Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery in Yaroslavl is one of the few similar structures in Russia. Its value lies not only in its beauty and antiquity but also in its historical and spiritual role that connects us to our homeland. Ivan the Terrible often visited this place. In 1612, the militia of Minin and Pozharsky set out from here to liberate Moscow, and in 1613, Mikhail Romanov stopped here before his journey to the capital to ascend the throne. In the 13th century, the Grigoryevsky porch was opened in the monastery, the first spiritual school in the northeast of Rus. The monastery's rich library preserved for us the 'Word about Igor's Campaign,' found by Alexei Musin-Pushkin in the 18th century. The exact date of the monastery's foundation is unknown; the first mention of it dates back to 1186. The Nikon Chronicle indicates the years 1216-1224, which raises doubts, as documents refer to a stone monastery, although the first walls were wooden. The establishment of the monastery near the Yaroslavl Kremlin had practical significance: the monks defended the homeland alongside the warriors. The monastery became a defense for the Kremlin from the west and received patronage from princes, especially Prince Konstantin, who built the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral and the spiritual school between 1216 and 1224, later moved to Rostov. The monastery became a keeper of knowledge and culture, like European monasteries after the fall of Rome. In the lower church of the monastery found rest the Yaroslavl princes, including Fyodor the Black and his sons, who were canonized in 1463. The modern cathedral is the result of centuries of construction. The first cathedral stood until the fire of 1501, after which it was dismantled and replaced by a new one built by Moscow craftsmen. The cathedral, erected between 1506 and 1516, has a gallery with arched openings that served as a book repository. Inside, the cathedral is a four-pillar temple with three helmet-shaped domes on massive drums. In 1563-1564, Moscow and Yaroslavl masters painted the cathedral, creating frescoes that have survived to this day. In the 16th century, the Nativity Church, Refectory, and Bell Tower were built. Ivan the Terrible granted the monastery 55 charters, transferring villages, settlements, and lands to the community. His son Fyodor continued the tradition of gifting. During the Time of Troubles, the monastery withstood a siege, after which its walls were fortified. By the end of the 17th century, the monastery became one of the largest landowners in Yaroslavl. In 1747, a Slavic-Latin seminary opened here, which became part of Yaroslavl State Pedagogical University. In the late 18th century, the monastery was transformed into the Yaroslavl Archiepiscopal House, leading to new construction. During the Soviet era, the monastery was not demolished but restored. Today, the complex includes the cathedral, churches, buildings, bell tower, gates, refectory, chapel, and towers.