Russia's fourth-largest city, an industrial hub with modern skyscrapers and historic landmarks. Home to the Church of the Ascension and gateway to the Ural Mountains.
Yekaterinburg, Russia's fourth-largest city, straddles Europe and Asia in the Ural Mountains. This industrial center has Soviet-era buildings, modern skyscrapers, and numerous museums. You can visit the Church on the Blood, see the QWERTY Monument, or travel to the Europe-Asia border monument outside the city.
Key Sites to Visit
The Church on the Blood is a central site in Yekaterinburg. This ornate structure, completed in 2003, commemorates the Romanov family. To further explore this history, visit Ganina Yama, about 15 km outside the city. This former mine shaft, where the Romanovs' bodies were initially hidden, now has a monastery complex with seven wooden chapels.
Architectural Diversity
Yekaterinburg's cityscape includes various architectural styles. You'll see constructivist buildings from the 1920s and 1930s, such as the Iset Hotel and the White Tower. Modern Yekaterinburg also has some of Russia's tallest skyscrapers, including the 188-meter-high Vysotsky Tower. You can see panoramic views of the city from its observation deck.
Museums and Cultural Venues
Yekaterinburg has many museums and theaters. The Yekaterinburg Museum of Fine Arts displays an extensive collection of Russian art, including Kasli iron sculptures unique to the Ural region. For something different, visit the QWERTY Monument, a large keyboard sculpture on the banks of the Iset River.
Transportation in Yekaterinburg
Yekaterinburg has a comprehensive public transportation system, including a metro line, trams, and buses. The metro is particularly useful for visitors, linking the city center with the main railway station and several key sites. If you're staying in the central area, you can walk to many places of interest.
Local Cuisine
Yekaterinburg's restaurants serve both traditional Russian dishes and international cuisine. You can try local specialties like pelmeni (meat dumplings) or dishes made with locally sourced mushrooms and berries. The Weiner Street pedestrian area has many cafes and restaurants where you can start exploring the city's food scene.
Yekaterinburg's Historical Significance
Yekaterinburg was established in 1723 as a mining and metal-working center, becoming one of Russia's earliest industrial cities. The city gained historical prominence as the location where Tsar Nicholas II and his family were executed in 1918. You can learn about this event at the Church on the Blood, constructed on the site of the execution.
