Scandal in Yaroslavl as Beautification Damages Ancient Ramparts
A scandal has erupted in Pereslavl-Zalessky, Yaroslavl Region, over beautification works in the city center near the Transfiguration Cathedral. Residents reported that during the creation of a pedestrian zone, heavy machinery damaged ancient ramparts.
«They demolished a 12th-century architectural and archaeological monument with an excavator in the city center,» said local resident Yekaterina Katyunina.
Yaroslavl urban conservationist Olga Mazanova also commented on the incident.
«It»s sheer vandalism: they installed «antique-style» lanterns, dug foundations for the lanterns, and cut a trench across the rampart,« wrote Olga Mazanova.
Deputy of the Yaroslavl Regional Duma Sergei Sokolov has already gotten involved in the situation. He said that he sent an appeal to the local prosecutor«s office after complaints from Pereslavl residents.
«To check how the work on installing the lighting system near the Cathedral, where Alexander Nevsky was baptized at the foot of the ramparts, is being conducted. I received several appeals from residents. Active residents are posting photos and videos on social networks. The technologies used are causing concern. The rampart ring was built back in the 12th century and requires the most careful handling,» said Sergei Sokolov.
The earthen ramparts in Pereslavl-Zalessky are the remains of ancient defensive structures. They surround the historical center of the city and are located near the Transfiguration Cathedral, where Prince Alexander Nevsky was baptized.
The length of the ramparts is about 2.5 kilometers. In ancient times, the structures were reinforced with wooden log cabins that held the earth. Wooden fortress walls and watchtowers were located there. But over time, they were destroyed. Now the height of the earthen embankment reaches 10-12 meters (33-39 feet).
The ramparts in Pereslavl-Zalessky are a cultural heritage site of federal significance. Currently, tourist walks and guided tours are conducted along them.
What Authorities and the Contractor Said
Meanwhile, the Pereslavl administration said that the pedestrian zone beautification project was developed by the State Institution of Yaroslavl Region «Project Institute» (ГКУ ЯО «Проектный институт»), passed state examination. The document is publicly available on the state procurement portal.
«The cast-iron lanterns in question are located in the design zone. The work currently being carried out was not coordinated with the customer. Claim work is being conducted with the contractor,» reported the administration of Pereslavl-Zalessky on the evening of January 15.
As local authorities explained, the claims specifically concern street lighting. Now the contractor is engaged in rectifying the shortcomings. At the same time, the work itself was carried out strictly within the boundaries of the design zone.
It is known that the beautification of the pedestrian center in Pereslavl-Zalessky is being carried out by the company «Yardormost», whose founder is the Yaroslavl Ministry of Property Relations. The company said that during the specified period, planned work was carried out to replace the closed lighting line as part of the beautification project. The company claims that the machinery did not enter the territory of the ramparts.
«All work was carried out in the zone defined by the project documentation. The project includes locations and methods of work production. During the work, machinery did not enter or perform any actions on the territory of the city rampart (a 12th-century archaeological monument), all operations were limited to the work execution zone,» commented «Yardormost».
