In the hero-city of Smolensk, in its central part, there is an old city park of amazing beauty with an unusual name - the Blonye garden. There is another name for the park: the garden named after M. I. Glinka. In honor of this composer, a native of the Smolensk region (a fact that the residents are rightfully proud of), the first city monument was erected in front of the Philharmonic.
Blonye Garden (Smolensk) is one of the most visited places in the city. It is loved by both locals and guests. Walking in the center of Smolensk, no one will pass by the Blonye garden.
Origin of the name
The pronunciation of the word "blonje" clearly has a French connotation. Nevertheless, it is primordially Russian.
Blonie Garden is one of the legendary historical places of Smolensk, whose official opening dates back to the first half of the 19th century. In those days, this place was the parade square.
The history of the name of this part of the city is pretty well studied by experts. Scientists have found thatthe word "blonie" is of Russian origin and denotes an open space, suburb, outskirts of the city. Dahl's "Explanatory Dictionary" gives him such an interpretation.
In the old days, the area where the Blonje garden is now was just an open space in front of the city walls. During the defense of Smolensk, it was used for firing from fortified ramparts. In peacetime, the inhabitants here grazed cattle.
It is known that in the Smolensk region there are 20 villages and villages with names that reflect the word "blonie" itself or its derivatives. The former Dukhovshchinsky uyezd alone has nine villages called Abolone. There is such a village in the former Porech district. In the Sychevsky district, they point to the village of Zabolonye. The name Obolensk is also known, mentioned among the ancient Smolensk cities.
Blonye Garden (Smolensk): history
The area of Blonje was within the city limits in the 16th century. The garden, now famous throughout Russia, entered the history of Smolensk in 1885. At that time, the solemn opening of the monument to the composer M. I. Glinka took place here, which became one of the first monuments erected in the Russian Empire.
At the end of the Great Patriotic War, a bronze sculpture of a deer and two lions was installed in Blonje, which were taken as trophies, according to historians, from the dacha of Goering himself.
In the 20th century, at the end of the seventies, the composition of the Glinka monument was improved: loudspeakers were placed nearby, through which it became possible to systematically broadcast fragments from workscomposer.
In 2009, the Blonje garden changed its appearance once again: forged openwork lattices were installed in the corners of the park, which somewhat changed it. In 2012, the city's first light and music fountain was launched in the center of the garden.
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The official year of the park is 1830. It was at this time that a flat area near the walls of the Smolensk fortress, which was used as a springboard for the drill of soldiers, was converted into a garden by decree of Emperor Nicholas I. The construction was supervised by the then governor of the Smolensk region Nikolai Ivanovich Khmelnitsky. A high-ranking official took an active part in planting trees, in addition, he attracted subordinates to this action.
In 1830, the Parade Square was moved to the Royal Bastion. Now this place is the stadium "Spartak".
The governor and officials planted trees with their own hands. Since then, it has become fashionable among local ladies to plant flower beds in their own gardens.
The garden was opened in 1885, simultaneously with the installation of a monument to the great countryman of Smolensk - the composer Glinka. Money from the townspeople was collected for him for 15 years.
Nikolai Khmelnitsky is still remembered as a mayor who was not indifferent to the aspirations of the inhabitants. His merits are:
- opening of the first provincial library;
- organization of manufactory and handicraft exhibitions;
- construction of new and renovation of old stone and wooden houses;
- paving with stone and rubble of the streets, reconstructionbridges.
But the loan received from the king, in the amount of 1 million rubles, did not give rest to spiteful critics and envious people. Slanders and denunciations rushed to the governor, unlike others, which in the end did their job. By the will of the sovereign, the Smolensk governor was sent to the casemates of the Peter and Paul Fortress.
And yet, history knows that it is thanks to Nikolai Khmelnitsky that the townspeople and guests of the city have a happy opportunity, relaxing, slowly walking along the beautiful alleys, with orderly rows of lanterns installed on the sides, sitting on cozy benches and thinking about something - anything good.
Our today
Blonye Garden (Smolensk), the photos in the article represent its most interesting corners, has long been distinguished by a special aristocratic charm. Small information boards at the entrances contain warnings about the rules of courtesy: it is forbidden to swear, smoke and violate generally accepted norms of behavior in the park.
There is a musical fountain in the center of the garden, with walking paths radiating from it in different directions.
This amazing city park today is a favorite vacation spot for citizens and tourists. While walking around Smolensk, citizens are sure to visit a local celebrity.
More and more visitors are attracted here by interesting design, cleanliness, a sufficient number of installed benches and the extraordinary beauty of the alley. With the installation of the first light and music fountain in Smolensk in the park, the flow of those wishing to spend their free time here has increased even more. ATon hot days, vacationers gather at the fountain, this place is chosen for dates by lovers.
The garden is home to the famous cafe "Russian Court", the exterior design of which, as well as the interior, is designed in Russian folk style with a rural bias. A colorful cow with a cart planted with flowers is installed near the establishment.
She is surrounded by yellow-red cups and a teapot, also heavily planted with flowers. At the entrance to the cafe, guests are greeted by a large nesting doll. The cafe is widely known for great service and simple, inexpensive meals.
Among the many parks and squares of the city, the Blonje garden stands out for its interesting historical location, beauty and comfort. For public events, it has a concert stage, where a live orchestra plays on weekends.
