Yaroslavl was officially founded in 1010 by Prince Yaroslav. Before that, it was a small but growing trading post inhabited by pagans who worshiped a sacred bear. According to legend, Yaroslav rode into the village, killed the bear with his axe and thus subdued the city. Today, the fabled site of the ceremonious killing is marked by a large stone monument and the city's emblem features a bear and an axe.

Located along the banks of the Volga and Kotorosl rivers, the city was long an important commercial center. After being declared the capital of its region in 1218, the first stone buildings were built, although none of them survive to this day. By 1463, Yaroslavl was usurped politically by Moscow, and it was never to regain its former power, excepting, perhaps, for a brief period in the 17th century when it was temporarily made the capital of Russia after the Poles and Lithuanians captured Moscow. Yaroslavl was one of Russia's and Europe's largest trade centers in the 16th and 17th centuries. The wealthy merchants who inhabited the city vied with each other to build bigger, better, and more modern churches. The large population of skilled craftsmen they brought to the city experimented with architectural and artistic styles, establishing the town's famous collection of frescos on mythological, historical, and religious themes.

As a travel destination, Yaroslavl comes highly recommended. The Volga, though now so highly polluted it does not fully freeze in the winter is still beautiful: a wide, calm waterway surrounded by dense trees, rather resembling the southern Mississippi if that American river were inundated by hundreds of years of diverse architecture. The historic downtown area was planned on romantic ideals, with streets radiating from major points, which, in Yaroslavl, usually means ancient churches. Yaroslavl offers more than 20 churches dating to the 12th century. Most of the architecture, however, dates from the 16th and 17th centuries, boasting porticos and courtyards, all surrounded by a near-ponderous array of parks and monuments. Furthermore, Yaroslavl is quickly becoming a modern city, with renovated, comfortable hotels, trendy (yet inexpensive) restaurants, and (new for Russia) readily available ATMs throughout the city center.

Yaroslavl has a loose, sleepy feel due to its structure and relatively small population. Not a great percentage of the population speaks English; one is often forced to speak Russian with native Russians here, making it an ideal setting for students of Russian. Yet, the city is large enough to host several theatres (including the Volkov, one of Russia's oldest), a major circus, concert halls, and museums, meaning that you certainly do not need to give up the cultural opportunities to stay here.

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