In the vast expanses of Siberia there is a wonderful city near the mouth of the Irkut River. The tourist label of the settlement is an honored representative of the magnificent seven Russian villages that have managed to preserve their unique historical appearance and rich cultural heritage. Travelers go to these picturesque regions, famous for the harsh mother winter, to see with their own eyes the miraculous miracle – Lake Baikal and taste the delights of such a delicacy as smoked omul.
Museum of Local Lore
The current picturesque red brick building with snow-white decor was born here in 1883 after a fire that burned down a previously collected collection of Irkutsk local historians and a rich collection of old books. The institution's arsenal mainly contains finds from archaeological parties working on excavations in the 19th-20th centuries.
Within the walls of the scientific institution are stored both chronicles and documentary materials about the life and development of the region over the past centuries. In the general group of thematic establishments, there are 6 branches, all of them occupy separate buildings. History works are concentrated in the most beautiful mansion in the city center.
In other subdivisions, fans of different directions can visit the studio with Siberian home interior items, the natural science department, the Window to Asia exhibition, and the Angara icebreaker. The quarter in which all these complexes are concentrated was nicknamed “Irkutskaya Sloboda” in the city. At the request of tourists, it is possible to organize individual excursions.
Museum of the Decembrists
In Russia, they deeply respect the attempt of the Decembrists, who gathered on Senate Square in St. Petersburg, to overthrow the autocracy. The legacy of these aristocratic families exiled to Siberia is treated with special reverence. That is why this place is always crowded and lively, there are many excursion groups.
The exposition of the popular institution is the personal belongings of the Trubetskoy, Volkonsky, Muravyov, Yushnevsky families, brought here from their estates and estates, as well as what was preserved from their personal apartments in Siberia after the amnesty. All old relics are originals, it seems that they still keep the warmth of the hands of desperate rebels.
The pride of hereditary rarities is the pyramidal piano, from which Maria Volkonskaya herself extracted sounds, following in the footsteps of her husband to hard labor in harsh lands. A delightful pearl among creative creations is handmade beadwork, embroidered once by the spouses of high-ranking princes before the rebellion. Entrance is paid, for photo and video shooting you will also have to pay separately.
Museum of the history of the city of Irkutsk
Bears the name of A.M. Sibiryakov. It is a kind of “head” for as many as 5 institutions: the city exhibition center. V.S. Rogal, which is located on Khaturin Street, the house of folk crafts and folklore and the museum institution of urban life on December Events Street, the Soldiers of the Fatherland complex on Tchaikovsky Street, the main building of the museum with the most detailed theme of “history” on Frank-Kamenetsky Street.
The key task of this whole complex is the education of students and schoolchildren, but it will also conduct excursions for tourists with enthusiasm. The main contingent of visitors: participants of regular annual conferences. The walls of the buildings contain information about honorary citizens of the city. The emphasis in the expositions is made on traditions, features of everyday life, customs of the local people, authentic coloring and its features in different historical eras.
Museum of Military Glory
Visitors are received by the House of Officers, located in one of the oldest historical buildings in the city. Nearby, in the open air, you can see a collection of military equipment from the times of the Great Patriotic War. You can touch it, look at it, take a picture nearby. Some tourists are surprised to state the fact that they had not the slightest idea about some of the exhibits before visiting the site.
The number of combat units, as well as their appearance, is impressive. The “closed” part of the exposition mainly presents documents, awards, personal items, cold steel and firearms of local residents who died on the battlefields. Opening date – 1975, the appearance has not changed much since then.
Soldiers of the Fatherland
The opening of the institution took place in 2004. It is included in the general exposition of the Museum of the History of the City. The main task is to popularize the military history of the Russian state. There are 3 themed rooms at the disposal of visitors. The first of them is dedicated to the participation of Irkutsk citizens in the military battles of the 19th-20th centuries, the name of the hall is “Sons of the Fatherland”. The second room is given to the rarities of the Second World War and the history of life and work of the city in the rear.
