{short description of image}  
 

RUSSIAN ART AND ARCHITECTURE
THROUGH THE CENTURIES

 
 

Yaroslavl

 
 

When an English expedition, undertaken in the middle of the 16th century, found how to reach Russia around Scandinavia and through the White Sea, and then down the rivers Dvina and Volga to Asia, the importance of Yaroslavl as a commercial transit center grew rapidly. It was at this time that two important kingdoms, Kazan and Astrakhan, were annexed to Russia, linking her directly to Persia and the other Asian states. By 1631 Yaroslavl already had 18 foreign trading posts and its citizens quickly earned a reputation as very capable merchants, and were sometimes sarcastically called "Cuckoo's children." They prospered, and to show their wealth they built churches, as did boyars and church prelates in other parts of the country. Many of Yaroslav's citizens were of Novgorodian origin, but were moved there forcefully by Ivan the Terrible; their influence on the arts should not be neglected. Having enough money, quickly earned they were able to afford the best builders and painters. Unable to ignore completely Moscow's directives and taste, they showed their independence by erecting larger and more richly decorated churches. In the monumental forms of ancient churches, crowned with five )scaly) cupolas, which they adapted for their churches, were decorated with extensive brickwork and varicolored tiles, added galleries and porches and magnificent portals. There were several details that made them original and different from hose built in Moscow. For the geneology of the princes of the house of Yaroslavl please go to Russian rulers. For many views of the city today please go to Yaroslavl.

 
 

GO BACK
NEXT

 

Return to Xenophon. Return to Ruscity. Return to Rushistory. Return to Ukraine.