Imperial Geographical Society Museum

  The first museum burnt down in 1879 together with the great library. The new building was constructed in 1882. Money was collected from the entire country by subscription. A great amount was given by Irkutsk merchants. By 1883 the building contained two halls: one for exhibitions and one for the meetings of members of the Geographical Society. The main building resembles a castle with four towers at the corners. In 1891 a two-story extension with two new halls was added. The building hasn't changed since that time except that that the tracery wall was demolished. On the walls one can see names of the scientists who explored the remote eastern areas of Russia. In 1910 an observatory was opened in the right tower of the building.