An unusual and difficult to pronounce name near the tributary of the Volga - the river Kotorosl. The city of Yaroslavl has been standing on its banks for many centuries.
About the rivers Ustye and Veksa
There are two rivers in the Yaroslavl region: the Mouth and the Veksa. The first begins in the marshes with a small stream. Collecting the water of its tributaries along the 153 km long path, it turns into a winding, shallow (up to two meters), but fast river. The modern definition of the word "mouth" is a section of a stream that flows into the sea, lake, another river, that is, the final path. But in the Old Russian language, the source or the upper reaches were also called that. This means that this river has been flowing through the Yaroslavl area since ancient times.
Vexa flows out of Lake Nero and runs as an independent river for only 7 km. It has no tributaries, the flow rate is very small. In Russia, rivers flowing from lakes were often called streams, the Finno-Ugric version is vuoksi.
Where rivers meet
Near the village of Nikolo-Perevoz, two rivers connect their waters. Most often, in this case, one of them is considered a tributary of the other (larger) and receives its name, increasing the main flow. In our case, the new channel became known as the Kotorosl River. Moreover, it is proposed to consider the seven-kilometer Vexa channel as part ofKotorosli, that is, as if she herself originates in the waters of Lake Nero.
New River
From the village of Nikolo-Perevoz, standing simultaneously on three rivers, Kotorosl flows 126 kilometers to the place where it flows into the Volga. Thanks to its parents, it starts as a fairly wide (30 meters) and calm river. Obviously, the relief of the terrain and the waters of the Vex dampen the accelerating speed of the current of the Mouth. Along its entire length, including in the territory of Yaroslavl, the flow of water is slow and forms numerous horseshoe-shaped bends. After the confluence of several tributaries, the Kotorosl River expands to 60 meters.
In the 19th century, it was an important transport route connecting Rostov the Great with the Volga and with many other cities and countries. But it was actively used only in the spring, and in the summer, shipping was jammed with bridges and dams. Many mills and factories worked in these places. For the winter, large ships stood at the mouth of Kotorosl in anticipation of navigation along the Volga.
The modern river attracts fishermen, tourists and vacationers. Boarding houses and rest houses are located on its banks, and places for swimming are arranged in settlements.
Name history
Modern Kotorosl was previously called Kotorost. I wonder why? This option is considered the most popular. "Kotoratsya" in Old Russian means "to argue". And there are plenty of reasons to argue with the two original rivers. What name should be given to the new channel, if its length is less than the length of one of the rivers, whichformed him? But after all, the second river connects the new stream with Lake Nero, on the banks of which Rostov the Great lies. In the dispute, not only the new river was born, but also its name.
Kotorosl and Yaroslavl
The arrow of the Volga and Kotorosl rivers is the place where the city of Yaroslavl arose. It is believed that it was founded in 1010 by the Rostov prince Yaroslav the Wise. The new fortress was supposed to protect the water approaches to Rostov, trade routes. The chopped city, growing, turned into a large settlement with many temples, monasteries, trade and craft settlements.
The entire history of the existence and development of Yaroslavl is connected with building along Kotorosl, which divides the modern city into two parts. A small section of the embankment from the Strelka in the 11th century stretched to the Spassky Monastery, and then to the Church of St. Nicholas Wet in the 19th centuries. The modern embankment ends at Tolbukhinsky Bridge and stretches for 3 km.
Researchers claim that during pagan times, one of the temples with idols-gods was located on the site of the Spassky Monastery. The baptism of local residents took place in the waters of the Kotorosl River in this place. The tradition of carving a Jordan in the ice on the feast of the Epiphany near the monastery walls is explained precisely by this event.
The most active development of the embankment was in the 16th century, when Yaroslavl became one of the largest cities in the Muscovite state. On the bank of the Kotorosl, the road from Moscow to Yaroslavl was divided into three directions: Vologda, the Middle Volga region and the Ladoga region.
Prosperous Yaroslavl chose theseplaces for the construction of beautiful and rich houses. Like many centuries ago, the Spassky Monastery with stone walls and buildings instead of wooden ones adorns the banks of the Kotorosl River. Yaroslavl is also famous for its other temples and cathedrals, many of which were built along the river. Settlements, previously inhabited by ordinary people, have long entered the territory of the modern city.
One of the favorite places of the townspeople was the park of the 1000th anniversary of Yaroslavl and the embankment along the river. Here you can take a leisurely walk among the trees and flowers, admire the fountains and sculptural compositions, sit on the benches. For outdoor activities there are special zones, the Millennium Center.
Where the rivers Kotorosl and Volga formed the Strelka in Yaroslavl, numerous city events are held annually, fountains work, beautiful flower gardens are laid out.
