Yaroslavl

Yaroslavl is a unique city on the Volga River where the breathtaking beauty of nature, the splendor of ancient architecture, and the modern industry are so harmoniously combined together. The town was firstly mentioned in Russian chronicles at the beginning of the 11th century. As the ancient legend goes, on this very place Great Kyiv Prince Yaroslav the Wise killed a bear and ordered to found a fortress there. Another legend says that the Prince with the retinue conquered a small pagan settlement and with a pole-ax cut up a heathen picture of a bear. Anyway, these legends have given the emblem to the town — a bear with a pole-ax represented on a silver shield. The fortress featuring favorable location at the crossroads of the important commercial ways soon turned into a large center of commerce and handicrafts. At present, it is the largest city in the region with a population of 650 thousand.