One of the most impressive wooden landmarks in Russia is the house of the Shastin merchants in Irkutsk, built in the mid-19th century with funds from this renowned family. The house, designed in the style of Russian Baroque, immediately won the affection of the locals due to its unique carved window frames and other decorative elements. It resembles an intricately decorated box, richly adorned with carved patterns.

The Shastin house belongs to an era when wooden architecture was commonplace, but it was luckier than many other buildings of that time, as it has been preserved. During the pre-revolutionary period, the mansion always remained in the ownership of the Shastin family and became increasingly beautiful. The owners meticulously decorated it, but the greatest contribution to its current appearance was made by Polos Ivanovich Shastin, who became the owner in 1907. He invited the best craftsmen to complete the work on the house.

Fortunately, the Shastin house survived the years of the revolution and the subsequent decades when merchant estates often faced neglect. Notably, it was French specialists who insisted on including the estate in the list of state-protected objects. Thanks to their initiative, the house is now legally protected from demolition, and it houses the cultural center 'House of Europe.' Damaged parts of the estate have been skillfully restored, and it has become a model museum-reserve.