

Yaroslavl is an ancient city with a rich history. It is located not far from Moscow, just 250 kilometers away. The city was built in the 11th century and named after Prince Yaroslav the Wise. According to legend, Yaroslav the Wise defeated a bear here. In the past, the bear was a sacred animal.
There are many beautiful old churches from the 17th century in the city. It is sometimes called the city of churches. The most famous churches are: the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, the Church of Elijah the Prophet, and the Church of John the Baptist.
Yaroslavl is the capital of the «Golden Ring.» This is a famous tourist route in Russia. In the city, ancient monuments stand next to modern buildings. This makes the city popular among tourists and comfortable to live in.
The first theater in Russia, the Fyodor Volkov Russian Drama Theatre, was opened here. The first woman-cosmonaut, Valentina Tereshkova, lived and studied in Yaroslavl.
Today, the city continues to develop as a major economic, transport, and scientific center of the country. Thousands of students study here.