Ekaterinburg is the third largest Russian city, the administrative centre of the Sverdlovsk region and the capital of the Ural. Sverdlovsk region (Oblast) is one of the most developed and advanced regions in Russia.

Ekaterinburg today is a beautiful city and rich in sights — you may visit a wide range of museums, theatres, cinemas, clubs and restaurants for your enjoyment. People here are more traditional, open and friendly.

Modern emblem of Ekaterinburg

The upper part of the shield is in the shape of a fortress that remembers the role of Ekaterinburg as a frontier outpost during the first years of its existence. The wavy azure line at the bottom symbolizes the Iset River, the connection of the past and the present, the border between Europe and Asia. The bear is a European symbol and the sable is an Asian one. The golden ribbon at the very bottom of the emblem represents Ekaterinburg as a metropolitan city.

Geography and climate

Ekaterinburg is situated in Asia, 1,667 km (1,036 miles) east of Moscow, on the eastern slope of the Ural Mountains along the Iset River. The city is surrounded by forests, mainly taiga, and small lakes.

Lenina Prospect , near the Ural State Technical University–UPI. Photo by Kyptm @ E1.RU

 

Winter lasts for about 5 months — from November to the middle of April and the temperature may fall to minus 30 degrees (but rarely less than minus 25 degrees). The first snow falls in the middle of November and snow covers the city usually by the end of November. Summer in the Ural is rather short and lasts an average of 3-4 months with an average temperature of 23-25 degrees Celsius. Due to the city's location in the heart of the Eurasian continent east of the Ural Mountains, individual natural and climatic characteristics the weather is rather unstable from year to year.

Economy and transport

Historically, the main branches of the regional industry are: machinery, metal processing and ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy.

Ekaterinburg is considered the leading educational and scientific center of the Ural. The Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (UB RAS) and numerous scientific research institutes and establishments are situated in Ekaterinburg. With its 16 state-owned universities and educational academies, as well as a number of private higher education institutions. Ekaterinburg boasts a highly educated and skilled population.

Ekaterinburg also serves as an important railway junction on the Trans-Siberian Railway, with lines radiating to all parts of the Ural and the rest of Russia. It is served by two airports — the international airport Koltsovo and a smaller airport in Aramil.

Sverdlova ul. Photo by BreakTheIce @ E1.RU

 

Ekaterinburg's public transit network includes a Metro (subway) line, trolleybuses, trams, buses and mini-buses. The Ekaterinburg Metro was recorded in the Guinness book as the shortest metro in the world. Constructed in typical Soviet design, all the stations have a unique style and are decorated with Ural stones. The first three metro stations in Ekaterinburg were opened in April 1991. The Metro is served by one depot, Kalinovskoye, with 56 cars providing public transit. The annual ridership is approximately 42.8 million people.

What to see

Approaching Ekaterinburg from the west, the city’s skyscrapers rise above the surrounding forests of fir and birch trees. The city has a unique, modern appearance while preserving its legacy of wood and stone buildings. Named after Catherine I, wife of Peter the Great, history itself is embodied in its streets and avenues, architectural ensembles and attractions. More than 600 historical and cultural monuments are located in the city with 43 of them are considered to be top national attractions because of their special significance.

City view. Embankment of the City Pond. Photo by Stanislav "Poltergejst" Aristov

 

The heart of Ekaterinburg is formed by a Dam or so-called "Plotinka" that permitted the initial development of the city's industrial base. The dam was erected in 1723 and survived two later reconstructions. At present it commemorates an impressive industrial monument of the XVIIIth century. Unfortunately, very few buildings of the old factory area have been preserved. Today the Dam is the most important and significant historical monument where holidays and festivals are usually held. On one side the dam forms a lake called the “Prud” or City Pond, where boats and jet skis provide recreation in the summer, while on the other side the Iset River threads through the city with walkways and parks along its banks.

The Historic center, near the Dam ("Plotinka"). Photo by leonty @ E1.RU

 

At one end of the "Plotinka" you can pay your respects to the city founders — Vasily Nikitovich Tatischev, considered to be the “Father of Russian History,” and Villim de Gennin. The composition is four meters high and has become an attraction to young skateboarders who irreverently refer to the monument as “Beavis and Butthead.” Behind the monument St. Catherine’s chapel provides an Orthodox sanctuary in the midst of the city’s bustling traffic.

The Historic Public Garden contains the remains of the old-time iron-works. Here you can visit the Museum of History of Architecture of the Ural, the Regional Studies Museum and the Fine Arts Museum — the oldest building in Ekaterinburg built in 1764 where a fine collections of paintings by Russian and foreign artists are displayed. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Geological and Mineralogical Museums.

