Taltsy

Taltsy is an open-air museum of wooden architecture and ethnography in Irkutsk Oblast, Russia. It is situated on the bank of the Angara River near the settlement of Taltsy, along the route between Irkutsk and Lake Baikal. The museum preserves and presents historical buildings from across Siberia, illustrating the region’s multi-ethnic heritage and the interaction between indigenous peoples and Russian settlers.

The collection comprises a variety of wooden structures, including traditional dwellings and farmsteads, a church, windmills, and other outbuildings. Represented groups include Buryats, Evenks, Yakuts, and Russians, with exhibits showing construction techniques, daily life, and crafts. Many buildings are originals relocated to the site and supplemented by reconstructions and period-accurate interiors.

In addition to outdoor displays, Taltsy hosts workshops, demonstrations of carpentry, metalworking, and domestic crafts, and educational programs for visitors and schools. The museum operates year-round and offers guided tours, seasonal events, and temporary exhibitions.

Taltsy serves as a major cultural and historical resource for the Irkutsk region, helping to preserve and interpret Siberia’s architectural heritage and the complex history of settlement and cultural exchange in this part of Russia. It is a popular stop for travelers heading to Lake Baikal and a key part of the region’s museum network.