Siberia has long been associated with exile. The territory is known historically for its forced labour camps and forced settlement. While many groups of settlers voluntarily relocated to Siberia to escape serfdom and religious persecution, the area was also a main component in the Tsarist penal system.
EXILES more -->
Old Believers
In the 18th century the population of Ulan Ude grew with the influx of the Old Believers. This group refused to conform to church reforms designed to bring Russian Orthodoxy in line with Greek Orthodoxy, a practice they considered heresy. As such, they were exiled or executed. The exiles headed east and north and eventually at least 25,000 came to the Baikal region. They came as families and tight knit groups and as such recreated those same social groupings in their new homes. Their newly formed communities were characterized by their shared religion, culture and distinctive architectural style. Elaborately carved and painted wooden decoration of surfaces and traditional gates mark Old Believers communities. The museum exhibit includes houses of the poor, the wealthy and an elaborate gate (as seen above).
Decembrists
Following the unsuccessful St. Petersburg revolt of Russian revolutionaries against Tsar Nicholas I in December of 1825, fourteen of the Decembrists were exiled to Buryatia. These Decembrists were officers, nobles and members of the Russian intelligentsia. During their exile most actively worked in the societies they moved into. During their exile most actively worked in the societies they moved into. Russian, or rather, Soviet history has made heroes of the Decembrists, in part beacuse of their activities in their new communities but mainly for their ideals. Namely their desire to realize the overthrow of the Tsar. Russian, or rather, Soviet history has made heroes of the Decembrists, in part beacuse of their activities in their new communities but mainly for their ideals. Namely their desire to realize the overthrow of the Tsar. A Decembrist prison or exile shelter, shown here, is present in the museum. Built to house prisoners on their long journey to Siberia, it is typical example of the hundreds of these wooden shelters located along Trans-Siberian track.
