About a rich historical period, locals and guests of the city today still recall the preserved sights. On the streets you can see beautiful mansions made of red bricks, which once belonged to large industrialists, tsarist officials and merchants. Old Irkutsk, which was mostly wooden, very often suffered from fires. In 1879, the fire destroyed the entire center of the city and many valuable buildings. Almost all libraries, archives, and also museums with the richest archaeological collections burned down.
The whole city had to be built anew, but the restoration work went pretty quickly. Modern Irkutsk is not only a major industrial center, but also one of the most beautiful cities of Eastern Siberia. It is interesting from a tourist’s point of view. Many old houses were preserved and there are interesting museums.
Of all Siberian cities, only Irkutsk and Yeniseysk received historical status. In total there are about 685 historical and cultural monuments in Irkutsk, and more than 100 of them are federal. The most ancient part of the city is of the greatest interest for fans of walks in historical places. For three hundred years the city has experienced many important events. Its modern cultural appearance is worthy of admiration. Fans of outdoor activities will like Irkutsk; the city has excellent conditions for a variety of leisure activities. Guests of Irkutsk should appreciate the diversity of local flora and fauna; the nature of these places is incredibly beautiful and unique.
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