English

  Let’s make a tour around Irkutsk!
  Just imagine that you’ve come to our Linguistic University that is situated at the main square of the city - the Kiroff square. So, it will be the starting-point of our excursion.
  Irkutsk was founded in 1661 by Yakov Pokhabov’s detachment. The city was called after the Irkut River, which, in its turn, means “the rapid stream”. So, Irkutsk means “the city near the rapid stream”. The location of the new city was favorable – the Angara river from one side, the Ushakovka river from the other, the wall that was built by the founders of the fortress served as a border too. The location of the original fortress is easy to imagine if we draw a triangle on the map with the apexes at three churches: the Spasskaya church, the Bogoyavlensky cathedral and the Roman-Catholic Church. The first church was built in 1672, but it fell down quickly because it was wooden. In 1710 the stone Spasskaya church was built on the very place. Now it’s a museum where the icons of Spas Nerukotvorniy, Saint Mitrophan and Saint Nicholas are placed. The unique fresco that represents the first Irkutsk bishop, Innokentiy Kluchizkiy, and the christening of local citizens is situated at the right side of the church. The main cathedral of Irkutsk, the Bogoyavlensky Cathedral was built in 1879. Now it’s the only cathedral that has a hipped roof. The Roman-Catholic church was constructed in 19 century by the money of deportee here poles. Now there are no services here because it is the organ hall of the Irkutsk Philharmonic Society.
  There is the Eternal Fire not far from these churches. It was opened in 1975 in honour of heroes who had died during the World War II. The earth was brought from the places where the fiercest battles happened. There is a tradition to lay flowers on a monument by newly-married in their wedding day. Not far there is a monument to Beloborodov, the famous general of the Siberian army. The height of viaduct that is situated not far from here conforms to height of the walls of the original fortress.
  Public institutions are also located at the square. Town government, which was built as early as 18 century, and the House of the Soviets, at which place till 1932there was a unique Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of our Lady, the fourth in Russia by its beauty and size in Russia. At the time of Soviet Union it was blew open. Specials rails were tracked to remove remains and as a result the square level raised one meter. In 2000 The Chapel of Cathedral was built near the Administration.
  The hotel ”Angara” was the first building in Irkutsk higher than the fourth floor.
  The Kiroff square is a popular place among people of all ages. A lot of people like to have a rest, meet and even prepare for exams here.
  The building of the VostSibUgol (East-Siberian Coal Company) is situated on the opposite side of the square, it is at the former location of Tikhvinskaya Church that was demolished at Soviet time.
  Lenin Street is one of the most beautiful in our city. A great number of historical buildings is situated here. On the right side is the building of The Central Bank, faculties of The Medical university (before the revolution it was the Bazanovski foundling hospital), then – the building that belongs to polyclinic (before the revolution it was the Russo-Asian Bank), opposite is the monument to Lenin ( Lutheran church was situated here before). On the left side one can see The Irkutsk Regional Arts Museum (the former building is the State Boys Secondary School) and Baikal State University of Economics and Law (earlier - Alexander-Mariinsky Municipal School of Five Classes).
  In 1686 Irkutsk was officially declared a city. By this time it has changed considerably. The city traded with China and controlled a lot of other important trade routes as well, so that it helped Irkutsk to raise its cultural, economical and political level.
  Irkutsk merchants soon became the richest in Russia. You can feel the spirit of that time by walking down Karl Marks Street (Bolshaya Street before the revolution) which crosses Lenin Street. Almost all the buildings are upwards 100 years. Exactly here the houses of the prosperous merchants, such as Vtoroff, Trapeznikoff, Bazanov and many others are situated. The Nature Museum is a former place of the house that belonged to the merchant Prossokhin. Not far from crossroad one can find The Art Theatre.
  However it’s not only the historical street, it is also a youth one. “Stratosphera”, one of the most popular nightclubs in our city is also located here.
  At the intersection of Lenin and Karl Marks Street there is a place of a great popularity. Here the buildings of Irkutsk Philharmonic Society and the Young People’s Theatre are situated. Before the revolution both buildings were occupied by Public Club, where the first film in Irkutsk was demonstrated. It was also possible to see the ballet as well as to listen to the famous singers and poets. At other time the Hotel, Commercial club and Public House were also located here. Opposite is the “Trud” stadium, the place of different sports matches and concerts of famous super-stars that come to our city. Not far from here is situated The Academic Dramatic Theatre after the name of Ohlopkov, that is famous not only in Irkutsk but far outside. Let’s go down Karl Marks Street to reach the Angara Embankment. This place is popular among people of all ages, especially the young. It’s possible to go to the nightclub, pizzeria or just walk here. The State University and its library that is called “White House” are situated not far from here. The monument to Emperor Alexander III is the most popular place for dating. He was a tsar who built the Trans- Siberian Railway which was the final act in connecting Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The emperor is represented in the uniform of an ataman of Siberian Cossacks. In 1920 the monument was demolished and in 1964 just a spire was placed here. Recently the monument has been reconstructed according to photographs. One can the coat of arms of Irkutsk is represented at pedestal, it represents “babr” (a tiger) carrying a sable in his teeth, which represents the wealth of the city.
  Here we finish our little excursion. Hope you’ve enjoyed it!