Roman Catholic Cathedral of Irkutsk
The Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, also known as the Polish Roman Catholic Church, is one of Irkutsk’s most distinctive historic buildings. Rebuilt in stone in 1884 after a fire, it now houses a working organ hall that still hosts concerts today.
See it in person on our Irkutsk city tour— 3 hours covering the city’s must-see churches, cathedrals, historic core, and the Angara embankment.
History
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption traces back to Irkutsk’s Polish community, who began building it in 1819. Construction finished in 1825, but the church was lost to fire in 1879. What stands today is the 1884 rebuild on the same site.
The Organ Hall
Since 1978, the cathedral has also been home to a working organ hall, where concerts are still held today — a rare cultural feature among Irkutsk’s historic churches.
How to Get to the Roman Catholic Cathedral
Head to “Ploshad Spiranskogo” (Площадь Спиранского) or “Skver Kirova” (Сквер Кирова), then walk across the square.
• City buses: 116, 64, 16
• Shuttle bus: 16
• Tram: 1
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Irkutsk also called the Polish Church?
It was built by Irkutsk’s Polish community starting in 1819, giving it the name “Polish Roman Catholic Church.” - Does the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Irkutsk have an organ?
Yes, the cathedral has hosted a working organ hall since 1978, and concerts are still held there today. - How do I get to the Roman Catholic Cathedral from the city centre?
Take city buses 116, 64, or 16, shuttle bus 16, or tram 1 to “Skver Kirova” or “Ploshad Spiranskogo,” then walk across the square.
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