Square of 1905. Photo by leonty @ E1.RU

 

Located a city block away from the dam, the paved Square of 1905, celebrating that year’s revolution, forms the symbolic central part of the city. It's a place for festivals and celebrations. During the week-long New Year’s Holiday the square becomes a place for a so-called "Ice town" - an attraction with many ice statues and ice-runs where parents bring their children to frolic and play.

Park, Ascension Hill (“Voznesenskaya Gorka”) . Photo by Stanislav "Poltergejst" Aristov

 

Ascension Hill (or “Voznesenskaya Gorka”) with its luxurious park is one of the most beautiful and picturesque places in Ekaterinburg. It is beloved by the citizens who come to the City Pond to spend their holidays. The estate and park ensemble, including the famous estate of Rastorguyev-Khatitonov family, date to the first half of the XIXth century. In 1735 the country house of Vasily Tatischev was located here. Erected in 1792 at the top of the hill, the stone building of the Christ Ascension Church is the oldest church in Ekaterinburg. In the beginning of the XXth century Ekaterinburg boasted about 50 churches. Only six of them still remain following the Soviet period.

Probably the most popular place among tourists is the site of the engineer Ipatiev’s house where the Romanov dynasty met its final gruesome end. On July 17, 1918 Tsar Nicholas the IInd, his wife Alexandra and their children Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia, and Tsarevich Alexei were executed by Bolsheviks in the basement of the Ipatiev house. Following the assassination of the Tsar’s family, the Ipatiev House was turned into the “Museum of the Workers Revenge.” In 1977 the Ipatiev House was demolished by order of former Communist Party boss Boris Yeltsin.

The Church on the Blood. Photo by Yulia Svatkovskaya (IMS)

 

In 2000 on the site of the Ipatiev House the impressive, the world famous The Church on the Blood ("Khram-na-Krovi") was erected in memory of Russia’s Holy Martyrs, those who “Shone Forth in the Land of Russia,” a memorial to the Tsar’s Family and all Russia’s saints. On the 16th of July 2003, on the anniversary of the assassination of the Tsar’s Family, they were canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church. Nowadays The Church on the Blood is a pilgrimage destination for many believers. It also serves as a museum of the Romanov family. A small museum displays photos and artifacts devoted to the last few months of the tragic Romanov family. The site of the Ipatiev basement also serves as a shrine to the Romanov family with the roof opened to the central dome of The Church on the Blood.

Among the many monuments in Ekaterinburg are those dedicated to famous leaders of the October Revolution – Sverdlovsk, for whom the city of Ekaterinburg was named during the Soviet period, and Malyshev. The War Memorial “The Black Tulip” commemorates those Russian soldiers who perished in Afghanistan.

"Ural Arbat". Photo by davydoffnet @ E1.RU

 

At the center of the city a wide pedestrian avenue called Vainera, also called the “Ural Arbat” after Moscow’s pedestrian street, has become a very popular shopping street with cafes, jewelry stores, and many unique and original bronze sculptures of local citizens. Not far from the “Ural Arbat” the Lenin Boulevard, divided by a walking park, hosts an open air tourist bazaar selling local paintings, Ural stoneware, and souvenirs.

Architecture

The Ekaterinburg of the XVIIIth century was made of wood, followed by the first stone buildings in the early XIXth century. Most of these were administrative buildings, for example the Main Board of the mining factories, where the Ural Conservatory is located now.

"Intertechelectro" building. The example of different architectural style combination. Photo by Alexey Balakirev @ ZD

 

In the late XVIIIth to the early XIXth century a new architectural style — classicism — influenced Ekaterinburg landscapes. One of the examples of architectural monuments of Russian classicism is the estate of Rastorguyev-Kharitonov merchant family. It is one of the most famous ensembles of the city. Construction of the estate began in 1794 and continued for 30 years.

The first part of the XIXth century is the most remarkable period of town-planning and architectural building of Ekaterinburg. The flourishing of classicism clashed with the period of consolidation and emerging role of Ekaterinburg as the center of the Ural. At this time, according to the general city plan, the center of the city was built up with houses considered to be some of the most impressive examples of the architectural heritage.

At the beginning of the XIXth century many famous Russian architects — Svyaziev, Malakhov, Chebotarev, graduated from the Academy of Art in Saint-Petersburg — established the school of industrial and civil architecture and worked together in the Mining Administration. Some of the early buildings of the XVIIIth century were rebuilt and dramatically changed the city image. Fortunately, the architectural community of Ekaterinburg has made a strong effort to preserve the fascinating wooden buildings that mark the early history of the city. Built on brick and stone foundations, the buildings feature elaborate wooden carvings above the windows and doors. Often nestled between modern high rises or gracing a street corner, they give the city an old world charm.