The third hall is positioned as a tribute to the memory of the Second World War, it houses the sites “The Fate of a Man”, “The Results of the Work of Search Groups”, “Councils of Veterans”. Every year, among the students of the city, the institution holds an art competition called: “Boys draw war”, as well as an exhibition of essays: “A front-line soldier in my family”. The best works can always be seen within the walls of the institution.
Museum Taltsy
It is located in the Irkutsk region at a distance of 47 km from the city itself. Landmark for an independent route – the Baikal tract. Status – architectural and ethnographic exposition. It is included in absolutely all excursion lists of the region, if only because the place is unusually picturesque and authentic. An additional highlight is the location on the banks of the beautiful Angara.
It is worth coming here for a few hours, as in the “chest” of an open-air establishment there are several separate historical and cultural fragments with their rarities at once. Exciting master classes are constantly held on the territory. Buryats, Evenks, Tofs share the secrets of folk crafts with tourists.
A separate charm of the object is a collection of buildings associated with the ancient wooden architecture of the Baikal places. Among the relics are the works of masters of the ХΥΙΙ-ХХ centuries. The total number of curiosities reaches an almost astronomical figure of 20 thousand units. The Kazan Church of the Ilimsk Ostrog and the Spasskaya Travel Tower are recognized as the most eminent. The most crowded in Taltsy during Orthodox holidays. On Maslenitsa, Easter, Christmas, costumed festivities are held here with delicious treats of national dishes.
Viktor Bronstein Gallery
The most impressive private collection of unusual bohemian creations beyond the Urals. The exposition area with rather intricate exhibits is 1300 sq.m. Among the masterpieces: works of masters of artistic brush, mostly funny sculptures, graphic works. The owner of a colorful institution in every sense is a local celebrity, Professor Viktor Bronstein.
The beginning of a galaxy of modern works of colleagues in the creative workshop was laid by paintings in 1998. The gallery owner's initiative was to support local masters. In 2011, the vernissage debutant already kept so many masterpieces that it began to demand closer attention. Today's version of the art exhibition acquired its appearance all in the same year and since then has only been replenished with new relics.
In the list of works of art, paintings “singing” about the beauty of Lake Baikal, views of ordinary Irkutsk streets, a galaxy of bronze sculptures by Dashi Namdakov, known all over the world, and exhibits dedicated to the jewelry and weapons work of Zhigzhit Bayaskhalanov, stand out. Location – October Revolution Street, entrance is paid, the price tag is moderate.
Alexander Vampilov Cultural Center
Frequent visitors are travelers who love the work of the eminent playwright. They all claim that fans of true art spend a lot of free time here precisely for the reason that a warm and sincere atmosphere reigns in the building, on the stage, in the art gallery rich in rare canvases.
Everything that the staff does for guests is always elegant, stylish, inimitable. As if the inner world of Alexander Vampilov temporarily moves into the walls of an unusual institution. The founder of the center is the Ministry of Culture of the Irkutsk Region. The complex, which quickly fell in love with the public, hospitably opened its doors in 2012.
Here you can see the personal belongings of the master of the word: photographs, posters of theatrical performances and, of course, excellent canvases. For visitors, there is not only the museum exposition “On the mezzanine”, but also a literary and theatrical salon, a library, the splendor of paintings on the walls. If desired, customers can hold their own cultural event in the center, the employees will definitely help them in everything.
Mineralogical Museum. A. V. Sidorova
Without any exaggeration, a chic collection of rocks, minerals and minerals of the Eastern Siberia region. Scientists and geologists managed to collect more than 27 thousand rare specimens in one place. The first exhibits were once obtained by the oldest geologist of Siberia V.I. Tikhomirov. Later, Professor A.V. took up his initiative with his private collection of minerals. Lvov, experts from Germany took an active part.
Now the replenishment of the magnificent collection is mainly done by students of geology. For those who specialize or are interested in this subject, a visit to a museum can be a real professional gift. There really is something here to admire its riches and even be seriously surprised. Separate delights from tourists are addressed to educational excursions around a scientific institution, they even call specialist guides real gurus and talented storytellers.
