The Siberian city is located in a picturesque place on the Angara River. The most famous lake in the world, Baikal, is located a few dozen kilometers from Irkutsk. Many tourists on their way to Lake Baikal perceive Irkutsk as an intermediate point on the route, but in vain. The city, whose history began more than 350 years ago, has something to see - ancient architectural monuments, gardens and parks, interesting buildings of different religious denominations.
There are many interesting museums in Irkutsk. It is worth starting with a visit to the local history museum, where you can get acquainted with the history of the development of the Siberian region. The preserved estates of the Volkonsky and Trubetskoy Decembrists are of particular interest. It will be unusual to visit the museum located on the pre-revolutionary Angara icebreaker. And the most creative is the museum "On the dump".
The most interesting and beautiful places
List, photos with names and descriptions of the best sights of Irkutsk. He will help you plan routes for exploring the top places of the city in 2-3 days.
Lake Baikal
It is only 70 km from Irkutsk to the most famous lake in the world - Baikal. It is the largest freshwater body of water on the planet. A unique natural site is taken under the protection of UNESCO. Hundreds of thousands of tourists come to him, for whom there are many options for recreation. You can ride on the lake on motor ships and boats, and in winter on unusual hovercraft. The most popular places among travelers are Listvyanka and Olkhon Island.
Lower embankment of Angara
One of the oldest streets in the city is located in its historic center. Its appearance began to be created in the 17th century. The length of the embankment is 900 meters. You can start walking along it from the observation deck of the lower tier, which offers an excellent view of the Angara and the Epiphany Cathedral. On the embankment itself there are monuments to the founders of the city, a teacher, a surveyor-prospector.
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Cathedral of the Epiphany
Located at the Lower Angarskaya Embankment. This is one of the oldest buildings in the city - it was founded in 1718. The stone building suffered several times from earthquakes - vaults cracked, domes were damaged, crosses fell. Now it is one of the most beautiful temples in the city. It is elegantly decorated with tiles and kokoshniks, the windows are decorated with intricate platbands. The high domed belfry attracts attention.
130th quarter
A quarter with historical buildings artificially created in the city center. It includes over 30 wooden buildings of cultural value. Houses on the territory of the quarter were built in the 18th century. Several houses were moved to Irkutskaya Sloboda from other parts of the city. Some of the houses are remakes, built according to old drawings. There is an unusual monument to a dog of the Corgi breed and a Circle of Desires in the quarter.
Sculpture "Babr"
Installed at the entrance to the 130th quarter. Babr is the heraldic symbol of Irkutsk. In Siberian dialect "babr" means "Amur tiger". However, when the emblem was approved by Emperor Alexander II, a mistake crept into the documents - the word "babr" was replaced by "beaver". The artists did not dare to contradict the imperial decree, and in the image on the coat of arms they added webbed hind legs and a wide beaver tail to the tiger.
Kirov Square
Previously, the square was called “Ploshchad im. Speransky ", before that the square was called the Kremlin, Gostinodvorskaya, Tikhvinskaya. The main square of the city is located in its historical center. Back in the 17th century, the square was the center of trade and entertainment for Irkutsk residents. Now, mass city events are held in the park, in winter they set up a Christmas tree and build an ice town. The dominant feature of the square is the building of the House of Soviets.
Boulevard Gagarin
The pedestrian boulevard in the Right-Bank District is one of the favorite places for recreation and mass festivities among Irkutsk residents. From the boulevard you can enjoy the views of the Angara and go on a boat trip from the pier. The formation of the street began in the 17th century. Several stone buildings from those times have survived to this day. Monuments to the dead policemen, the Baikal seal, Alexander III, a bust of Gagarin have been erected.
House of merchants Shastin
Also known as the lace house. Built in the 19th century in the Russian Baroque style. Most of the decoration of the house appeared in 1907, when the merchant Shastov became the owner of the house. The roof of the house has complex outlines with turrets, the facade is decorated with decorative figures and carved wooden posts. Window frames have a unique embossed "lace" carving and graceful ornament.
