The Epiphany Cathedral is one of Irkutsk’s oldest surviving churches, built in stone in 1729 after an earlier wooden cathedral burned down. Located in the historic centre near the Angara River, it’s known for its ornate tilework, Siberian Baroque style, and federal landmark status.
See it in person on our Irkutsk city tour — a 3-hour route covering the city’s churches, cathedrals, historic centre, and river embankment.
Built in 1693 right in the heart of the city next to the Church of Our Saviour, the Epiphany Cathedral has a story of resilience. After the original structure burned down in a citywide fire in 1716, locals began work on a stone replacement in 1718 a project that took over a decade, finishing in 1729. Today the cathedral holds federal landmark status, a recognition it received in 1960.
What makes this cathedral unforgettable is its striking silhouette: a tall bell tower crowning an intricate composition that blends Old Russian style, Baroque flourishes, and motifs from Indigenous Siberian culture. Over 300 decorative tiles cover the interior alone. Come evening, the illumination transforms the building — seen from the river, it resembles an old Russian tower, though locals affectionately compare it to a gingerbread house.
Address
1, Sukhe-Batora str. (ул. Сухэ-Батора, 1)
How to Get to the Epiphany Cathedral
Get off at “Ploshad Spiranskogo” (Площадь Спиранского) or “Skver Kirova” (Сквер Кирова), then walk toward the embankment.
Check out the full list of the most interesting tours in Russian cities.
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