Irkutsk (Russia) - Wink Travel Guide

Irkutsk is the capital of the Russian province of Irkutsk Oblast in Eastern Siberia.

Many of their wooden houses, adorned with ornate, hand-carved decorations, survive today in stark contrast with the surrounding Soviet apartment blocks. Around 1900, the city was nicknamed the "Paris of Siberia" due to its wide streets and ornate, continental architecture but travellers today will find little resemblance with Paris.

Today, Irkutsk is the 6th largest city in Siberia, with a growing population of more than 590,000 people. It's home to several universities and a major branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, due to its proximity to Lake Baikal.

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