Irkutsk Museum of Decembrists
After the uprising on Senate Square in 1825, the Decembrists Trubetskoy and Volkonsky were sent into exile in Irkutsk. In 1925, a museum was founded in the estates where they lived. The expositions of the museum acquaint with the exiled life of the Decembrists, their authentic things are kept. The estates are the most visited museum sites in Irkutsk. They retained the atmosphere of the 19th century, they conduct master classes on noble etiquette.
Irkutsk datsan
A young temple complex, founded at the beginning of the 21st century instead of the old wooden house, which has housed a Buddhist community since the 19th century. Located at the crossroads of Zimnyaya and Barrikadnaya streets. In the center of the park there is a small but beautiful three-tiered temple built in the ancient Chinese style. The edges of its roofs are bent upward; sculptures of lions stand at the entrance. The white lotus stupa has three levels.
Znamensky monastery
Convent at the confluence of the Ushanka River with the Angara. This is the largest and oldest monastery in Siberia. It was founded in 1689. Now it is a popular place for both pilgrims and tourists. Travelers are attracted by the architectural style of the Siberian Baroque near the buildings of the monastery. The main Church of the Sign was built in 1757. Also on the territory there is an old necropolis and a monument to Kolchak.
Ship-museum "Angara"
One of the oldest icebreakers in the world. Made in Great Britain, launched in 1900 at Lake Baikal, where it was brought disassembled. At the present time, it is in an eternal parking lot in the Irkutsk reservoir, a museum has been founded in its restored premises. Visitors can see the engine room and engine of the icebreaker, real ship instruments, models of ships that have been sailing on Lake Baikal since the 17th century.
Architectural and Ethnographic Museum "Taltsy"
A unique complex with many buildings, which are a monument of history and architecture, located 47 km from Irkutsk. About 20,000 exhibits have been collected in the open air - parish schools, a Cossack estate, a cascade of mills, the Kazan Church, the Spasskaya Tower, peasant estates, an ulus-letnik. The exhibits are divided into ethnic zones - Evenk, Russian, Buryat, Tofelar. They will lead master classes in folk crafts.
Gardens and parks of Irkutsk
The most popular park in the city is located on an island in the middle of the Angara River. There are attractions here, you can walk and sit in a cafe. Another interesting place is the Irkutsk Botanical Garden.
Park "Yunost Island"
You can get to the island on the Angara by crossing the bridge from Gagarin Boulevard. A small forest area has been ennobled and now it is a favorite place to relax away from the bustling city. A children's railway with a length of 3 km has been laid on the island. You can get a dose of adrenaline in the cable car park. There is a tennis court, volleyball and soccer field. You can ride a catamaran in the bays. Several cafes have been built.
Irkutsk Botanical Garden
Occupies an area of 27 hectares in the Kayskaya relict grove.Its floristic collection consists of 5000 species from all over the world - tropical and subtropical plants, coniferous and deciduous trees, medicinal herbs, fruit and berry crops. Various types of excursions are conducted for visitors - survey, in-depth, thematic. The most popular walks are through the greenhouses and the small arboretum. There is a shop with interesting colors.
Memorial Park "Jerusalem Mountain"
From the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century, there was a cemetery on this site. Representatives of prominent merchant families, outstanding architects, artists, honorary citizens of the city were buried here. In Soviet times, the Central Park of Culture and Rest was laid out on the site of the necropolis. Since 2016, this area has received the status of a memorial park. The surviving tombstones are under glass, information stands have been installed.
The best museums of Irkutsk
The most interesting museums in the city, which are definitely worth visiting.
Victor Bronstein Gallery
This is a large art gallery, the exhibition halls of which have an area of 1300 m², and the number of exhibits in it exceeds 1500. The initiator of the creation of the gallery is the patron, collector and businessman Viktor Bronstein. Paintings and sculptures are exhibited. A special place is occupied by the exhibition of dolls by Dasha Namdakova. The gallery has a shop where you can buy works of authorship by recognized and young masters.
