Holiday in Yekaterinburg

About Yekaterinburg

Yekaterinburg (Russian: Yekaterinburg) is the fourth largest city in Russia and the economic and cultural center of the Urals — the mountain range that forms the boundary between Europe and Asia. Founded in 1723 by Tsar Peter the Great as a metal factory, the city is now a modern metropolis with a fascinating and often tragic history. The most famous historical site is the Church on the Blood (Chram na Krowi), built on the spot where Tsar Nicholas II and his entire family were executed by the Bolsheviks on the night of July 16-17, 1918. The magnificent church with its five golden domes is now a pilgrimage site and one of the most visited buildings in Russia. Ganina Yama, a monastery about 15 km north, is located at the site where the remains of the royal family were hidden in an abandoned mine shaft. Seven wooden churches — one for each family member — form an atmospheric memorial in the midst of the forest. The Europe-Asia border runs about 17 km west of the city center. At the obelisk on the Yekaterinburg highway, visitors can stand with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia — a popular photo opportunity. Yekaterinburg's city center surprises with a vibrant cultural life: Vainer Street (Uliza Weinera) is a pedestrian zone with cafes, street art, and the historic Sevastyanov House, a magnificent palace in green and gold. The Yeltsin Center, a modern museum, is dedicated to the legacy of Boris Yeltsin, the first Russian president born in Yekaterinburg. The Urals themselves offer spectacular nature with crystal-clear lakes, caves, and hiking trails.