At the end of the XIXth to the beginning of the XXth century capitalistic trends influenced Ekaterinburg’s development. City architecture symbolized the difficulties in interaction of styles and town-planning principles — the chaotic character of city building and stratification of society.

The Soviet Period brought new trends to Ekaterinburg architecture: luxury and rationalism which reflected the influence of both ideology and asceticism. New tendencies in the development of world architecture have also influenced. Some of the most well known of these structures include the Military Headquarters, the Ural State Technical University (so-called UPI), the Railway Administrative Building and the Philharmonic Society.

From left to right: The City Hospital #2, office building under construction, The Government of the Sverdlovsk Region Building ("White House"), Hyatt Regency Ekaterinburg. Photo by Roman Kukovyakin

 

The period of 1920-1930s saw intense construction activity. The industrialization and development of the region had an effect on the reconstruction of old industrial plants and buildings. The swelling population became a reason for housing and re-building and re-development of old buildings. The first buildings were the printing-house "Granit", the Central Hotel building (1928) and the Hotel “Yarmarka” (1925). There are quite a few buildings in the constructivism style in the city such as the Central Post Office, the “Uralki Rabochi” printing house, the film studio, the famous “White Tower” ordered by Boris Yeltsin, the “Dynamo” stadium, etc. The most interesting examples of constructivism style in public building were clubs for trade union meetings or collective housing estates such as the Officers’ Club House (“Dom Ofizerov”, ODO), the Community center named after Gorky and the Constructor Club building on the corner of Lenin Prospect and Lunacharskogo Street.

The Ural State University (URGU). Photo by Yulia Svatkovskaya @ IMS

 

The Ural State University is an example of so-called "Soviet neoclassicism" where the Ural council of national economy used to be. The building of the Ekaterinburg City Administration, sporting a tall clock tower is situated on the central square – the Square of 1905 year's Revolution. The building has become a symbol of Ekaterinburg, presenting a Stalin empire style reminiscent of Moscow’s Seven Sisters. The building is decorated with columns, pillars and sculptures and faces a large statue of Vladimir I. Lenin.

Culture

The city has several dozen libraries including the V.G. Belinsky Scientific Library, the largest public library in Sverdlovsk region.

The Opera and Ballet House of Ekaterinburg . Photo by leonty @ E1.RU

 

Ekaterinburg is famous for its theaters among which are some very popular theater companies: the Ekaterinburg Academic Ballet and Opera House, the Sverdlovsk Academic Theater of Musical Comedy (legendary company that is very popular in Russia and in the Commonwealth of Independent States countries), the Ekaterinburg Academic Drama Theater, the Ekaterinburg Theater for Young Spectators and the popular chamber theater “Volkhonka”.

Ekaterinburg has introduced to the world some famous opera singers — Boris Shtokolov, Yury Gulyayev, Vera Bayeva — all graduates from the Ural State Conservatory. The Ural Philharmonic Orchestra founded by Mark Paverman and located in Ekaterinburg is also very popular in Russia and in Europe as well as the Ural Academic Popular Chorus — a famous folklore singing and dance ensemble.

Nikolay Kolyada, Denis Lavant. Photo by Alexander Egorov @ U59

 

Ekaterinburg is the center of the so called "New Drama" — a movement of contemporary Russian playwrights: Nikolay Kolyada, Vasily Sigarev, Konstantin Kostenko, Presnyakov brothers, Oleg Bogayev. Ekaterinburg is often called the capital of contemporary dance for a number of famous contemporary dance companies residing in the city: “Kipling”, “Provincial Dances”, and “Tantstrest” with a special department of contemporary dance at the Ekaterinburg University of Humanities.

Vladimir Shahrin, rock group "Chayf". Photo by Valery Kiselev @ ZIK, USTU-UPI

 

A number of popular Russian rock bands, such as "Chayf", Chicherina, “Nautilus Pompilius”, “Agata Kristi” and “Smyslovye Gallyutsinatsii” were originally formed in Ekaterinburg. The “Ural Rock” festival is often considered to be one of the main centers of rock music in Russia.