Irkutsk Regional Museum of Local Lore
Founded in 1782. The main branch, which is located in a 19th century mansion on Karl Marx Street, houses the history department. There are 7 departments in the museum, including the Rasputin Museum and the Angara Icebreaker. Among the exhibits are archaeological finds from the Paleolithic era, geological and zoological exhibitions, furniture of the 19th century. Some of the expositions are devoted to the development of the Angara region. There are bus tours around the city.
Art Museum named after V.P.Sukachev
A complex of 9 historic buildings and a large park. The main building of the museum is located on Lenin Street - a stone two-story mansion built at the beginning of the 20th century, surrounded by a picturesque garden. The museum funds contain about 23,000 works of art - painting, sculpture, graphics. The most valuable collections are rare monuments of the ancient peoples of the Baikal region, objects of ancient Russian art and the countries of the East.
Museum "In the Landfill"
An unusual museum located at a solid waste landfill. The gates to the museum are made in the form of an old prison by the workers of the landfill on the initiative of its chief. The territory of the exhibition area is separated from the place of waste disposal. On it are two military frigates, siege weapons, horse and foot men at arms. All exhibits are made from recycled household waste.
Museum of the history of the city of Irkutsk
Tells about the way of life, life and culture of Irkutsk people in different time periods - from the first settlements to the present. There are expositions of archeology and ethnography. Dioramas were created, depicting the bright outfits of the ancient inhabitants of the Baikal region. In total, over 60,000 exhibits are kept in the museum's funds. The main department of the fund is located in the luxurious mansion of the merchant-patron of the arts Sibiryakov on Frank-Kamenetsky Street.
Valentin Rasputin Museum
Dedicated to the work and life of the writer. Located in a 19th century wooden mansion on Sverdlova Street. Rasputin's family donated Rasputin's personal belongings, furniture from his study, manuscripts, documents, photographs to the museum. This made it possible to recreate the realistic atmosphere in which Rasputin lived and worked in the museum. Of particular interest is his extensive personal library, which contains many dictionaries of the Russian language.
The main theaters of Irkutsk
The best theater and concert venues in the city are drama and musical theaters. If you are in Irkutsk for a few days, be sure to visit their performances of the event.
Drama Theater named after N. Okhlopkov
Founded in 1850. Since 1897, it has been housed within the walls of a special stone building built for it on Karl Marx Street, which is officially recognized as a masterpiece of architecture. The building is distinguished by excellent finishes and excellent acoustics of the halls. The main stage hall can accommodate 400 spectators. The theater's performances will be of interest to different audiences - the repertoire includes both classical and modern performances.
Musical theater named after N.M. Zagursky
Created in 1941. The main troupe consisted of artists from the Gorky Theater of Musical Comedy. Every year the theater holds major festivals "Jazz on Baikal" and "Stars on Baikal", which attracts the stars of the world stage. The theater's own repertoire includes about 30 performances - opera and rock opera, ballet, musical, operetta. The theater has a museum, and exhibitions of photographers and artists are often held in the foyer.
Theater for Young Spectators named after A. Vampilov
The main repertoire is designed for a children's audience. However, the history of the theater began in the 1920s with propaganda performances. A few years later, he was retrained in the Youth Theater, his own building appeared on Lenin Street. The theater began to stage performances based on the works of Russian and world classics; fairy tales for children were especially popular. Many performances were performed based on the plays of the Irkutsk playwright Vampilov.
Puppet theater "Aistenok"
Since its foundation in the 1930s, the Irkutsk puppet theater has toured a lot - both in large cities and in villages and towns. In wartime, the actors of the puppet theater showed performances at the points of hostilities. Now the theater is located within the walls of a building on Baikalskaya Street, which all children of Irkutsk know. Children's performances are staged according to the famous favorite fairy tales - "The Ugly Duckling", "Kolobok", "Aibolit".
Architectural landmarks of Irkutsk
The most notable and recognizable monuments of architecture and urban planning are the Arc de Triomphe and the building of the railway station. There are also beautiful old houses in Irkutsk.
