Smolensk is an ancient Russian city, the first mention of which in the Tale of Bygone Years dates back to 862. Then it was listed as the principality of the Krivichi. Since 1513, the city became part of the Moscow principality. To date, Smolensk has been endowed with the status of a hero city, and has also been awarded the Order of the Patriotic War and the Order of Lenin. Today we will get acquainted with the sights of Smolensk.
Blonje Garden
One of the historical sights of Smolensk is the Blonie Garden. It was founded on the site of the old parade square. The official opening of the garden took place in the first half of the 19th century. The park gained fame in 1885, when a monument to the famous Russian composer M. I. Glinka was erected on its territory. After the end of the Second World War, a statue of a deer, brought from Germany as a trophy, also appeared in the garden. In the late 1970s, loudspeakers were installed near the Glinka monument, from which his compositions play.
New storyThe park, according to many local residents, is rather sad - due to the forged gratings installed in 2009, the historical appearance of the attraction has changed. In addition, in 2011-2012 there was a massive felling of trees aged from 100 to 170 years. However, many of them were in excellent condition. Nevertheless, this garden is still remembered, talking about interesting places in Smolensk.
WWII Museum
The Museum of the Great Patriotic War in Smolensk is one of the most visited museums. It is interesting for both the older generation and the youth. It presents authentic photographs and documents of the first months of the Second World War, the period of the occupation of Smolensk, the partisan movement and the underground, the liberation of the city, as well as the participation of local residents in the liberation of the states of Eastern Europe.
Here you can see unique samples of weapons of those times, orders, personal belongings of soldiers fighting for Smolensk, Yelnya and Vyazma, clothes and awards of the French pilots of the Normandie-Niemen regiment, battle flags, trophies and much more.
Monument to Fyodor Kony
Russian architect Fyodor Savelyevich Kon was the creator of one of the main attractions of Smolensk - the fortress wall. A monument in his honor was built in 1991 near the Thunder Tower, the first of the restored wall towers. The architect A. K. Anipko and the sculptor O. N. Komov worked on the creation of this monument.
Fyodor Savelyevich became famous not only due to the construction of the Smolensk fortifications, which took place from 1596 to1602. It was he who designed the stone walls and tower of the Moscow "White City", built in 1585-1593 and demolished in the 18th century. And these are just the most outstanding works of the architect.
Church of Michael the Archangel
The stone tower-shaped Church of Michael the Archangel was built in the distant 12th century. Until the first half of the twentieth century, it contained the tomb of Prince David, who founded the temple. There was a time when a monastery operated at the church.
In 1611, the Orthodox parish was replaced by a Catholic one. At the beginning of the 18th century, everything returned to its place. The last major restoration of the temple took place in 1963. The restorers have replaced some of the 19th century details with the architectural forms of the period when the church was built in its original form.
Fortification wall
The Smolensk fortress wall, which is also called the Kremlin or fortress, is a defensive structure built during the reign of Fyodor Ioannovich and Boris Godunov. Today it is a valuable architectural monument of the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries and an outstanding landmark of the city. The length of the wall is 6.5 kilometers.
Smolensk fortress wall was more powerful and higher than similar buildings in other cities. She had three tiers of battle, while two tiers were considered the standard. In addition, she had a large number of towers, each of which was different from the others. Unfortunately, only 18 of the 38 towers have survived to this day, the rest were destroyed during attacks on the city.
Cathedralmountain
One of the main sights of Smolensk is Cathedral Hill, which largely defines the skyline of the city. It is noteworthy that it is not the highest part of Smolensk, but only the side top of the hill on which the Old Town is located. However, the Cathedral of the Assumption, built on this hill, as well as the buildings adjacent to it, are visible from almost every corner of the city.
There is a staircase built in 1767 leading to the entrance to the Assumption Cathedral. The architectural ensemble of the church includes bell towers, the Cathedral of the Epiphany designed in the same style, and fences. Next to this complex is the Bishop's Palace and the Church of John the Baptist.
Cathedral Hill offers an excellent view of the entire center and the main attractions of the city.
