Irkutsk Academic Drama Theatre of N. Okhlopkov 

Theatre building is located at the Marksa street. First two wooden buildings of the museum have burned in fire. It was believed that the new stone building was one of the best buildings of such type in Russia.  

The first season of Irkutsk theatre opened on September 2, 1897 with a performance “The Inspector General” of N. Gogol. Generally, Irkutsk Drama Theatre’ stage is connected with the names of Karamazov, Savina, Komissarzhevskaya, Yablochkina, Yuzhina etc. In 1967 the Theatre was named after famous Russian stage manager N. Ohklopkov who has started his career in Irkutsk. In 1999 the Theatre was declared an Academic Drama Theatre.

Today every evening both of the halls (Main and Chamber halls) are full with spectators. Repertoire has world’s classics and modern drama plays. The troop consists of Russia’s People’s and Distinguished Artists, Distinguished representatives of culture and art spheres, honorary citizens of Irkutsk and Irkutsk region.
Address: Irkutsk city, 14 Marksa street.
Tel: +7 (3952) 200-479

Znamensky Nunnery

Znamencky Nunnery in Irkutsk is the only nunnery in Eastern Siberia. It was founded in 1689 at the cape which is located at the confluence of Angara and Ushakovka rivers. At first all the buildings were made of wood. In the second half of 18^th century a construction of stone buildings has started at the monastery which ended only in the beginning of 19^th century. These buildings we can see now in Irkutsk. It has been built in the “Siberian baroque” traditions. The main church also has a big refectory and eight-square tower bell. Cathedral still has a lot of ancient items and pieces of decoration: baroque carved iconostasis, icons in ancient covers made by Irkutsk craftsmen. There is an icon of “Pantocrator” appareled in wonderful hammered silver cover.
Address: Irkutsk, 14 Angarskaya str.
Tel: +7 (3952) 344-021

Irkutsk Ringed seal house

Baikal nerpa (ringed seal) – is a symbol of Baikal, one of its most beautiful inhabitants. Irkutsk ringed seal house is a unique place, because nerpa lives only in Baikal and it can not be taken to far away from their homeland. The water for their pools is taken from the Baikal Lake.

Nerpa is a very tickle and rarely can be seen in wildlife. In Irkutsk ringed seal house visitor can not only learn more about the character of this amazing mammal, about its behavior, but also see a show of trained nerpas. They know jow to dance, sing, play with a ball and even count.

Irkutsk ringed seal house works all year round.

Address: Irkutsk, 66 2^nd Zheleznodorozhnaya street.
Tel: +7 (3952) 394-872, 391-397
Web: www.baikalnerpa.ru

The Church of the Holy Cross

After the foundation of Irkutsk at the base of Krestovaya mountain, a cross has been put up to mark a place where a new church would be built. In 1717 – 1719 a wooden two-storeyed church was build on the mountain. In 1719 Tobolsk metropolitan Philophei Leschinsky has dedicated the church himself. The church made of stone which has been build instead of the wooden one was sponsored by Irkutsk townsman Amosov. The construction started in 1747 and finished in 1760.

The Holy Cross Church had a big significance in the beginning of Soviet times. It has been declared a monument of architecture of the highest category, but in 1933 the church was closed and anti-religious museum was opened in that building. In 1943 the church opened its doors again. Since 1948 the church is under the government’s protection. In 1960 the church and surrounding buildings (fence with gates, alms-house, 2 residential buildings) were declared as a site of federal significance. From 1986 to 1995 reconstruction of the Holy Cross Church was conducted.

The convenient location of the temple on a hill near the intersection of the city main streets provides the whole perception of the old wooden buildings. Even now the church remains one of the most important centerpieces of the city’s downtown.

Location: Irkutsk, Kommunarov street /Sedova street/ Timiryazeva street.After the foundation of Irkutsk at the base of Krestovaya mountain, a cross has been put up to mark a place where a new church would be built. In 1717 – 1719 a wooden two-storeyed church was build on the mountain. In 1719 Tobolsk metropolitan Philophei Leschinsky has dedicated the church himself. The church made of stone which has been build instead of the wooden one was sponsored by Irkutsk townsman Amosov. The construction started in 1747 and finished in 1760.

The Holy Cross Church had a big significance in the beginning of Soviet times. It has been declared a monument of architecture of the highest category, but in 1933 the church was closed and anti-religious museum was opened in that building. In 1943 the church opened its doors again. Since 1948 the church is under the government’s protection. In 1960 the church and surrounding buildings (fence with gates, alms-house, 2 residential buildings) were declared as a site of federal significance. From 1986 to 1995 reconstruction of the Holy Cross Church was conducted.

The convenient location of the temple on a hill near the intersection of the city main streets provides the whole perception of the old wooden buildings. Even now the church remains one of the most important centerpieces of the city’s downtown.

Location: Irkutsk, Kommunarov street /Sedova street/ Timiryazeva street.

Monument to Alexander III

When the construction of the Great Trans-Siberian railway finished it was decided to establish 3 monuments to Alexander III who believed to be a patron of Siberian construction. There are also monuments established in Saint-Petersburg in 1909 and in Vladivostok in 1912. The one in Irkutsk has appeared before all.

In 1902 an All-Russian contest was announced for construction a monument in Irkutsk. The project of R. Bach was acknowledged as the best one and was representing the figure of Alexander III on the granite pedestal.

On 4 granite faces of pedestal there are portraits of historical figures made of bronze. On the western face of the pedestal there is a high relief of N. Muravyev-Amursky who was a Governor-General of Eastern Siberia in 1848 – 1861. On the northernface of the pedestal there is a high relief of Ermak who has started the process of joining Siberia to the Russian territory. On the south face of the pedestal there is a high relief of M. Speransky, the Governor-General of Eastern Siberia (1819 – 1821). On the eastern side there is a two-headed eagle holding a scroll in claws.

At the corners of the pedestal there are coats of arms of Siberia, Irkutskaya and Yeniseyskaya governments and of Yakutsk region. The total height of the monument is 13,45 meters.