Irkutsk, far from Moscow at the other end of the vast Russian empire, was once a major exile destination for dissident aristocrats and intellectuals. Because of this, it grew into a center of culture and learning to all of Siberia and also became a focal point for early transport and communication infrastructure efforts that sought […]

Starting in January 2018, the Irkutsk Regional Art Museum held an exhibition titled, “Родная Земля,” (translated as “Homeland,”) celebrating the works of Anatoly Kostovsky. A native Irkutsk painter, Kostovsky graduated from the Irkutsk Art College in 1956 and built his career in realism around the diversity of the Irkutsk region, featuring local people, culture, and […]

Recently, Irkutsk’s Dorenberg Art Factory hosted an environmentally focused photo exhibition, showcasing over 100 photographs taken throughout Russia by the country’s most renowned nature photographers.  The exhibit was a part of Primeval Russia (Первозданная Россия), a national nature festival, which is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year. The festival is promoted as a platform for experts […]

Irkutsk City Dump Museum Fifth kilometer of Aleksandrovskiy Highway Free The Irkutsk city dump museum is one of the strangest places I have ever been in my life—not just for the fact that it exists, which is weird enough in and of itself, but for what’s in it. The dump/museum is probably about a 20-minute […]

V. P. Sukachev Mansion / Усадьба В. П. Сукачёва Ул. Декабрских Событий 112 Hours: Tues.-Sun. 10:00 – 17:30 Entrance: 100 rubles, free for students with Russian student ID. Phone: 8(3952)53-12-24, Website: www.sukachoff.ru The house-museum is a peculiarly Russian institution; in most Russian cities one can find small, underfunded museums preserving the apartments and possessions even […]

The City History Museum of Irkutsk / Музей истории города Иркутска ул. Франк-Каменецкого, 16а Open 10 am to 6 pm Entrance: 50 rubles general admission, 25 rubles for students with ID The City History Museum of Irkutsk is a relatively lesser-known museum located not far from the Volkonsky Decembrists Museum and the bus station. The museum […]

The Angarsk Clock Museum / Музей часов города Ангарска ул. Карла Маркса 31 (г. Ангарск, остановка “Музей часов”) Entrance: Adults, 50 rubles. Students with ID, free. Photography permit, 50 rubles. Transportation: 15-70 rubles (bus for 70 rubles, elektrichka 20-50 rubles, depending on student status) The Clock Museum in Angarsk makes for a great day trip outside […]

Irkutsk Local History Museum: Natural History Branch Иркутский областной краеведческий музей: Отдел природы ул. Карла Маркса, 11 Hours: 10am to 6pm, closed Mondays Cost: 200 rub for adults, free for university students. Special exhibits: 150 rubles. 300 rubles for a photography permit (butterfly photography free) If you’re interested in wildlife and the natural world, the […]

Decembrists Museum: Volkonsky Mansion / Музей декабристов: Дом-музей Волконских пер. Волконского, 10   Open from 10 am to 6 pm, closed Mondays General admission: 200 Rubles, but many different discounts for elderly, students, and entry for college students is free Located on a small street off of Timuryaeva, not far from the bus station, the Volkonsky Mansion […]