Irkutsk "White House"
The architectural monument on Gagarinsky Boulevard has a rich history. The Empire style mansion was erected in 1804 for the Siberian merchant, and in the middle of the 19th century it became the residence of the governors of Eastern Siberia, including the famous statesman Muravyov-Amursky. In the post-revolutionary years, the walls of the luxurious mansion were occupied by the Siberian Central Executive Committee. Currently, it houses the Irkutsk University.
Feinberg House
The former merchant house is located on Khalturin Street. Initially, it was conceived as a residential building with retail premises, but it was built as a residential apartment building. The house consists of several parts. The main stone building is adjoined by wooden ones. The building, which is an architectural monument, housed the administration of the Baikal Railway; now it houses an art college.
Moscow Triumphal Gates
The Triumphal Arch in Irkutsk was built in 1811, in honor of the 10th anniversary of the reign of Emperor Alexander I. It was erected on the Moscow highway - the exit from Irkutsk to the European part of the country. Now it is the Lower Embankment of the Angara. The Bolsheviks wanted to destroy the arch in 1911, but social activists defended it. Nevertheless, in 1928, the Triumphal Gate, dilapidated from old age, was dismantled. They were restored to their original form in 2011.
Fire Tower
The old building known to all Irkutsk residents is located on Timiryazev Street. Once it was the tallest building in the city, its height is 26 meters. The tower was built in the middle of the 19th century and it performed its direct functions until 1989. Around the clock the guards on it carried their watch and gave signals in case of fire, during the day - with flags, at night - with lanterns. Now the tower houses the museum of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Irkutsk.
Railway station of the station "Irkutsk-Passenger"
It opened in 1898 and has been constantly expanding due to the constantly increasing passenger traffic. The common building unites 4 buildings of different times.Already at the time of construction, it was one of the most beautiful and monumental buildings in the city. Subsequent buildings were built in the same architectural style. Now the station complex is a federal architectural monument. About 8000 passengers are served daily.
Cult places of Irkutsk
The most famous operating churches and temples of the city.
Church of the Savior
The Orthodox church was built in the center of the city, on the site where the Irkutsk Kremlin used to be. The temple was founded in 1706. A special feature of the church is the paintings on the outer walls, applied in the 19th century and restored in the 1970s. Three compositions, placed on the eastern facade, depict the rite of baptism of the population, the baptism of Jesus and a group of saints. In 2006, a large-scale reconstruction of the church took place.
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Kazan Church
Built at the end of the 19th century. It is considered the most elegant church in Irkutsk. In the 2000s, the church received a cathedral status, the townspeople often call it "the new Kazan Cathedral", remembering the old cathedral, which was blown up by the Bolsheviks in 1934. The Kazan Church attracts tourists with its unusual view - golden domes rise above the red walls. The area around is very beautiful - there is even a small pond in which swans live.
Holy Cross Church
A striking old building, in the opinion of many townspeople and guests of the city, is an adornment of Irkutsk. The church was built in 1747 on Sedova Street, in the historic center of the city. This is the only religious building that has preserved the interior of the 19th century. All external walls of the church are decorated with intricate patterns - geometric shapes and floral designs. The walls are white and the domes are green.
Kharlampievskaya church
Located in the historical center of the city on the 5th Army street. The stone building of the church was laid in 1777 instead of the wooden church of 1738. Previously, the church was called the "Sea Temple". In it, sailors were blessed before sailing. In 1904, the priests of the church blessed Kolchak's long campaign to the Arctic Ocean along the Lena River, in the same church Kolchak married Sofya Omirova.
Roman Catholic Church
Located near the embankment on Sukhe-Bator street. It was built at the end of the 19th century at the expense of the Polish community, therefore it is also known as the Polish Church. After the cessation of services in 1938, the walls of the church were occupied by the East Siberian Film Studio. At this time, all interior interiors were redesigned for the needs of the new owners. Currently, the church houses the organ hall of the Irkutsk Philharmonic.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady
The main Catholic church in Irkutsk. It opened in 2000. The decision to build was taken after unsuccessful attempts to return the Roman Catholic Church to the Catholic community. The new temple has a large capacity. Its appearance is not typical for Catholic buildings. The cathedral was built in the style of constructivism. The dominant feature of the cathedral is two tall towers connected by a miter-shaped lintel. The altar of the cathedral is made of Baikal jade.
