Buzz
After enjoying a delightful lunch in Moscow, we hopped on a train bound for Yaroslavl, a city located approximately 300km northeast of Russia's capital.
Springtime Adventures in Yaroslavl, Russia
The new train was modern, comfortable, and offered breathtaking views outside, making the three-hour journey pass by swiftly. When it comes to travelling in Russia, trains are incredibly convenient. The ticket from Moscow to Yaroslavl costs 750 rubles per person (around 350,000 Vietnamese dong), double the price of a sumptuous meal plus a beer at a fast-food joint, which we had just enjoyed for lunch.
Old Town at the Confluence of Rivers
Although the early spring weather remained chilly, looking out the window, the melting snow and warm rays of the early-season sun brought a sense of joy to passengers on the train, a feeling that words cannot adequately describe. With the arrival of spring, nature seemed to hasten its pace. And that hastened rhythm could be distinctly felt on the bare branches that had endured the bitter cold of winter for months.
Frozen landscapes in this cold land don't rob trees of life; instead, it's a time for them to gather energy, ready to burst forth with vigor when spring arrives. Just after a few showers, nature seems to awaken from its long winter slumber.
First, green appears as tiny dots on the branches, then that green carpet gradually becomes richer, accompanied by rapidly growing leaves.
We arrived in Yaroslavl as evening descended, dropping our bags at the centrally located hostel before setting out to explore. We chose the hostel partly because its clientele consists mainly of Russian students, young professionals, and civil servants. They speak basic English and are quite friendly. Yaroslavl is a familiar destination for residents of Moscow on weekends.
Established in 1010, the city is one of the oldest ancient municipalities situated at the confluence of two rivers—the gentle Kotorosl and the mighty Volga. Yaroslavl boasts the iconic Kilometre Zero marker, considered the starting point of the famous Golden Ring tourist route in Russia.
This tour passes through ancient cities near Moscow, connecting various destinations to form a symbolic circle. The Golden Ring itinerary has been renowned globally for over a decade, featuring cities like Yaroslavl, Ivanovo, Vladimir, Kostroma, Sergiev Posad, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Rostov Veliky, Uglich, and Suzdal. Behind each name lies a long history. Yaroslavl, with its unique architectural monuments and historical landmarks deeply rooted in ancient Russian history, has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It preserves the most extensive collection of historical and cultural artifacts in Russia, including over 800 ancient architectural structures alone.
Before delving into the inviting grandeur of the castles, we strolled along the radiant banks of the Volga River in the afternoon sun. Under the sunlight, the domes and bell towers of churches shimmer with precious metallic hues. Since the late 16th century, Yaroslavl has been a major trading hub. Conquering the Kazan and Astrakhan kingdoms opened up trade routes with Asia along the Volga River.
With its advantageous location at the confluence of rivers, Yaroslavl was chosen by the English as a port to distribute goods downstream on the Volga. Subsequently, the Dutch, Germans, and French followed suit, bringing a variety of valuable commodities here. Yaroslavl's exports included furs, fish, flaxseed, and artworks. The city's churches (of which there are 77) are testament to its historical significance and wealth in the past.
Russian Masterpieces
Strolling across Elinskaia Square in the city center, no visitor can overlook the Church of the Epiphany. This 17th-century architecture gleams white as snow. The church's four facades feature unique and distinctly styled architecture, giving viewers the impression of standing before diverse structures.
While the exterior of the church is beautifully minimalist in its decoration, the interior dazzles us with the vibrant colors of thousands of precious paintings. Yaroslavl was renowned for centuries for its art, particularly religious art. The city's vast collection of invaluable paintings is still carefully preserved.
Art enthusiasts like us find it hard to leave! Yaroslavl is also famous for its array of unique historical architecture. The city has excellently preserved many buildings from the 16th to 19th centuries. Some of Russia's first monasteries were also established in Yaroslavl.
The oldest building is the Saviour Monastery of St. Euthymius, constructed in the 12th century. Today, this male monastery has been transformed into a vibrant outdoor museum.
The old town of Yaroslavl is equally beautiful and elegant. Despite the varied architectural styles of Western Europe seen in the rows of houses, it's not difficult to find traditional Russian folk features here: intricately carved window frames, ornate golden arches. When we arrived, the city had just concluded Maslenitsa (the farewell to winter) festivities. Ending this nearly week-long celebration, Yaroslavl, like other cities across Russia, began to embrace a vibrant spring. Women strolling the streets shed their thick coats and hats, revealing fresh faces and slender figures. At many street corners, lilacs, also known as Syringa, were beginning to bloom. This bushy plant is considered a springtime symbol, a season of rebirth and growth. Lilacs come in various colors: purple, pink, white, and pale green. Some lilac varieties even change color over time: starting as pink or deep purple buds, then fading to light hues or transitioning to white when fully bloomed. If we stayed in Yaroslavl for another week, we would witness the streets adorned with clusters of colorful lilac flowers...
On our way back to Moscow, many villages along the route were bustling with sheep-shearing festivals. These festivals typically occur in rural areas as the snow begins to melt and the grass awakens. Sheep, confined to barns and fed dry grass throughout the winter, are now taken to the meadows to breathe in the fresh air. Shepherds bid farewell to their families to care for and manage the sheep.
Therefore, sheep-shearing festivals are organized to send off the shepherds to the mountains. During the festival, the village roads are lively. Shepherds dress in colorful attire, wearing pointed hats adorned with rooster feathers, and trousers in white or red, with billowing legs resembling balloons.
Not only does nature awaken in spring, but the Russian people also embark on an impressive and lively new agricultural cycle.
According to Saigon Entrepreneur
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Reference: Travel Handbook by Mytour
MytourApril 7, 2017
