The first annalists mention of Yaroslavl is dated 1071. It contains in a narration about the large revolt of peasants.

The national legend dates the birth of the town from the beginning of the 11-th century (not later, than 1010). When Rostovo-Suzdal prince Yaroslavl has based a small fortress as an advanced post of Rostov Breat on an abrupt right coast of Volga, at the confluence of Kotorosl in it.

The ancient legend tells, that there was in local places a settlement of pagans, worshipping she bear. When the prince with the army has arrived on “Bear corner ”, as this place has been named, the inhabitants have let out the she bear from a cage. Yaroslavl has notched it wing a battle-axe and has put a fortress on that place.
The poetic legend was also reflected in the arms of the town. The town was included into the structure of the Rostovo-Suzdal princedom. The large construction of chambers and churches began was pawned the Spassky monastery.

The further growth of the town was interrupted in 1238 by the invasion of Batyays hordes, but the citizens of Yaroslavl have not obeyed and lifted up the revolts against the enemy many times.
The inhabitants of Yaroslavl took part in the Lye slaughter under the banner of Alexander Nevsky and in the battle on the Kulikovo field under the leaders ship of Dmitry Donskoy.

In 1463 Yaroslavl was included in to the structure of the Moscow empire. The importance of the town as trading center grew the next centuries. Trade ways with lands which were lying near the mouth of Volga and from Western Europe through Archangelsks converged here. In the 17-th century Yaroslavl was the biggest trade and industrial town of Russia. Those were the times, when many new buildings were built there the town had its own, peculiar school of architectural styles and construction.

In the beginning of the 13-th century with the foundation of St.Petersburg Yaroslavl has appeared away from trade ways, which were connected Russia with Western Europe. Its importance as fortress had been finally lost, but the role as industrial centre grow. The first manufactures were created in the time of Peter I and in 1722 the linen factory, subsequently the Large Yaroslavl manufactory was under construction. By the end of the 19-th century Yaroslavl was the large industrial center of Russia with prevalence of textile manufacture. After the Great Patriotic war Yaroslavl has become the important industrial center. There are interesting transformations in Yaroslavl nowadays. The architects have developed the General plan. According to it the ensemble of the town, released from shabby and invaluable buildings, turning green and decorated with new buildings, will include the monuments of architecture, as its integral part.