Yekaterinburg began here. In 1723, on the Iset River’s banks, workers laid the first stones of a dam and ironworks. The Urals’ industrial era started with the clang of hammers and the hiss of steam.
The square is a record of the city’s growth. Factories once stood where people now walk. Streets and buildings grew around them, but the past isn’t buried—it’s visible in the brick and stone.
You’ll hear the echoes if you listen. The strike of metal, the rhythm of machinery, the shuffle of boots on cobblestones. Time doesn’t move in a straight line here; it piles up in layers.
The Buildings
The structures from the 18th and 19th centuries were built to last. Thick walls, tall windows, straight lines—no ornamentation, just function. Some still serve as museums or cultural spaces. Others have been repurposed, but their original purpose is still clear.
The former Mint is the most striking example. Copper coins for the Russian Empire were struck here. Today, it’s a museum. The vaulted ceilings and sturdy walls haven’t changed. They still carry the weight of the past.
In the 19th century, a mechanical plant here produced equipment for gold mines and railways. The Soviet era brought new purposes, but the industrial spirit remained. During World War II, workshops manufactured military equipment. After the war, they helped rebuild the economy.
Memorial plaques and monuments mark these moments. They’re quiet, but they’re there.
The Dam and the Pond
The dam was built in the 18th century to regulate water for the factories. It still stands. Locals and visitors gather here year-round. In summer, families picnic by the water. Photographers frame shots as the light fades. In winter, the pond freezes into an ice rink. The dam becomes a place to watch the city’s lights.
The river’s scent lingers in the air.
A Place for the City
In warmer months, cafes open and stages host concerts. Winter brings fairs and ice sculptures. Pathways are lined with lampposts and sculptures. Flowerbeds bloom in summer.
It’s in the city center, but it feels separate. Time slows here.
The Founders
A bronze monument at the entrance honors Vasily Tatishchev and Georg Wilhelm de Gennin. They chose this spot. Waterways and trade routes met here. The region’s mineral deposits promised wealth. Their vision built a city.
Walking Through History
Every building, every stone, has a story. You can wander for hours, reading plaques that mark streets once named after factory workshops. Or you can sit on a bench and listen to the water.
The square isn’t a museum. It’s part of the city. The past and present share the same space.
A Space for Today
Younger generations and creative communities use the square now. Street art exhibitions, workshops, and performances happen here. Musicians play on open stages in summer. Winter brings light installations.
The square changes, but its roots remain. The river still flows beside it.
