Irkutsk, capital of Siberia, Cossacks, Gulags, Intelligentsia and Wooden Houses

Irkutsk started as a Cossack garrison in 1651 to control the indigenous Buryiats and Mongols. It was a springboard in the 18^th century for expeditions to far North, East, Central Asia and Alaska. Trade sprang up with China in the way of furs and ivory. In return the rich tea and silk trade flourished.

The city was a dumping ground for anarchists and reformists. Starting in 1820 with the Decemberists. A movement against the Tsar to reform the feudal system.

The Decemberists were exiled to gulags in the area to work in silver mines. The wives joined them and settled in Irkutsk to be near their men and wait for their release. The end result! A city with beautiful buildings, hospitals, schools, museums, art galleries and a transport system that works.

The revolution in 1918 did not have a good outcome for Irkutsk as Admiral Kolchak (commander of the White Russian army) made his headquarters in the city. Irkutsk fell and Admiral Kolchak was captured and shot in 1920 and the rich merchants mourned the day.

However the Soviets centred industry and scientific activity in the city having space centres and atomic testing facilities to the South. Today the city is a vibrant fun place to be. (Once you get used to the glum looks on the people.)

Note the City has erected statues of Admiral Kolchak and Tsar Nicholas 11( sort of up yours stuff.)

(Source Lonely Planet publication)www.wikipedia.com

We had some three days here enjoying the city and the art galleries and the natural history museums.

From here our journey will take us on the Trans-Siberian to Moscow. We expect the

journey to take 3 days and 15 hours.

Travelling on the Great Train Journey.Irkustsk Siberia Russia

Image 1 & 2 wooden houses in Siberia
Iamgae 3 Natural History Museum
Image 4 Irkutsk Rail staion
Image 5 the padlocks are allover this fence and they are all engraved it is by the river and is a lovers bower enlarge the pictures by double clik.