Irkutsk
Irkutsk is a unique ancient city, an old crossroad of trade routes, the capital of Eastern Siberia and the "gate of Baikal." Ancient lacy wooden houses there are adjacent to modern high-rise buildings. Participants in the Decembrist uprising against Tsar Nickolay I, massively sent to exile in Siberia, turned Irkutsk into their cultural center. Today it is one of the largest and most important cities in Siberia, where more than half a million people live. There are many universities, historical churches and museums in Irkutsk.
Irkutsk was founded in 1661 on the banks of the Irkut River, from which came the name of the city. The favorable geographical location of Irkutsk at the intersection of many trade routes largely determined its history and development. The city has become a kind of "window to the East": all expeditions to the Far East, Mongolia, China and Alaska were formed in Irkutsk. The settlement of the Amur banks began from Irkutsk. In the 19th century, gold began to be mined in the Irkutsk province, and after the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway, the city finally strengthened its position.
Despite the incredible distance that separates Irkutsk from the capital of Russia, it can be surely called one of the most popular destinations - moreover, it has become a kind of Mecca for tourists from the whole world, because Irkutsk is the nearest city and airport to Lake Baikal. The deepest, largest and probably the most famous lake in the world is located in just an hour ride from the city.
Irkutsk was founded in 1661 on the banks of the Irkut River, from which came the name of the city. The favorable geographical location of Irkutsk at the intersection of many trade routes largely determined its history and development. The city has become a kind of "window to the East": all expeditions to the Far East, Mongolia, China and Alaska were formed in Irkutsk. The settlement of the Amur banks began from Irkutsk. In the 19th century, gold began to be mined in the Irkutsk province, and after the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway, the city finally strengthened its position.
Despite the incredible distance that separates Irkutsk from the capital of Russia, it can be surely called one of the most popular destinations - moreover, it has become a kind of Mecca for tourists from the whole world, because Irkutsk is the nearest city and airport to Lake Baikal. The deepest, largest and probably the most famous lake in the world is located in just an hour ride from the city.
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Lake Baikal, whose name is translated from one of the local languages as "big water", or simply "sea", is certainly a famous and almost mystical place. It is surrounded by bizarre rocks, each of which is associated with one of the Buryat legends, amazing pine forests and many kilometers of beaches. The shamans of the indigenous peoples who lived here long before the Europeans and preserved their traditions still consider the Baikal Islands "places of power" and regularly gather there for ceremonies. However, people come to Baikal not only for mysticism and beautiful views. Baikal nature is amazing in itself - dozens, if not hundreds of species of animals and plants are unique and are not found anywhere else.
Irkutsk and Lake Baikal are one of the pearls of Russia. Traveling there might be challenging, but when you see how the sun reflects in the soft waves of the largest lake in the world, you will never regret that you've determined to come.
Irkutsk and Lake Baikal are one of the pearls of Russia. Traveling there might be challenging, but when you see how the sun reflects in the soft waves of the largest lake in the world, you will never regret that you've determined to come.
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