Guide to Irkutsk’s Top Museums

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 […]

Exhibit of Anatoly Kostovsky at the Irkutsk Regional Art Museum

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 […]

Dorenberg Art-Factory Special Exhibit: “Primeval Russia”

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 […]

City Dump Museum in Irkutsk

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 […]

The V.P. Sukachev Mansion in Irkutsk

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

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 near Irkutsk

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 Natural History Museum

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 in Irkutsk

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 […]

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