The historic heart of the city is the Literary Quarter — a block of streets: Pervomayskaya, Proletarskaya and Tolmacheva — filled with restored wooden buildings dedicated to Ekaterinburg’s literary heritage. The atmosphere of olden times is created by log-cabin style houses with cast-iron railings and lanterns, each one commemorating a period of literary history or an individual author such as Dmitry Mamin-Sibiryak or Pavel Bazhov, author of the folk-tale the “Stone Flower.” The entrance to the Literary Quarter offers a monument to Alexander Pushkin, the greatest Russian poet.

In Ekaterinburg there are more than 30 museums, including several museums of Ural minerals and jewelers and art galleries. Here is also one of the largest collections of Kasli mouldings (traditional kind of cast-iron sculpture in the Ural) and the famous Shigirskaya Kladovaya. You may see Shigir Collection of the oldest wood sculpture in the world — the Shigir Idol that was found near Nevyansk and estimated to be made about 9,000 years ago.

Circus and the Ekaterinburg TV Tower . Photo by Stanislav "Poltergejst" Aristov

 

No Russian city can exist without the ubiquitous circus building. The Ekaterinburg State Circus named after Filatov was erected in 1980. Its hall can seat 2 800 people and by all rights is considered to be one of the best circuses in Europe. Near the Circus you may see one of the tallest incomplete architectural structures in the world, the Ekaterinburg TV Tower. Not so far from there is situated the Holy Trinity Cathedral (built in the first half of the XIXth century) and the mansion of the merchant family Zheleznov that was built in the second half of the XIXth century in Russian modernist style.

The Computer Keyboard monument, by Anatoly Vyatkin . Photo by Stanislav "Poltergejst" Aristov

 

There are also examples of modern art in Ekaterinburg, for instance the monument to the Invisible Man placed near the Belinsky Library and the Computer Keyboard monument by Anatoly Vyatkin on the bank of the River Iset.

The dynamics of contemporary life does have its effect on the city. However, good care of its cultural heritage helps to maintain the historical continuity of times and confirms the right of Ekaterinburg to the status of a historical city.

Sights outside the city

The border between Europe and Asia — located forty kilometers (25 miles) to the west of Ekaterinburg. One of several monuments in the Ural, this one straddles the highway to Perm with an obelisk featuring the words “Europe” on one side and “Asia” on the other. A trip to the border between Europe and Asia will certainly become an unforgettable experience because you may stand with one leg in Europe and the other — in Asia. People say that your wish will come true at this spot and many wedding parties come here to have their pictures taken.

Stone Tents on Shartash Lake — one of the most popular recreational sites to visit, among many that surround the city. At first sight, these gray rocks look like remains of some old castle, but in fact they are completely natural. According to archeologists, there was an ancient settlement here. Lovely Shartash Lake is surrounded by woods popular with berry and mushroom pickers.

Ganina Yama wooden temple

 

Ganina Yama — lies 17 kilometers to the north of Ekaterinburg. In the summer of 1918 the remains of the last Russian Tsar’s family were buried here, in what was once a derelict mine. On May 29, 1979 the burial was found by geologists. The monastery dedicated to the Saint Tsar Martyrs was erected here. Seven wooden temples were built on the territory of the monastery surrounding the mine. Each of them has special features but they constitute a united architectural ensemble. A Poklonniy Krest (Cross of Bows) is placed in the center of the monastery. There is also a cross that belonged to the Romanov dynasty and a miraculous icon in the Saint Tsar Martyrs’ Temple.

The Ilmen reserve — the first in the world reserve of stones located in the Ilmen Rocks.

The Verkh-Isetski Pond — the biggest artificial pond on the Iset river 12 kilometers long. It was made in 1724 when building the Verkh-Isetski plant. It is very popular for yacht lovers.

Village of Nizhnaya Sinyachikha — a collection of ancient Russian wood buildings and houses that were carefully moved from their original sights and re-constructed here.

Kungur — one of the oldest towns of the Ural famous for its wealthy trade (especially tea) and Kungur Ice Caves. According to scientists, the cave is 10-12 thousand years old. Some 100 grottoes and 60 lakes are connected by nearly six kilometers of fancifully-branched underground passages. The grottoes host stalagmite columns, stalactite icicles (reaching over 2 meters), and ice and snow patterns.

“Belaya Gora” (White Mountain) Monastery — the biggest church in the Ural, just off the road from Perm to Kungur. Ever since ancient times, the monastery served as a place for salvation and prayer, well known for its strict regulations. Monks who had broken moral and legal norms were sent to Belaya Gora for improvement, even from very far away places. Especially in winter months, Belaya Gora looks astonishingly beautiful. From the elevation, one has a 360 degree view over the typical vast forest landscape of the Ural.