Irkutsk, a major Siberian city with a population of 600,000+, lies on both banks of the Angara River, a tributary of the mighty Yenisei, the 5th longest river in the world, the only outflow from Lake Baikal, and the largest river system flowing into the Arctic Ocean. Just 45 km from the outlet of Lake Baikal, Irkutsk is where one sets out for Lake Baikal expeditions.
Located on the Siberian taiga (biome of coniferous trees, typical of Eastern Siberia), Irkutsk is the site of the Decembrists, exiled nobility, and the buildings here also reflect wooden structures with ornate exterior carvings.
The Decembrists made great contributions to the study of history, geography, ethnography of Siberia and most famous were the noble Trubetskoys, whose home has been preserved as a museum and we were fortunate to have enjoyed live operatic songs and piano accompaniment just the way Yekaterina Trubetskaya would have entertained her guests in the mid 1800's- with candlelight and champagne.
The colorful Central Market has great caviar, many varieties of vodka and stands selling fresh meat and cheeses, and the special fish omul, a white flesh fish that has as much Russian tradition as bread. Outside one could get chebureki, fried dough pies filled with mushrooms, onions, and meat. Derived from the Kazakhstan dish "chiburekki."
There are also a few images from the Taltsy Museum of Wooden Architecture, depicting life in Old Siberia with wooden structures brought in from various areas of Siberia.