28 July Yekaterinberg

28 July Yekaerinberg

We have a two day stop off here to catch up on jobs and relax.

This morning we have a tour with our local guide whom is also called Veronika with a k. We go to the Church on Blood in the name of all Russian Saints. It is in town and has been built to symbolise repentance for the deaths of the Romonov Tsar family. This is the equivalent of the Russian Royal Family. They have now all been made saints. They were brutally murdered in the basement of a house they had been imprisoned in. There was no warning, they were just told to go to the basement as the army was approaching. There they were shot. But the women and girls had jewels sewn into their corsets and the bullets would not penetrate so they were beaten with rifle butts. The bodies were then  taken and dropped in a mine shaft and then moved again and butchered and dropped throughout the nearby forest.

No photos were allowed inside the church. Georgia and I had to wear scarves. They had these beautiful icons at the altar that were encased with large rings and pearls which had all been donated by believers. They believe that they have to suffer in order to get favours therefore they give their favourite pieces.

We then went to the forest where they have now built a monastery in the name of Saint Tsar Great Matyrs. There are 7 buildings here – one for each of the Romonovs. A lot of work has gone on and continues here but they seriously need to work on the toilets which were the most revolting on the whole trip yet. Maybe that is part of the suffering that they require for this religion. Very yuk. There are pits where I’m guessing the bodies were.

We stop at the souvenier shop and buy some books and postcards. Maurice tortures us with a CD of religious singing that he buys plays on the bus ride home. Everyone is too tired to walk the town today and we all retire to our rooms for the afternoon. George and I are gonna hit the sauna.