Welcome to Irkutsk
Siberia, everyone imagines it. Glacial, arid and desertic are the adjectives that best describe the image of this hostile territory. Yet Siberia is not just that.
Irkutsk, capital of Eastern Siberia, is one of the largest cities in central Russia. This city located 3 days train from Moscow, has become the main stop for travellers of the Trans-Siberian . Irkutsk is ideal for diving into the heart of Russia and discovering what Russians call the pearl of Siberia, the Lake Baikal , a few hours of bus, barely, from the city.
Photo credit: Wikimedia - Hons084
The authentic charm of Irkutsk immediately struck the travellers who came to visit the so-called “Paris of Siberia”. Even though resemblance, it does not strike in the eyes, Irkutsk does not lack much interest. Many typical religious buildings join the old wooden houses called "isbas" and their pretty windows.
In 1879, almost all of the city was destroyed by a devastating fire, very few wooden dwellings survived. Despite this drama, Irkutsk was able to reborn from his ashes thanks to the gold rush of 1880 and new stone and brick buildings were born.
The history of Irkutsk is not lacking in relief, it is probably also for this reason that many travelers take the time to discover it. In 2011, on the occasion of its 350th anniversary, the municipality revived the pride of the inhabitants and the tourist interest of the city.
L’Ile d’Olkhon, located a few hours from Irkutsk – Photo credit: Wikimedia – Iñaki LLM
With a new information centre, Irkoutsk offers its visitors a better welcome thanks to its museums but also thanks to the many English-speaking agencies. Anglophone agencies that allow, among other things, to organize a stay on Lake Baikal, which is an essential stop!
Whether or not we are attracted to Siberia, discovering Irkutsk is to do at least once in his life. Authenticity is the most beautiful asset in the city, not to mention the undeniable charm of wooden houses... Traditions, lakes, forests and the atmosphere are themselves the image of Siberia. Irkutsk will surprise you!
To visit her, board the Trans-Siberian or take an internal flight from Moscow or St Petersburg!
Main photo credit: Wikimedia – Baikalsky
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