The Yaroslav Courtyard (Dvorishche), known by the chronicles from the 10th-11th centuries, was a historical district where folkmoots were held, numerous churches were built and the city market, Torg, was arranged. That’s exactly why the whole right bank of the Volkhov River was called Torgovaya Storona (Trade side). Prince Yaroslav also lived here - hence the name of the place. You can get here through the pedestrian bridge from the Novgorod Kremlin. The crossing is on the site of the historical Great Bridge, which offers the best views of the Kremlin and the Torgovaya Storona.
The greatest asset of Yaroslav Courtyard is the seven ancient temples, three of which are the most vivid and interesting. The Nikolo-Dvorishchensky Temple, built in 1113, with partly preserved murals is the oldest one being second only to St. Sophia Cathedral in age. Here there is also a stunning Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign built in 1688 and decorated with frescoes and tiles. Worth a look is the ancient Church of St. Paraskevi (Church of Paraskevy Pyatnitsy na Torgu) built in 1207. As believed, any wish will come true if you go around it three times. A traders’ market was arranged on the site of the historic Torg in the XVII - XVIII century, from which only a snow-white arcade and the Gate Tower have survived. In 2009, a fountain appeared on the Torgovaya Storona. It is a granite circle depicting the coat of arms of 16 Hanseatic cities. Thus, modern Novgorod stated that it is part of the Hanseatic Trade Union of the New Time.