Where to go with children in Irkutsk?
If you come to Irkutsk with children, you should visit the local nerpinarium. Trained Baikal seals will not leave you indifferent, you will definitely like it here.
Nerpinary "Aquarium of the Baikal seal"
Provides a unique opportunity to see the performance of the inhabitants of Lake Baikal - seals. Many inhabitants of the non-national were rescued at a young age from hunters, and they also bring weak and sick animals to the aquarium that cannot survive in their natural environment. Trainers teach seals to perform interesting tricks and funny numbers. The seal show can be seen on Zheleznodorozhnaya Street in Irkutsk, as well as in the village of Listvyanka.
Irkutsk Zoo
Opened on the basis of the station of young naturalists in the botanical garden in 2011. Since then, the zoo has been actively expanding, with new inhabitants appearing every year. The first abodes - goats, chickens, ferrets, ponies - were donated by farmers and citizens of Irkutsk. Now the zoo is home to about 50 species of different animals, including meerkats, noses, Nile fruit bat, raccoons. Of the birds, the white peacock and the emu are especially interesting. There is a reptile terrarium.
Monuments and memorials of Irkutsk
The most famous monuments and monuments that adorn the streets and squares of the city.
Memorial "Eternal Flame"
Located on the Lower Embankment of the Angara. Opened in 1975. Dedicated to the feat of the Irkutsk people during the Great Patriotic War - both to the soldiers who fought at the front and to the home front. Many ordinary residents of the city took part in the construction of the memorial complex, even schoolchildren helped to lay concrete slabs. In addition to the bowl of the Eternal Flame, the complex includes marble slabs on which the names of the dead Irkutsk residents are engraved.
Monument to Kolchak
Opened in 2004 for the 130th anniversary of Kolchak. Made by sculptor Klykov. The height of the monument is 4.5 meters. Installed at the walls of the Znamensky Monastery, in the place where the leader of the White movement was allegedly shot. The initiator of the installation of the monument was the philanthropist Sergei Andreev. The opening ceremony was attended by deputies of the city administration, the regional governor, Irkutsk Cossacks.
Monument to Alexander III
For the first time, a monument to the Russian emperor was erected in 1908. However, the Bolsheviks who came to power demolished it in 1930. The restoration of the monument took place only in 2003. Personalities significant for the formation and development of Siberia are depicted on different sides of the pedestal - Mikhail Speransky, Ermak Timofeevich, Count Nikolai Muravyov-Amursky. On the eastern side of the pedestal there is an image of the coat of arms of the Russian Empire.
Monument to Leonid Gaidai
The sculptural composition is located near the circus. It includes not only the figure of the famous director, but also the sculptures of the famous trinity - Coward, Goonies and Experienced. The monument was opened in 2012, since then a rare tourist leaves Irkutsk without a photo with celebrities of Soviet cinema. Gaidai is depicted sitting in the director's chair. He looks at the actors portraying a popular scene from Prisoner of the Caucasus.
Monument to Yakov Pokhabov
The monument to the explorer and founder of the city was erected in honor of the 350th anniversary of Irkutsk in 2011. It is located on the Lower Embankment of the Angara, it is believed that the history of the city began in this place. In 1661, a prison was founded here, at which a small settlement arose, which later became Irkutsk. Architect Yuri Volchok and sculptor Mikhail Pereyaslavets worked on the monument to the militant Cossack.
Tank "Irkutsk Komsomolets"
The installation of the monument is dedicated to the memory of the tank brigade of Irkutsk, which was built at the expense of the city's Komsomol members during the war years. The tank is located at the crossroads of Sovetskaya and December events. The monument was unveiled on May 9, 1977. There is a real tank on the pedestal, produced in 1944. He took part in real hostilities and reached Prague as part of the advancing Soviet army.
