Yekaterinburg

Founded in 1723 and named after the wife of Peter the Great, the city of Yekaterinburg is now best known as the site of the exile and later execution of the Romanov family.  Rich in resources and a gateway to Asia, the city was renamed Sverdlovsk in Soviet times, changing its name back in 1991.  
 
There’s much to commend the city to the visitor.  The Church of the Blood is a fitting memorial to the murdered Royals, now canonised by the Russian church as “Tsar martyrs”.  With over thirty museums and numerous theatres, it’s strong on cultural attractions too.  A short distance west of the city you’ll find the Europe-Asia marker, visible from the Trans-Siberian trains that cross this vast country. Read more about Yekaterinburg.

Ekaterinburg Arena