There are beautiful figured gates at the entrance to the garden. On weekends they are sometimes decorated with ribbons and balloons.
Generally recognized by both guests and residents of the city: truly, the Blonje garden is a landmark. Smolensk has the right to be proud of it.
Park statues
The Blonje Garden is famous for its statues. There is a monument to M. I. Glinka, as well as sculptures of deer and lions.
Monument to Mikhail Glinka
Speakers installed next to the monument to the composer periodically bring his musical works to the ears of vacationers. The twisted fence around the monument is made in the form of a musical score.
The monument to Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka is the first in Russia. It was installed in the park opposite the buildingNobility Assembly. Now the Philharmonic is located here.
Smolensk was not chosen by chance for this - the birthplace of the great composer is the village of Novospasskoye (Yelninsky district). The famous sculptor A. R. von Bock became the author of the monument. For the creation of the monument, voluntary donations were collected for 15 years. In May 1885, the monument was opened in the presence of many famous cultural figures and with a huge gathering of people.
The composer is depicted with his back to the music stand. The symbolism of such a pose lies in the fact that Glinka was not only an orchestra conductor, but above all a composer. An interesting and surprising detail is that the coat on the figure of the musician is made for some reason in a feminine manner: the buttons on it are on the left, and it is wrapped on the right side.
The cast-iron fence around the monument (in the form of a stave) was cast according to the design of Academician I. S. Bogomolov. On it, cast-iron musical notes of excerpts from the composer's works have frozen forever: the operas "Prince Kholmsky", "Ruslan and Lyudmila", "Ivan Susanin", etc. Every hour, world-famous works sound from the speakers.
Deer Statue
After the Great Victory, three more statues were installed in the garden - the famous bronze deer and two lions.
Smolensk people consider deer a kind of symbol of good luck: if you make a wish and rub the monument, the wish will come true. There are always too many people who want to check the legend, so the monument had to be repeatedlyrestore. The statue of a deer is more than a hundred years old and was erected in honor of the hunting trophies of King Wilhelm II of Prussia near the chapel.
The origins of the history of the creation of this sculptural work go back to 1909. Kaiser Wilhelm II in the vicinity of his possessions in the Rominten Forest shot down a deer with unusual branched horns. The animal shocked the ruler so much that he ordered to immortalize it in bronze. In 1910, the sculpture, created one and a half times larger than the original, was installed at the chapel of St. Hubert.
From there, the sculpture suddenly disappeared. Soon she was discovered at the dacha of one of the leaders of the Third Reich, Hermann Goering. From here, the work was taken out by the troops of the Red Army. Next to the deer in the Smolensk park there is a sign indicating the date of its creation and the name of the sculpture - Richard Friese. On the side of the monument there is an inscription that says that it is a gift to the children of Smolensk from East Prussia from the guardsmen of the N Corps.
Lions
Not far from the deer statue are two small sculptures of lions. People like to gather near them, musicians often play.
Reviews of travelers contain information that surprises and amuses many people with this dissonance: small figures of lions, similar to "overgrown cats", and a majestic, huge figure of a deer.
Cafe "Russian Court"
Another attraction of the park is the cafe "Russian Yard",which is considered our answer to McDonald's.
The interior of the cafe is made in the Russian style. In the opinion of some visitors, it is somewhat bright, but very nice. Visitors are accepted here both on the first and on the second floor. Outside there are summer tables under umbrellas. Service here is organized according to the bistro system, like McDonald's. The cost of meals is very affordable. In the cafe, you can order all kinds of Russian cuisine items: from hot dishes (soups and main courses) to salads, pies, pancakes and ice cream.
Reviews
Tourists who visited the Blonye garden (Smolensk), leave reviews of the cafe most actively. They call it a wonderful place, which presents a truly "upper class fast food". Guests praise the neo-Russian design of the establishment, service and technical equipment.
The choice of dishes and prices here, according to reviews, will pleasantly surprise everyone. Grateful visitors write about everything here: salads, okroshka, stewed vegetables, chicken chops, homemade sausages, pies with cherries, tiramisu in a glass, kvass, mead, fruit drinks, pancakes. For fast food, this is simply an "indecent" extensive assortment, guests write, and the dishes here are cooked very tasty.
By the way, in the reviews of the cafe located in the Blonje garden, visitors kindly provided some historical information. It turns out that the concept of "fast food", i.e. "fast food" - is also of Russian origin!
After the victory in the Patriotic War, when the Russian army enteredParis left by Napoleon, hungry warriors, running into a cafe, urged the waiters with the words: "Quickly, quickly!". This is how cafe-bistros appeared in the French capital, which became the first fast food establishments.
Blonye Garden (Smolensk): address
All the townspeople know about him. It is difficult to make a mistake with the address: Smolensk, pl. Lenin, city garden Blonie, in the center near the fountains. Do not worry that the landmark is somewhat vague. The beloved park of Smolensk itself is a small green square in the city center, and in the heart of the garden is the desired cafe.
For the convenience of guests: how to get there?
You should go by bus to the stop. "October Revolution" (No. 53, 8, 38). Then you should walk about a block (along the October Revolution Street).
By taxi:
- To the stop. "Glinka", No. 21.
- To the stop. "Hotel", No. 42.
- To the stop. "October Revolution", No. 44, 13, 40.
