GANINA YAMA

After the fall of the USSR, reports indicating the probable place where the bodies of the imperial family had been buried (more precisely whitewashed and then burned) began to emerge from the archives. While several places are competing for this sad privilege (the Civil Guard has filled the forests of the Urals with mass graves), it seems that Ganina Yama now enjoys unanimous support, as shown by the visit of Metropolitan Kirill II in 2010. A monastery now stands around the former mine-hole where the remains of the Romanovs were dumped.
The place inspires respect, with photos depicting the life of the imperial family at the beginning of the 20th century. The photos of the tsarines and the little tsarevicth are particularly touching (some of them seem almost current). The tomb itself, a sort of depression in fact - forgotten during the 75 years of the communist adventure - is marked by a simple wooden cross. A simplicity that marks this place lost in the forest, but where the fervour of a whole people is expressed.

How to get there. The site is located north of Ekaterinburg, in the direction of Nizhniy Tagil. After about 15 km, turn left in the direction of Shuvakish, then continue along the road, the indications appear. Bus 223 leaves from the Metro stop Machinostroitelei (or Peduniversitet) which is located at the intersection of Frontovykh brigad street and Prospekt Kosmonavtov (every 2h30 - 45 minutes ride). There are also buses leaving from Severny bus station (every 3 hours).