There are not so many places in Russia where the magnificence of landscapes along the Volga river and rich historical development are combined with the original skill of masters, embodied in the unique monuments of art. This is the Yaroslavl land. Many centuries ago the Russian state drew its power and prosperity in this land. National culture various trades originated and developed in this country and brought Yaroslavl a world-wide fame.

The first chronicle record of Yaroslavl dates to the beginning of the XI-th century. The foundation of the town is connected with the great Kiev Prince Yaroslav the Wise. According to the ancient legend Yaroslav killed a bear just in the place where the present day Yaroslavl is situated and ordered to found a fortress here. This nice legend gave the emblem to the town, a bear with a pole-axe represented on a silver shield. In 1993 the monument to Yaroslav the Wise was erected on Bogojavlenskaya square.

The fortress being disposed on the high bank of the Volga river turned to be on the crossing of important commercial ways, vessels loaded with goods from India and Persia were sailing up the river west to the Europe. Therefore Yaroslavl became gradually a large centre of commerce and handicrafts; stone-masons, blacksmith's work masters, carpenters weavers lived here.

Yaroslavl is an administrative centre and the largest city of the region (with the population of 650 thousand). It has an advantageous geographical situation being 280 km away from Moscow and 750 km away from St. Petersburg.

The Yaroslavl land became famous not only for its ancient monuments. The outstanding Russian poet Nekrasov N.A. lived and created on this land. The first Russian Theatre was founded by Fyodor Volkov in Yaroslavl in 1750.