The Holy Cross Church, perched on Krestovaya Mountain in Irkutsk, is the only church in Siberia to preserve interiors dating back to the 17th century. Its stone structure, completed in 1760, is a landmark example of Siberian Baroque architecture.
Add it to your itinerary with our Irkutsk city tour — a 3-hour route through the city’s churches, cathedrals, historic centre, and riverside promenade.
The first version of the church — a two-story wooden building — went up in 1719 and was blessed by Metropolitan Filofei (Leshinsky). Construction of the stone church seen today started in May 1747 and wrapped up by the end of 1760.
What sets this church apart is its facade: dense, ornate carving that reflects the imprint of local folk traditions layered onto classic geometric design. It’s also something of a rarity — the only church in Siberia to preserve interiors dating back to the 17th century.
• Hours: Daily, 9:00–19:00
• Address: 1, Sedova st. (ул. Седова, 1)
• GPS: 52.276315, 104.288655
Check out the full list of the most interesting tours in Russian cities.
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