Experimenter
The institution is entirely devoted to cognitive science, moreover, it was created by a handful of fans of bright experiments from computer scraps and old bicycle wheels. The institution was opened in 2008 on the basis of the local branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The goal is to attract the younger generation to the mysterious world of discoveries.
In the current exposition, tourists can get up close and personal with 150 curiosities, including many funny installations. The main emphasis is on the bins of physics and chemistry, but a lot of space is allotted here for the secrets of nature. Most of all, the public usually gathers near the washing machine, which can relieve stress.
Everyone wants to stick their head in her insides and loudly notify the world about their problems. Other intricate things are no less interesting: sand magically changes its location, a fan depicts a model of the Earth's atmospheric shell, a lie detector in the form of a galvanic pair brings deceivers “to clean water”, billiard balls explain the mysteries of the theory of impulses. You can find an experimenter at the address: st. Lermontov, 277 a, for the entrance ticket – a separate fee.
Art Museum. V.P. Sukacheva
In the register of possessions of this wonderful institution: a detachment of old historical buildings and a picturesque park in the heart of the city. You can list the relics for a long time: a snow-white architectural miracle on Lenin Street, 5 wooden buildings on December Events Street, Gindin's estate on Sverdlov Street, a stone house on Karl Marx Street.
You can visit all the sights included in the list with a single ticket, or you can choose to visit only the place that interests you the most. The birth of this constellation of institutions is due to the head of the capital of the Baikal region, Vladimir Sukachev, who is endlessly in love with his homeland. Now the art museum is rightfully considered a real treasure trove of paintings and sculptures made by outstanding masters of their craft.
The date of birth of the future huge collection is 1870. It began with paintings by Repin, Bryullov, Shishkin, Aivazovsky, excellent copies of the famous paintings by Rubens, Raphael, Correggio. At the beginning of the 20th century, about 100 works of art could already be seen in 2 buildings in the center of the Siberian city, priority was always given to Russian maestros.
A feature of the institution back in the 19th century was the fact that its founder tried in every possible way to promote knowledge about the world of beauty among commoners. Frequent visitors to his estate were not only the local cream of the aristocratic society, but also the poor townspeople. In the 20th century, the heritage of an advanced art lover already has more than 20 thousand masterpieces, and their number is still growing.
Museum “At the landfill”
Organized in the open air at the landfill. Travelers come here with their whole families to marvel at the inimitable collection of rarities from the past, to take pictures near funny metal structures. A separate entertainment is costumed shooting at a shooting range in military ammunition. The infrastructure on the ground cannot be called particularly developed, but if the walk through the art dump stretches for a long time, there is where to rest and satisfy your appetite.
The verdict of tourists: “it seems like a simple trash can, but there are so many mysterious and unusual things.” Many exhibits of military subjects, installations from garbage waste. You should definitely look into the room with old ware blockages from among household relics, which you can’t even see now.
Of the shortcomings, it is worth mentioning the smells inherent in garbage riches, but these costs of museum “production” endure everything patiently. Photos from this place are the most original and uniquely exclusive. Paid entrance.
Museum Estate of V.P. Sukachev
The institution is dedicated to local culture and art. Located on December events street. In the register of exhibits: furniture and household items, beautiful antique dishes, interior solutions from the past, personal belongings of citizens. A separate picturesque charm is an amazing winter garden with songbirds. Periodically, interesting thematic exhibitions are held within the walls of the museum institution.
Tourists who have already visited the city, made an unshakable summary: this place is a must-see in the Siberian region. A wonderful park adjoins the estate, where locals come on weekends to stay in silence and solitude. The pride of this Sukachev house is a collection of original paintings by the artist Aivazovsky. The house and the park are small, but you don’t want to leave them right away, it’s so calm and cozy here. Participation in group and individual excursions is possible.
Museum of urban life
It is part of the Museum of the history of the city. The priority of the exposition is Irkutsk household realities of different eras. With pleasant constancy for visitors, the staff conducts exciting master classes. It is curious to look at the northern interiors, they are designed to keep warm, and games and toys are a way to pass long winters. It is better to go to an institution with the whole family, so that the younger generation can compare: how people lived before and how much easier it has become to survive now.
