost. The present day appearance of the monastery is far from original. It was a very interesting architectural ensemble involving three churches (two five-domed churches and one church one-domed) and two bell- towers. Of all the buildings of the monastery the church of SS Kirill and Afanasi (1664) is preserved. It is a pier-free, one- domed covered with the vault structure surrounded by galleries and chapels on two sides. Church of the Saviour at Proboi (1696-1705) is a two-storey, refectory type with high parvis on the south side. Monastic cell are made in the style of the late Classicism. Two gate towers with tetrahedral domes were built at the end of the XVIII century.

Church of the Saviour at Proboi

Church of the Saviour at Proboi (1696-1705). Church of the Saviour at Proboi is a two-storey church with a refectory originally one-domed with tent-roof belfry. In 1779 other four small domes were erected in 1831 the belfry was reconstructed (not preserved). In 1831-1833 the refectory was turned into a heated church, and at the beginning of the XX century a two-stage parvis with porch was attached to the south side of the church. At present the church has not preserved its original appearance.