The city of Yaroslavl on the Volga River was today's destination. The city was founded in 1010 AD as a major trading center between East and West. For a brief time it was the temporary center of Russian government in the so-called "time of troubles" -- when there was quarreling between competing dynasties. It has numerous Orthodox churches and the Spassky monastery (now a museum), whose walls protected the government in exile.
Before arriving at Yaroslavl we heard another chapter of Russian history, "Gorbachev and Perestroika". Our guide recounted the restructuring that took place under Gorbachev, much of which was needed but proved very unpopular. Gorbachev is credited with ending the Cold War, but the economic programs he introduced caused havoc for the average Russian. For that reason he is much more popular in the Western countries than he is in Russia.
Our tour of Yaroslavl included the Church of Elijah the Prophet, of which the icon wall inside and the frescoes throughout the interior were truly amazing. We visited the main marketplace and the Alexander Nevsky chapel on the town green, and an art gallery where exquisite lacquer boxes -- one of the original Russian artistic expressions -- were on display (and for sale...). The only sour note of the day was that our visit to the city's eternal flame and new basilica was cut short by a torrential downpour.
We got another glimpse of wry Russian humor from our local guide. As we entered the city she pointed out the statue of Lenin. "We are not Communists" she said. "We just don't have enough money to take it down".
Our ship travels overnight to Uglich. After a morning's outing there, it's on to Moscow.
