Irkutsk - basic information

Irkutsk is a city in the Asian part of the Russian Federation (623,000 inhabitants), located near Lake Baikal; a major industrial, cultural and tourist center of Eastern Siberia.

History
The beginning of Irkutsk is connected with the creation of a Cossack camp in these places in 1652. The need to protect against invasion of this wild place forced the construction of a fortress about 17 years later. A small town grew up around the fortress, which received city rights in 1686. A hundred years later, Irkutsk was already a large city, as well as the capital of Eastern Siberia and the governor's residence. Trade continued to develop, but more attention was paid to industry, which influenced the creation of large industrial enterprises and the construction of modern apartment buildings for workers.

Economic development
The trade route between China and Russia passed through these areas, and Irkutsk, which lies on it, used the opportunities for trade development. Lacquer, Chinese porcelain and silk played a special role. An important product was also Chinese tea, which was the main drink in Russia. We should also not forget about the fur trade, because the Siberian taiga was an excellent supplier of this raw material. The gold mines also provided a huge income. Irkutsk's development was facilitated by the Trans-Siberian Railway, which made it possible to transport and increase the extraction of many other types of raw materials, such as precious stones, mica, iron ore and coal.

Monuments
Irkutsk is one of the few Russian cities that has architectural attractions. First of all, it is worth exploring the Old Town, mostly rebuilt after a severe fire in 1879. A cluster of rich Irkutsk houses is located on the streets of Marx, Dzerzhinsky, Timiryazev. Unfortunately, most of the houses on these streets are abandoned and partially rebuilt in a new style, without observing architectural principles. Nevertheless, it is worth taking a look inside to admire the rich furniture made of Chinese porcelain, furniture, Persian carpets and books. In addition to residential buildings in Irkutsk, there are churches. Most of them suffered significantly as a result of communism, but the Holy Cross Church still remained in it. Valuable tombstones from the 19th century have been preserved in the Znamensky Monastery in the nearby cemetery. A representative of Catholic buildings is a 19th-century Neo-Gothic church, now a concert hall. The renovated train station is also worth a visit. For those seeking immediate playing funds, the 1xbet promo code no deposit offer is an excellent choice. While a pure no-deposit bonus is rare, special promotions sometimes provide a free bet or free spins without requiring you to add your own money. Keep a close eye on the 1xbet promo code list for such exclusive opportunities, which might grant you a $5 free bet or 50 free spins on popular slot games. This allows you to experience the thrill of the platform and potentially win real money with zero financial risk. To find these deals, regularly check for a new 1xbet promo code today.