Founded in 1661 as a fortress outpost, Irkutsk is officially recognized as one of Russia's historic settlements. Widely known as the "Gateway to Baikal," it offers the quickest route to the legendary lake. Most of the city's key landmarks are concentrated in the Pravoberezhny District. Along the Nizhnyaya Embankment, you will find the reconstructed Moscow Triumphal Arch and the monument to city founder Yakov Pokhabov. Architecture lovers should not miss the Shastin Merchant House, known as the "Lace House," as well as the House of Europe complex, which houses the Museum of Urban Life and the Tea Museum.
Sacred architecture is highlighted by the Church of the Savior, the oldest stone building in Eastern Siberia, and the Russian-Byzantine Kazan Church. The Holy Cross Church retains its original 18th-century interiors, while the necropolis at the Znamensky Monastery is the resting place of Princess Ekaterina Trubetskaya, writer Valentin Rasputin, and explorer Grigory Shelikhov. The revitalized 130th Kvartal, showcasing restored 19th-century architecture, is another must-see highlight.
Art and culture enthusiasts can explore the V. P. Sukachev Irkutsk Regional Art Museum, the Viktor Bronstein Gallery displaying works by Dashi Namdakov, and the Decembrist Museum housed in the Trubetskoy and Volkonsky estates. To discover all the key sights on foot, follow the 6-kilometer "Green Line" walking route.