ganina yama monastery

Took the local train out from Yekaterinburg to the station nearest the monastery, about 3 kilometers away. There are buses that run from the station, but we ended up walking after a helpful local pointed out the direction (there are no signs). Takes around two hours or so to go in to the different churches and cathedrals (there are about 7 in the monastery complex). There are few signs and none in English, so you should have a good sense of the history of the site before going. Overall, a very peaceful place in the middle of the woods, which contrasts with its gruesome history. There is a cafe and small store that sells food (soups, pies, salads) and souvenirs.There are several tours and tour guides that arrange transport to and from the monastery, which I would recommend if you don't speak Russian. We caught the local bus back from the monastery grounds to Yekaterinburg's city center, but had to wait for about an hour and a half for it to show up.

Beautiful simple chapels in peaceful forest, in November snow. Excellent museum. Very respectful exhibits and memorials. Educational on the tragic history.

With it 7 churches each dedicate to a member of the Romanov family this monastery built on the site of the mine where the bodies of the Romanov family were hidden is quite magnificent. The atmosphere does much to express the feeling of the monks who have made this place a memorial to the murdered Czar and his family. It is a quiet and respectful place and well worth a visit.

I wish I'd seen this site 10 or 15 years ago, before the addition of gift shops, restaurant, hotel, churches, statues, etc. It was hard to visualize the tragedy with the mine shaft, now covered with grass, in the midst of what seemed a profit-making venture.

This is an interesting visiting especially if you are into the history of Russian Tsarist period. But generally sad to see how a family were butchered like this.

After the women in our tour group put on maroon skirts, we wandered through the rainy, serene monastery honoring the place where the Romanovs' bodies were thrown into a mine shaft, now considered holy ground-- although Romanov descendants doubt the DNA evidence. It is an interesting place, with monks moving quietly along the paths. Beware the bathrooms.

Expecting a place that pays deep respect to the events that happened. We were disappointed by cheaply and newly built wooden churches. The spiritual element is not really there as it seems like it was just built a couple of years ago with little care to detail.The outside bathrooms are an experience... Try to avoid them if you can!

Great setting.People are not too friendly.Interesting Cathedrals and setting.Yummie cafe of home-made kvas and all tasty pirozhki and salads.Great tea.One issue - toilets are not great.

Yes, the forest is beautiful. But that is. The churches are just churches and have a similar style, so nothing special. People mention a wall with photos and history but I couldn't find it. Maybe that's why I didn't enjoy the visit, although I was really interested in what had happened there. I wouldn't recommend to go there unless you are a religious person.

This is a very peaceful and tranquil place to visit and very poigninat when one remembers what took place here. Wall boards explain to the visitor the story and background history. I am not completely sure of the sainthoods granted to the last Tsar and his family but i have no doubt that they were good people who were caught up and swept away in unalterable and tragic circumstances. It is a sobering place to visit.

The story surrounding this site is terrifying, but the site is beautiful. The churches are placed within the woods and blend beautifully. The pictures on the surrounding wall gives insight to the lives of the Romanov family. Women are expected to cover their heads and wear appropriate length skirts - these are provided free of charge.

Visiting this place was sobering but also very interesting I was struck by how quiet it was and peaceful despite what had taken place there

Although I have my doubts about the saintliness of the Romanovs, this is a wonderful place to visit, especially in the winter. Each of the chapels is built in a different style and there is none of the gross commercialism too often found at such sites.

A beautiful place recreated from the style of yesterday. I find it strange that the family are now all saints, seems an anathema. However that does not detract from the beauty of the place.

The monastery/churches are located in middle of a tall pine wood. The place is unbelievably beautiful, specially if it is rainy (despite its inconveniences). But it is not a common touristic place to go. Go if you feel you are spiritually motivated to do it. It is a place of reflexion, on what happened there, on the way the royal family was murdered, on the changes it brought to the country, etc. It is also out of this world if you happen to arrive at the time of one service, in some of the little churches. The chants, the smell of what they burn, is deeply moving.