The verdict of tourists: here you seem to plunge into the past for a while, and it seems very nice and kind. The grain of the exposition is the merchant and petty-bourgeois life around the end of the 19th century – the beginning of the 20th century, although the premises do not differ in fair areas, everything is thought out to the smallest detail, you don’t notice how time flies, so, according to tourists, it is interesting and informative, and even sincere with excellent tour guides.
Planetarium
Highly recommended for visiting the whole tourist family. There are many thematic screenings on the dome screen, the leaders in popularity are: “Black holes. Journey into the Unexplored”, “Phantoms of the Universe. In Search of Dark Matter”, the tour “Starry Sky of Irkutsk” are excellent examples of lecturing skills, equipped with colorful illustrations.
From 21:00 to 2:00, new perspectives are opened up for those who wandered into the institution at night, access to the newest huge telescope is opened, which allows you to see the starry sky with planets as close as possible.
At first, with some irony about the planetary possibilities, tourists in the reviews write that the main asset of a scientific institution is its leader, who knows everything and even more about astronomy, listening to his lectures is an indescribable pleasure, they do not at all resemble boring school material, but unobtrusively invite you to meet the mysteries of the universe and it's very exciting.
Museum of Medicinal Herbs and Minerals
The exposition of the institution, which is rare in terms of subject matter, has no analogues in the world. Each instance of healing vegetation and each mineral is accompanied by detailed information about its features and properties. Another point of interest of the institution is therapeutic mud with data on clinical trials and recommendations of eminent doctors.
There is a conference hall for specialists, tourists can simply get acquainted with rarities from the world of flora and “useful” stones in order to enrich their knowledge box. In addition to the key collection, within the walls of the museum complex there is a whole army of all types of mineral waters, which are only available on the territory of Russia in the register of officially registered by the sanitary supervision.
Here, they are also accompanied by a collection of zodiac stones, caffeine-free tea, works on health improvement methods from medicine gurus from all continents, the culture of herbal medicine, treatment with aromatic oils, and lithotherapy.
The sections are presented according to an approximate classification: Chinese discoveries in medicine, Ayurveda, precepts from Tibet, native Russian herbs, Siberian herbs, “musical” herbs from Persia. Visiting such a place is an incredible success for tourists, there is no other attraction like this anywhere in the world.
Collection of Speshilov
Irkutsk restaurant, where we managed to collect a magnificent galaxy of samovars. The catering point is already famous for its excellent cuisine, and there are also educational entertainments to decorate the leisure of tourists waiting for cooking. Travelers who come here for a light are unanimous in their opinion: cool, stylish, you won’t see any samovars.
The atmosphere is sincere, having seen enough of the rarities, it's time to pay tribute to the delicious desserts and jam from northern berries. The institution is very suitable for the occasion: to warm up and plunge into the Siberian flavor. Exquisitely prepared national dishes are served with locally produced strong drinks, mostly sweet or hot liqueurs, again made from northern berries.
Guides always deserve special praise, their stories about samovars are like a children's fairy tale about the glorious Siberian miracles. Impressions remain the most positive, the restaurant is fashionable and very popular with an experienced tourist audience, so it is better to book tables in advance, the price tag is above average.
Museum-icebreaker “Angara”
A kind of fragment of the past life of the Siberian city. This “grandfather” icebreaker is one of the oldest on the planet. Once the ship served in close connection with the ferry across Lake Baikal, thereby helping to maintain life in the era of severe winter cold. The branch of the Irkutsk local lore store is laid up near the shore and is in excellent technical condition.
The most curious place on it is the engine room, where the male representatives freeze for a long time in delight. The exhibition “On the Waves of the Glorious Baikal Sea” is not without charm, and one of the cabins is stylized as a mini-cinema where you can watch documentary chronicles from the life of icebreakers. The ship also collected a lot of original photographs from different times, personal belongings and documents of the crews are carefully stored.
Angara offers to visit 2 diverse complexes on board, walk along the corridors and cabins, admire the models and models of famous Russian ships. Location – st. Marshal Zhukov, tickets for students and children are cheaper than for the rest of the contingent of tourists.