Irkutsk Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Irkutsk

The Orthodox Epiphany Cathedral is located in Irkutsk's historic city center at the intersection of Sukhbaatar and the Lower Angara River embankment. In 1994 the Cathedral of the Epiphany was transferred to the diocese of Irkutsk, which began to hold worship services in the former chapel of Peter and Paul. In 2002 painting of the church's altar was completed.

Savior Church was built in 1706. It is located opposite Epiphany Cathedral and is the oldest building in the city. Savior Church is the only church in the city that has frescoes on its exterior. The church has a large collection of bells, including the unique Hilevskaya Bell. In 1861 the church suffered due to an earthquake, but it has since been restored.

The Church of the Assumption of our Lady is a Polish Catholic Church. It is located close to Epiphany Cathedral and Savior Church. The church was designed in the Gothic style, uncommon in this region. The Irkutsk Catholic parish was once the largest in the world, but new parishes in Chita, Blagoveshchensk, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Usolie-Siberian, Sludianka later eclipsed Irkutsk.

The Gallery of Contemporary Art is part of the EDI VTOO Union of Russian Artists. The gallery holds numerous exhibitions dedicated to promoting the work of creative artists from Irkutsk and increasing the public's interest in contemporary visual arts. The Gallery of Contemporary Art conducts tours of the exhibitions, hosts master classes for painting and drawing and holds seminars and press conferences. Some pieces on display at the gallery are available for purchase.

The Historical Museum of Irkutsk was built in the late 19th century in memory of sister Antonina Kladischevoya. It served for a time as a free school for children of both sexes. In 2007 the building was transformed into a museum specializing in local history. The museum currently has more than 200 different pieces on display.

The Trubetskoy House Museum is part of the historical Decembrists Museum. It was established at the end of 1970. The house was built in the mid-19th century for one of Sergei Trubetskoy‘s daughters. The museum displays the Trubetskoy family's original belongings, as well as some valuable paintings.

The Volkonsky House Museum first opened in 1985 after an extensive restoration. The collection contains many items that belonged to the Volkonsky family and to other Decembrists. The museum is an excellent resource for learning about the Decembrist exile.