Exhibition Complex "Smolensk Fortress"
This institution is located in the Pyatnitskaya tower of the fortress wall and is a museum of Russian vodka, which is adjacent to a themed club-restaurant. It was organized by the leading local manufacturer of alcoholic beverages, the Bakhus company. The exposition of the museum has absorbed the main stages of the formation and prosperity of the distillery business in Russia. The most valuable exhibits are bottles of drinks produced at the Machulsky factory.
Forge
Small but interesting museum "Forge", located in the oldest civil building in the city, preserved from the time of Peter the Great. Presumably, the building was erected at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries.
In the years when Smolensk was part of the Commonwe alth,the brick house served as the city archive. Since 1785, it was used as the forge of the Engineering House, which was later destroyed. Nowadays, the tiny building hides behind the houses of one of the city's relatively modern neighborhoods. In 1982, a blacksmith craft museum was opened here. Its exposition includes numerous blacksmith tools from different times. Here you can see an old anvil, furs and all kinds of metal products created by talented blacksmiths in the period from the 18th to the 19th century.
History Museum
When talking about what to see in Smolensk, one cannot fail to mention the historical museum. The history of this institution began in 1888. Then, in the building of the City Duma, a historical and archaeological museum was opened. Over time, the exposition expanded. Until now, it has not become permanent - the institution presents its guests with long-term exhibitions. The building of the Smolensk Historical Museum is also of interest. The three-storey brick building was erected at the end of the 19th century in the classicism style. Initially, it was used as a residential building with shops. During the reconstruction of the building, and its adaptation to the museum, the interiors were changed. Today the building is considered one of the architectural monuments of Smolensk.
Square of Memory of Heroes
Excursions around Smolensk often start from this attraction, as it is located in the very center of the city. Here, near the fortress wall, people who gave their lives defending the Fatherland are buried. gentrificationThe square was begun in 1911, and the first burial in this place appeared on October 18, 1943. The first to be buried was Colonel Vladimir Stolyarov, head of the political department of the 21st Army. In total, 39 people who died during the Second World War are buried in the park. The Square of Memory of Heroes is one of two similar memorials in Russia. The second is in Moscow, on Red Square.
Monument to the Sofia Regiment
On the Royal Bastion, not far from the Spartak stadium, there is a monument to the Sofia Regiment, created by local artist Boris Tsapenko. The opening of the attraction was timed to coincide with the centenary of the defense of the city and took place in August 1912. Rumor has it that a few weeks later, Nicholas II visited the city, but did not approach the monument, showing dissatisfaction with the discipline of the regiment in whose honor it was erected.
The place for the monument was chosen for a reason. It was at the Royal Bastion that the soldiers of the Sofia regiment were buried, who fell defending the city in a terrible battle on August 4-5, 1812.
The monument is a tetrahedral obelisk mounted on a pedestal, on top of which there is a figure of an eagle spreading its wings. The lower part of the pedestal consists of six semi-columns with rectangular niches. Initially, these niches were supposed to contain bronze tablets with inscriptions about the history of the famous regiment. However, during the Second World War they were destroyed and restored only today.
Lakeland
For those who are wondering what to see in Smolensk,Nevertheless, in order not to get tired of the bustle of the city, you should pay attention to this attraction. Smolensk Lakeland is a national park, which was created to study and preserve the unique flora and fauna of the region. Due to its biodiversity and archaeological significance, the park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A significant part of the territory is occupied by water bodies, among which there are 35 glacial lakes surrounded by virgin forests. 65 species of plants grow in the park, many of which are listed in the Red Book. Among the representatives of the animal world, there are: 57 species of mammals, more than 200 species of birds, 10 species of amphibians, and 5 species of reptiles. In addition, more than 70 archaeological sites are located in the park. Some of them date back to the 9th century.
Train station
Today Smolensk is a major railway junction. Direct rail links connect it with both capitals of the Russian Federation, Minsk, Riga, Warsaw, Voronezh, Berlin and many other major cities. Arriving here by train, it is recommended not to rush to get into the city, but to start exploring it from the Smolensk Central station and the station building.
The first railway service through the city was opened in 1868. It connected Orel and Riga. Two years later, traffic was opened in the direction of Smolensk-Moscow, which a year later was extended to Brest.
