The legend says that Yaroslav the Wise, the great prince of Kiev, founded the city of Yaroslavl after a fight to the death with a bear, that took place in these lands. Bear was considered a sacred animal by the local tribes populating this area. To celebrate his victory, Yaroslav the Wise decided to create there this city. In 2009 during the Millennium Celebrations of Yaroslavl, the monument to the bear was inaugurated near the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour.