Known as Sverdlovsk during the Soviet era, Yekaterinburg is located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Russia’s third city might be a little more subdued than Moscow but is has plenty of culture and urban romanticism to offer. Here are 10 reasons you should buy your ticket to Yekaterinburg right now.
Russia’s best city for business and investment, Yekaterinburg is often referred to as the unofficial capital of the Urals – the region, where Russia’s largest metallurgical enterprises are concentrated. Metal produced by Yekaterinburg plants was used to build some of the world’s most illustrious landmarks: New York’s Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Houses of Parliament in London. You can learn about the city’s industrial past (and present as well) on one of many city tours and hear about Yekaterinburg’s first metallurgical plant, built in 1704, and see the legendary Uralmash with your own eyes.
Exceptional museums
Memorial, Museum, Theater
Yekaterinburg is home to 60 museums and art galleries, which host some sensational rarities: like the Kasli iron cast pavilion at the Museum of Fine Arts – the opulently decorated pavilion won the Grand Prix at the Paris Expo 1900. You can explore the literary legacy of the region at the Municipal Museum of Ural Writers, which comprises a theater and three memorial museums, dedicated to life and work of famous 19th and 20th century Russian writers born in the Urals: Dmitry Mamin-Sibiryak, Fyodor Reshetnikov, and Pavel Bazhov. You can also see the region’s wealth at the Ural Mineralogy Museum, holding a unique collection of minerals, and the Museum of Jewelry Art History.
Vibrant art scene
A bustling business centre, Yekaterinburg is also known for its thriving art scene. From iconic figures like the late Old Man Bukashkin to award-winning visionaries like the artist group Where Dogs Run, to provocative street artists like Slava PTRK and Udmurt – the city’s contribution to Russia’s contemporary art is powerful. In attempt to rethink its industrial legacy, Yekaterinburg plays host to the world’s first industrial biennial – a grand-scale art event, which will have its fourth installment in the fall of 2017. For lovers of contemporary art, there are many exciting venues to choose from, like National Center for Contemporary art, NCCA, Yekaterinburg Modern Art Gallery and street art gallery Sweater among others.
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Theatre centre
Home to one of the oldest theaters in Russia, Yekaterinburg boasts around 40 active professional theatres, many of which have gained not only local, but international success. Opened in 1912 the State Academical Opera and Ballet Theater grew to become one of the most celebrated theaters in Russia, where opera legends like Ivan Kozlovsky, Sergei Lemeshev, Irina Arkhipova. To this day the theatre hosts exceptional performances and music festivals, featuring Russian and international singers.The Academic Musical Comedy Theater is yet another legendary place in Yekaterinburg and on the Ural. Founded in 1933, it’s been known for its innovative approach ever since and is still considered to be one of the most inspirational theatres in Russia. The award-winning Kolyada Theatre is one of Russia’s most internationally-acclaimed modern theatres. Among other theaters you should visit are the Drama Theater, the Youth’s Theater, the Puppet Show, and the State Philharmonic Theatre.
First opened in 1991, Yekaterinburg Metro was considered the shortest in the world and even got a mention in the Guinness Book of Records. Now it has several stations and the ride from the first to the last will take you only 19 minutes, but be sure to stop and take a closer look at each of them – they are all unique and exceptionally beautiful.
Gemstones and jewellery
Once rich in gemstones and minerals, the Ural Mountains, and Yekaterinburg as the region’s main city, have become a center for jewelry trade, known for brilliant craftsmen, carving masterpieces out of gemstones. You can still hear some beautiful legends, the Mistress of Copper Mountain being the most popular and visit many very real shops, selling locally made jewellery.