The first station building was erected at the end of the 19th century. It wasdestroyed in 1941, after a Nazi air raid on the city. In the period from 1949 to 1951, according to the project of S. B. Mezentsev and M. A. Shpotov, a railway station was built, which welcomes guests of the city to this day. It is an excellent example of the Stalinist Empire style and is a majestic beautiful building with a rich set of decorative elements. In 2005 the building was restored. After the reconstruction, it became not only more magnificent, but also more comfortable for passengers.
Ascension Monastery
In 1515, on the initiative of Tsar Vasily III, the Ascension Monastery was founded in Smolensk. In accordance with the architectural traditions of the time, it was built of wood. During the years of the Polish intervention, a Jesuit monastery was located in the monastery. After the liberation of Smolensk, she again became Orthodox.
In 1693-1700 the first stone church was built on the territory of the monastery. The design of the Ascension Cathedral was entrusted to the Moscow architect Osip Startsev. The construction process was led by another, no less eminent architect from the capital - Danila Kalinin. To decorate the cathedral, a rich carved iconostasis was used, made in the Baroque style. In 1787, a small Catherine's Church was added to the cathedral, and in 1830, the Akhtyrka Gate Church was erected.
Today, monastic buildings, in addition to their direct function, play the role of a museum. Various exhibitions are often held here.
Monument to the defenders of Smolensk in 1812
The monument is located on the main alley of the local park of culture and recreation. The second name of this park- Lopatinsky Garden. The grand opening of the monument, created by the famous architect Antonio Adamini, took place in 1841. On the base of the monument there is an image of the Battle of Smolensk and commemorative inscriptions associated with it. On one of the sides there is a list from the icon of the Smolensk Mother of God Hodegetria. It is a copy created in 1818 at the request of the commander of a company of artillerymen who guarded the miraculous image during the Battle of Borodino.
The cast-iron monument weighing 30 tons and 26 meters long was cast in St. Petersburg. In 1873, on both sides of the monument, two French cannons were installed on cast gun carriages, which were accidentally found by diggers while preparing the foundation of the men's gymnasium.
Other historical sights are also located in the Lopatinsky Garden, in particular the remains of the royal bastion, the monument to the St. Sophia regiment mentioned above, a section of the fortress wall also mentioned, the Lithuanian rampart and the monument to General Skalon.
Monument to A. Tvardovsky and V. Terkin
This monument is located in the city center, on Victory Square. The talented local sculptor A. Sergeev captured the front-line poet Tvardovsky and the resilient soldier Terkin he praised in a friendly conversation. The monument, about 5 meters high, was cast in bronze. It was officially opened in 1995. This is the only monument in Russia that depicts the writer along with a fictional character.
Griboyedov Theater
In 1780 inSmolensk was built the first secular theater. Its opening was timed to coincide with the arrival of Catherine II in the company of the Austrian Emperor Joseph II. With the beginning of the Second World War, the institution became the first "Theater of the Western Front". In 1991, P. D. Shumeiko became the chief director of the theater, and the institution itself was renamed the Experimental Drama Theater. Over time, small stages were opened in the building, an orchestra and a ballet group were created. The theater's repertoire was constantly expanding.
In 1999, P. D. Shumeiko died, and I. G. Voitulevich received his post. After his arrival, the theater behind the scenes began to be called intellectual. In 2004, the official name was changed to "Smolensk State Drama Theater named after A. S. Griboedov".
Today, the institution is a regular participant in theater festivals and offers its visitors a diverse repertoire.
Sights of the Smolensk region
Excursions around Smolensk are exciting, but there are several interesting places outside the city:
- "Teremok". This is the name of the historical and architectural complex, which is located in the village of Flenovo (formerly Talashkino). There are two expositions for visitors, with the help of which you can get acquainted with the history of local workshops and educational activities of Maria Tanysheva, the former owner of the village.
- Vyazemsky Museum of Local Lore. In the chapel of the Bogoroditsky Church in the town of Vyazma, the Museum of Local Lore is located. Here areexhibits that illuminate the life of the area from ancient times to the middle of the twentieth century. Today, the museum houses about a thousand exhibits.
- Gnezdovsky burial mounds. They are an archaeological reserve, which is located near the village of Gnezdovo. Today it is one of the main archaeological sites in all of Russia. The complex was opened in 1867 during the construction of the Moscow-Warsaw railway. Researchers agree that the settlement found here was built at the beginning of the tenth century.
