In Irkutsk, they continue building the ice town Jordan for Epiphany bathing. It is now 40 percent complete, and up to 25 cubic meters of ice have already been prepared. The complex on more than half a hectare is being designed as a three altar temple with bathing pools, a chapel, an iconostasis, ice arches and angel sculptures. Special attention is being paid to safety. The town is being made as a labyrinth with several entrances and exits, and the depth of the pools and the access design are calculated so bathing and water collection are as safe as possible. Volunteers are still needed for construction, and access to the reservoir area has been restricted, leaving entry only for emergency services.

As of today, the readiness of the “Jordan” ice town, where the traditional Epiphany bathing takes place, stands at 40%. Up to 25 cubic meters of ice are required to create it, and this ice has already been prepared. The structure is traditionally made in the form of a three-altar church. In the central altar there are 2 narrow bathing pools for drawing water, a chapel, and an iconostasis. In the two side altars there are 2 bathing pools each, ice arches, and ice sculptures of angels.
The ice complex on an area of more than 0.5 hectares began to be built on January 3 by ten ice sculptors, assisted by volunteers and parishioners of the Church of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky. The need for volunteers is up to 20 people per day. Those wishing to take part in the construction are expected near the Church of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (warm footwear is required).
To ensure people’s safety, the ice town is being built in the form of a labyrinth with 4 entrances and 6 exits, so that visitors pass through sequentially without bumping into one another. The ice on which the Jordan is being built must be between 70 centimeters thick, and the surface is covered with sand. The depth of the largest bathing pool is 160 centimeters; the entrances to the ice holes are equipped with steps and handrails. The water-drawing pools, 40 centimeters deep and 50 centimeters wide, are designed so that drawing water is as safe as possible. Everyone responsible for the ice town undergoes mandatory training on how to work with large numbers of people.
Access to the territory of the Irkutsk reservoir is restricted by snow embankments. During the New Year holidays, four existing entrances and several forest paths that could be used to drive into the territory of the Yakobi Bay in off-road vehicles were filled in with snow. Only one entrance remained open for fire crews and ambulances—from the side of Bezbokov Street, where the barrier is located.
Based on materials from the press service of the Irkutsk administration.