Slyudyanka, Railroad junction town at Lake Baikal, Russia.
Slyudyanka is a railroad junction town situated at the southern tip of Lake Baikal, stretching along the shoreline with mountains forming the backdrop. The layout follows the water's edge, with residential neighborhoods and commercial areas organized around the railway line that runs through the center.
The settlement was founded in 1899 near mica deposits and became a transportation hub when the Trans-Siberian Railway was built through the area. The railway connected the town permanently to Irkutsk and established it as a major stopping point along the route.
The town maintains its connection to mining through local collections that showcase minerals and tools, reflecting how the region's past shapes what visitors see today.
Visitors can reach the town by taking trains from Irkutsk, with the journey lasting about two hours through Siberian landscape. The best time to explore is outside the winter months, when roads and walking paths are more accessible.
The railway station building is the only structure of its kind on the Russian railway network, constructed entirely from white marble blocks. This unusual choice in construction makes the station a notable stop for anyone traveling on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
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