Why was Irkutsk called Siberian Paris?

One hundred years ago, Irkutsk was called Siberian Paris. This city today amazes with its beauty. Architecture attracts a wide variety of styles: classical, modern, Siberian Baroque, and Old Russian pagan architecture – Irkutsk can never be called faceless.

Perhaps one of the most memorable buildings in the city is the wooden house of the merchant Shastins, built over a hundred years ago. Generously decorated faces, fancy turrets, fine carvings of window plates – this house is lace gossip. The House of Europe – now called the “lace” mansion – is on the World Heritage List, often hosting exhibitions, conferences, and official meetings.

Nearby is the Museum of Urban Life – another beautifully preserved wooden building where anyone can learn about the history of Irkutsk. Prince SP Troetsky and S.G. Both were Decemberists after the Volkonsky rebellion was deported to Siberia. After several years of hard work, they were sent to a settlement in the city with their families. Now, these buildings have a museum, the details of which tell of the hardships of emigration and their families.

Irkutsk even has a White House – the palace of the merchant Sibiriakov. The palace is built in a classic style. At one time, he liked the Bolsheviks very much. The headquarters of the Central Executive Committee of the Siberian Soviets, the Military Revolution Committee, and the Red Guard were located here. And now here’s the university library.

The entire quarter of the city – Irkutsk Sloboda, with dozens of architectural monuments including hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, blacksmiths, and pottery workshops – is an attractive place for city guests.

Another area of ​​interest is the area of ​​the three churches. It was here, in 16161, that Jakob Pokhabov set up an isolated Irkutsk prison. The confluence of the Irkut River at the Angara was perfect for livestock breeding and agriculture, and the waterway connected it to other Siberian villages. “The place is the best,” Cassack Yenisei told the governor.

In 1706, the famous Spassky Church throughout the region was built here. It is the oldest existing stone structure in eastern Siberia. The church is still in service; also, there are plenty of bells, there is a red stone Gothic building in the square. It is a former Polish church. Earlier, the Roman Catholic Church in its place was completely destroyed by fire in 1879. The new building was constructed at the expense of exiled parishioner-poles. Now here’s the Philharmonic organ.

Epiphany Cathedral – the second oldest temple in a nearby town. A bell tower was built here in the eighteenth century, where anyone could climb during Easter week.

After touring the city and checking out all the sights, you can buy a train ticket and head to Lake Baikal. A real-time trip awaits you: the road is lined with tunnels, bridges and viaducts, breathtaking landscapes, and endless blue bikes.