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Volga Embankment: This is where Yaroslavl Begins

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The Volga Embankment is not only a promenade for the city dwellers, tourists and wedding processions. This is the history of Yaroslavl, first of all. It was on the banks of the Volga that the city was founded more than a thousand years ago. At the same time the embankment was built only in 1830. The main place from which Yaroslavl begins is the Stelka, at the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl Rivers. Here there is a landscaped park with fountains. As legend has it, this is the place where in 1010 Prince Yaroslav the Wise hacked a bear to death with a hafted axe and then ordered to build a city here. The image of the bear with a poleax was later placed on the coat of arms of the city.

In the warm season a flowerbed with a coat of arms is arranged on the Strelka, where the Volga embankment begins from. The place where the bear was killed is also marked by the most famous monument of Yaroslavl. This is a huge stone with the inscription saying that it was here that the city was founded. It is believed that the stone is much older than Yaroslavl itself. The stone block is attributed magical properties, so it's no wonder that there are always a lot of coins around it: they are thrown by people who make wishes.Another notable monument on the Strelka is a Stela installed on the occasion of the millennium of the city. Its height is 18 meters, the top is crowned with a sculpture of an eagle, and the pedestal is adorned with figures of Yaroslav the Wise, a priest, a warrior, a discoverer and a mother with a child. High reliefs with scenes from the history of the city are placed at the bottom level of the pedestal. When walking along the embankment, you can’t fail to notice a rotunda built in 1840. It has several names, the most notional of which is the “Governor's”: it is believed that in the XIX century the governor came here on Sundays to have tea. Another name is the “Arbor of Love”, as the newlyweds like to have photograph taken here.

Volga Embankment: This is where Yaroslavl Begins

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