Russia

Centre historique d'Irkoutsk

WHS Score 0.31 Votes 5 Average 0.4
The historic center of Irkutsk shows its urban development over a period of 300 years. The architectural styles used vary from Art Nouveau to Constructivism. Its wooden architecture (some 500 buildings) is especially notable. Irkutsk was founded by Russian colonists in 1666 and afterwards became the urban center of Siberia. Representatives of the exiled Russian nobility greatly promoted the cultural development of the city which is reflected in its architecture.
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Full Name
Centre historique d'Irkoutsk (ID: 1166)
Country
Russia
Status
On tentative list 1998 Site history
History of Centre historique d'Irkoutsk
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UNESCO
whc.unesco.org
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UNESCO.org

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First published: 17/10/19.

Els Slots

Centre Historique D'Irkoutsk

Centre historique d'Irkoutsk (On tentative list)

Centre historique d'Irkoutsk by Els Slots

The Historic Center of Irkutsk is an enigmatic entry on Russia’s Tentative List. Its official description is in French and just rambles on about its general history, architectural styles, street plan and renovation projects. There seems to be no focus what the prospective WHS should entail: “a large number of preserved architectural monuments of different periods and styles (Siberian baroque, classicism, art nouveau, "Russian style", local traditions, Gothic, Byzantine, Asian architectural art, constructivism)” suggests a broad approach, while it seems logical that OUV could be found somewhere in its renowned wooden architecture.

Irkutsk, the largest city in Eastern Siberia, was founded in 1661 as a military fortress that imposed taxes on the indigenous population in the form of animal fur. The city also developed as a commercial and administrative center due to its location on various trade routes with Mongolia and China such as the Tea route. Today it is slightly more chaotic than the big cities in western Russia, but I liked it. One really encounters a completely different side of the country. At the cozy Central Market, you’ll find Mongolian, Buryatian and Chinese tradesmen selling nice thick woolen socks, cheese and honey. And of course there are Russian females with buckets full of blue and red berries for sale too.

The city does not have any unforgettable monuments, but it is known for its relatively large number of wooden houses. In 1879 there was a big fire in the city center, after which it was decided …

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First published: 08/02/09.

Jarek Pokrzywnicki

Centre Historique D'Irkoutsk

Centre historique d'Irkoutsk (On tentative list)

Centre historique d'Irkoutsk by Els Slots

I was in Irkoutsk in June 2008. If anyone wants to see the old Siberian Russian wooden architecture, please hurry up, not much is left of what was once a typical XIX century town. Old houses are deminishing all the time and they are constantly replaced by "modern" architecture. There are no plans (at least they are not visible) to halt that process, only a few houses in historic center were carefully restored. All others are just left on their own. Very sad. But nevertheless the old Russian Siberian architecture is fantastic, all wooden ornaments are very interesting. If they only preserve ...

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