Yaroslavl, one of the seven cities of Russia's Golden Ring, dates back to the 11th century when it was founded by the Kiev prince Yaroclavl the Wise on the confluence of the Volga and the Ko-torosl rivers. An old merchant town abounding in churches and monasteries built in the special Yaroslavl style. The Spaso-Preobrazhensky (Transfiguration of the Savior) monastery where the town started, the Church of St. Elijah the Prophet, the frescoes of which made by the famous masters from Kostroma, who decorated at least one church in every “Golden Ring” town in the 17th century, depict the life of saints. While in town be sure to walk the embankment of the majestic Volga River, rich in history, sce-nic beauty and national character. The low houses of the old city give the place great charm. Explore spectacular collection of treasures of the Historico-Architectural Reserve Museum en-compassing the 14th – 20th centuries church articles of virtue made of precious metals, ancient Russian paintings of the 16th century, precious tissues of the 16th – 20th centuries and many other things.