Why Discover the Ganina Yama Monastery
One of the most visited places during Ekaterinburg tours is the Ganina Yama Monastery, built in memory of the Romanovs, Russia's last royal family. Where today stands the tsar's Monastery Of The Holy Imperial Passion-Bearers, years ago, was the place where the bodies of the Romanov family were buried. The holy landmark, located 9.5 miles from Ekaterinburg, is among the most significant pilgrimage sights in entire Russia.
The story begins in 1917 during the Russian Civil War when the royal family was exiled to this part of the country by Bolsheviks. They spent over a year in Tobolsk but, tragically, on the night of July 17, 1918, Tsar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra, their five children, and four servants were shot in the Ipatiev House basement, in the city of Ekaterinburg. Their bodies were buried and haven't been found until 1991 in Ganina Yama, all except the youngest daughter Anastasia and son Alexei. This was actually one of the main reasons why, for decades, there existed rumors that some of the Romanovs had survived.
Anastasia's Romanov story
In this story, Anastasia plays a significant role. People had lingering hopes that the children had escaped the massacre, especially when the woman named Anna Anderson appeared. She was rescued from a Berlin canal in 1920 and claimed that she was the real princess. Charming Anna Anderson was a hilarious and intelligent woman just like Anastasia! Her incredible princess story made people believe in miracles, cheering up the whole country.
But after some time, Anastasia's real body was located. It was revealed that Anna Anderson wasn't a real Romanov and was proven to be a German woman who had post-traumatic stress disorder. Have you ever watched a Disney movie "Anastasia"? the Russian tsarina's story inspired the film creators.
The Ganina Yama Monastery was established as a memorial to the royal family whose mortal remains were reburied together with other Russian tsars in St. Petersburg's Peter and Paul Cathedral in 1998. The complex is also home to a Russian Orthodox Church with seven chapels for each family member.
Although the wooden monastery may appear to look pretty simple with contrasting bright green roofs and golden domes, you will find icons of the family members and many black and white personal pictures, where they look happy, just like any other family.
Those planning to travel to Ekaterinburg or go on a Trans-Siberian tour should surely save some time to visit this remarkable site.