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The Eastern Siberian city of Irkutsk is one of the oldest and
most attractive Siberian cities. It was founded in 1652 by Russian cossacks and now it
is the capital of Eastern Siberia. It is situated in the south of Siberia, on the Angara
River, near its outlet from Lake Baikal and it is one of the largest Siberian cities,
situated on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Irkutsk was named for the small river Irkut, which flows into Angara river. The word
"Irkut" came from the languages of native Siberian people of Mongolian physical type.
It is translated as speedy, fast flowing river.
The first industrial interprise in Irkutsk was a brick factory. But before it was put
into operation, Irkutsk was a town of log structures. The fire in 1879-th destroyed
nearly 80% of the central part of Irkutsk. However, the town was rebuilt quickly and its
recovery was aided by the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway as far as Irkutsk
in 1898. The city’s ancient center is spread along the right bank of the river. It still
contains many wooden houses. In Irkutsk there are about 685 historical and cultural
monuments, 108 from them have federal Status.
Irkutsk is in many ways the heart of Siberia, with its proximity to Lake Baikal, status
as a major transportation hub on the Trans-Siberian railway, and a plethora of scientific
and research institutes, including a branch of the Siberian Academy of Sciences. As a
local writer once noted, - "To miss seeing Irkutsk is to miss Siberia."
Wooden Irkutsk
Irkutsk is famous for it’s wooden architecture. It has has preserved many of monuments
including ancient log structures. Some of the log structures have presently been
restored. Almost all of the wooden houses are privately owned. Siberian wooden houses of
course differ from the log structures of the European Russia.
The art of constructing wooden houses in this part of
Russia passed through 3 well marked stages:
The 1st stage was the shortest. It was represented by the houses of the first
settlers of the city. Unfortunately, none of this houses remain. Obviously, they were
very simple structures - huts. Siberian huts were huge brown structures. They all had
basements which were used to store provisions. The basement is the most characteristic
feature of Siberian houses.
The 2nd stage came in the middle of the 18th century. During this time the house
was modified. The basement was turned into a kitchen of living space, a front porch and
balcony appeared and the windows were widened.
The 3rd stage began in the first half of the 19th century. Simple structures gave
way to more complicated and interesting construction. These houses had different porches
and attics. The facades were decorated with carvings and thread work. Special emphases
were placed on adorning windows, with rich carvings and scrolls. The windows were similar
to the windows of a palace in a Russian fairy-tale. The ornaments were not only
decorative, but also symbolic. The symbols depicted different hopes, and dreams of the
people of that time. For example - people believed that evil spirits could enter the
dwelling through doors and windows frames. So the decorations used in those parts of the
house were for protection. The sign of the sun could be outlined with jagged star shapes.
It is obvious that this symbolizes life, happiness, and the beginning of all good things.
Also 2 pigeons with a bunch in their beaks are symbolic of a "Universe tree". Long ago,
people believed that in the heavenly paradise there was a fairy tree covering all of
heaven with leaves and fruits of all the trees and plants from all over the world. In
this tree these pigeons lived.
All wooden houses can be divided into 3 large groups:
- 1st - those constructed from specially published pattens during the end
of 18th through the beginning of 19th century.
- 2nd - houses of individual projects made up by the local masters.
- 3rd - the most common type in Irkutsk with a basement, a high porch and a
balcony on the back side of the house.
Usually, five or six windows face the street. The windows are rather big. The house is
richly decorated with serous mostly of the Baroque style which was popular at that time.
Sculpter’s shutters are painted in blue and green. Blue and green are 2 favourite colors
in Siberia. Blue is a symbol of hope and green is for long life and youth. Also, white
is symbolic of purification.
In Siberia, wooden houses are built in pine and cedar. Sometimes the foundation is of
larch because it is firm and when put under water became as strong as iron. The upper
part is constructed of pine timber, because it helps to retain heat inside the house.
Until the end of the last century, the interior of wooden houses were made of clean
logs. |
