Yaroslavl part 1

 We visited Yasoslavl the most in the three days. It is 155 miles from Moscow. It is where the Volga and Kotorosl rivers meet and was an important trading centre. It is still an important manufacturing centre.

On the first day we drove to the centre. As we walked through we encountered a rehearsal for the Victory Day parade.  .

The town band providing the music

We then walked to where the rivers meet and where a new Cathedral, the Cathedral of the Assumption, has recently been built. It was only finished in 2010.

The bell tower has not been built so the bells are in the grounds. While we were there they were rung for the evening service.

 

 It took two men to ring the biggest bell.

Inside was very light which is unusual for Russian cathedrals. There were big windows and it was very beautiful inside.

Beyond the Cathedral we could overlook the park where the two river meet and see the symbol of Yaroslvl, a bear with an axe.

From here we went to the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour where we climbed the Bell Tower.

As a bear is the symbol of Yaroslavl a tame bear is kept at the monastery. I didn't go to see her but Peter, Ann and Steve went. Ann took these pictures of her as she has woken from hibernation.

By now we were getting tired, but we still had to move onto Kostrama another 55km away where our hotel and evening meal waited.

Though built in the Soviet times the hotel was comfortable and the meal, while not particularly interesting, was ok.It was being used for two wedding parties but they didn't bother us. However, Ann who was travelling alone, had noisy neighbours and asked to be moved. Here her room had not been modernised. The wooden floors were beautiful and how is this for 1960's lighting and furniture?

And so our first day came to an end. Bedtime.!!