In Yaroslavl Oblast, regional attractions range from nature reserves and lakeshores to old towns, churches and museums. The variety lets you choose your own focus: nature by the water, historic architecture, or collections and hands-on activities.
Nature at Lake Pleshcheyevo
Pleshcheyevo Ozero National Park is a federally significant nature reserve in Yaroslavl Oblast. Its responsibilities include nature conservation, environmental education and recreation. The landscape is notable for its rich natural diversity, rare or well-preserved typical communities, and rare and endangered plant and animal species.
The “V gostyakh u Seroy Tsapli” ecological trail runs along the northeastern shore of Lake Pleshcheyevo. It is about one kilometre long, passes through an open shoreline area and runs right beside the water. The trail includes a wooden boardwalk, a lakeside observation tower and three information boards. Along the way, you can learn more about around 50 bird species that live there and their biology.
A national park boat station and a sailing area are also located on the northeastern shore of the lake, opposite the turnoff to Gorodishche. The park lists the sailing area for visitors. Before travelling, check the local operating conditions and current services.
Old towns and historic buildings
Yaroslavl Oblast’s main attractions include twelve old towns: Yaroslavl, Gavrilov-Yam, Danilov, Lyubim, Myshkin, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Poshekhonye, Rostov Veliky, Rybinsk, Tutaev, Uglich and the flooded town of Mologa. Each has its own character and atmosphere. The examples below show different aspects of the region’s cultural heritage.
In Pereslavl-Zalessky, the Transfiguration Cathedral dates back to the 12th century. It is the city’s oldest church and the earliest surviving architectural monument of the Vladimir-Suzdal school. In Veskovo, the Fortuna boat is kept on permanent display at the “Boat of Peter I” museum estate. It is considered a unique monument to Russian military shipbuilding and is described as Pereslavl’s main attraction. The museum estate also offers the guided entertainment programme “Petrovskaya Assambleya «Vekov azartnaya igra»”; check in advance for current arrangements.
Yaroslavl brings together several important ensembles. The museum reserve includes the ensemble of the former Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, founded in the 13th century, as well as architectural monuments and paintings from 17th-century Yaroslavl architecture. These include, among others, the churches of the Prophet Elijah, John the Baptist and St Nicholas Nadein. Metropolitan Jonah Sysoyevich had the Metropolitan’s Chambers built in 1682; since 1977, they have housed a department of Old Russian art, an exhibition and exhibition halls. The Church of the Prophet Elijah is known for its 17th-century wall frescoes, preserved almost in their original state. Access is seasonal; check visiting details before making plans.
Historic buildings and an expansive park come together in the Uglich Kremlin. The ensemble covers 33,560 square metres and includes buildings dating from the 15th to the 19th century, trees from the 19th and 20th centuries, a pond and a moat. The buildings include the Princes’ Chambers, the Church of Tsarevich Dmitry, the former City Duma building with museum exhibitions, and the Transfiguration Cathedral with its bell tower, Uglich’s main active place of worship. The park is considered evidence of garden and landscape art from the second half to the end of the 19th century.
Museums in Rybinsk
The Rybinsk Museum Reserve is housed in the New Grain Exchange building. Moscow architect A. V. Ivanov designed the building, which was constructed in 1912 on a high bank of the Volga. In Rybinsk, the N. M. Alekseyev Museum of the Mologa Region also offers tours of its museum halls and interactive activities. These include the “Bazarnyy den” and “Remeslu vezde pochyot” programmes, with competitions, prizes and refreshments. As dates are not fixed, ask the museum about the current programme.
Discover more destinations: Yaroslavl, Breytovo, Prislon, Tunoshna, Sopelki, Tutaev, Lukino, Pesochnoye.
For the regional travel overview: Yaroslavl Oblast.
