Smolensk is the western frontier of Russia, which more than once or twice has taken upon itself the first blows of invaders from Europe, who constantly buried themselves on the lands of the Russian state. It is an ancient city with a rich history, which is mentioned in the chronicles of the 9th century. The famous route "from the Varangians to the Greeks" passed through it - an important trade artery connecting Scandinavia, the Baltic States, Russia and Byzantium.
Smolensk has preserved sights of the Early Middle Ages and architectural monuments of the New Age. Military museums are of particular interest, where you can learn about the glorious military past of the city. The main tourist attraction is the powerful Smolensk Fortress - a once impregnable bastion that reliably protected the borders of the state.
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What to see and where to go in Smolensk?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Smolensk Kremlin
The fortress wall, built in the 16th - early 17th centuries and was of great importance for the defense of the western borders of the Russian state. More than once, she stopped the offensive of enemy armies. In 1812, during an attack by Napoleon's troops, most of the fortification was destroyed. 18 towers and about 3.5 km of wall fragments have survived to this day. Today the building is recognized as an architectural monument.
Assumption Cathedral
Smolensk Cathedral, located on Cathedral Hill. It was built at the beginning of the 17th century in memory of the defense of the city from the army of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth on the site of an old church of the 12th century. During the wars of 1812 and 1914-1945, the building was not damaged. Napoleon even ordered to put up guards to guard the cathedral - he was so struck by its beauty. The main shrine of the church is the relics of the patron saint of the city of Mercury of Smolensk.
Deer Sculpture
The statue was created by the sculptor R. Friese in 1910 by order of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Initially, the figure of the beast stood in front of the ruler's hunting estate. In 1944, Soviet soldiers discovered her at the dacha of Hermann Goering. After 1945, the deer was transported to Smolensk and installed in the city garden. Over the years, the bronze statue has been restored three times, as local vandals were not indifferent to it.
"Grateful Russia - to the Heroes of 1812"
One of the most famous monuments in Smolensk, erected in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Patriotic War of 1812. It is made in the form of a rock about 10 meters high, on top of which the eagles protect their nest from the Gaul with a sword. This image symbolizes the inaccessibility of Russia. The sculpture stands in the Heroes' Memorial Park at the very walls of the fortress wall. Nicholas II was present at the opening of this park in 1912.
Art Gallery
Since 2010, the gallery has been housed in the building of the Alexander Real School - an architectural monument of the 19th century. The museum displays collections of Russian and Western European art: paintings by Repin, Aivazovsky, Levitan, Benoit, Falk, Roerich and other masters, as well as samples of sculpture. The gallery constantly hosts temporary exhibitions of contemporary painters.
Historical Museum
The exposition is part of the structure of the Smolensk Museum-Reserve and is the oldest part of it. Here are collections that tell about the history of the Smolensk region from the Stone Age to the New Age. Several halls house thematic exhibitions, where the exhibits are arranged in chronological order. Here you can see ancient tools, medieval armor, weapons, coins, jewelry, household items and much more.
Drama Theater named after A.S. Griboyedov
The stage was founded in 1870, making it one of the first in Russia. Its history began with the arrival of Empress Catherine II, accompanied by Emperor Joseph II. The modern building in the monumental Stalinist Empire style was built in 1939. The performances are held in two halls - a large and a small, designed for 885 and 60 people, respectively. The theater has a modern repertoire and performances for children.
Museum "Smolensk - the shield of Russia"
The museum is located in the Thunder Tower of the Smolensk fortress wall. The main part of the exposition, opened in 1977, is devoted to the combat history of the city; since 2002, a collection has been added here that tells about the construction of defensive structures. On the third tier of the tower there is a thematic exhibition "Soldier of 1812", consisting of equipment and weapons of the Russian and French armies.
Museum "Smolensk flax"
Since ancient times, in the Smolensk region, they have been engaged in the cultivation and processing of flax. In a museum dedicated to this craft, visitors will learn about the traditions of processing linen fabrics, see costumes, home spinning wheels, and tools with which the peasants cultivated this culture. A separate part of the exposition is devoted to household items traditionally present in the Russian hut.
Museum of Sculpture S.T. Konenkova
The sculptor S. T. Konenkov is a native of the Smolensk land. The museum was created on the initiative of the master, who wished to transfer most of his works to his hometown. The collection was housed in a picturesque 19th century mansion in the city center. The exposition consists of 80 works on religious, revolutionary and everyday topics, created by the sculptor in different periods of his work.
City smithy
Museum located in a small town house of the 17th century. The exposition was launched in 1982. She is entirely devoted to the blacksmith craft. Here visitors will see not only the tools of labor, but also the skillful products of the masters of the 17th – 19th centuries: dishes, candlesticks, keys, weapons, and interior items. Some of the exhibits are real masterpieces. The tour is conducted by an employee in a traditional blacksmith costume.
Museum "Smolensk region during the Second World War"
The collection occupies the building that previously housed the City Public School in Memory of 1812, erected 100 years after the events of the Patriotic War. The building was built in the neo-Russian style according to the project of N. Zaputryaev. The exposition consists of archival documents and photographs telling about the history of the occupation, the partisan movement and the liberation of the Smolensk region from the invaders.
Memorial complex "Katyn"
International memorial dedicated to the victims of political repression. It was erected in 2000 on the territory of a military cemetery, where more than 4 thousand Polish officers were buried, who were shot in 1940 by representatives of the NKVD. In total, the remains of more than 6 thousand victims of Stalin's repressions lie in the Katyn Forest, as well as the bodies of 500 Soviet soldiers who died in 1943 from German bullets.
Peter and Paul and Varvara churches
The churches of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara and Peter and Paul are not far from each other. The first was built in the middle of the 18th century at the expense of local merchants, the second is a unique architectural monument of the pre-Mongol era. The Varvara temple was almost not damaged during the war of 1812, but during the Second World War it was partially destroyed. The Peter and Paul Church was restored twice: after the invasion of Napoleon and after the end of the Second World War.
Temple of Michael the Archangel
The building was erected in the XII century by order of Davyd Rostislavich. According to the chronicle, it was part of the complex of structures of the prince's court. In the 18th and 19th centuries, a warm side-altar, a stone bell tower and a school for street children were added to the temple. After the restoration of the 1990s, the church acquired its original appearance of the pre-Mongol era. Today the building is an important architectural monument.
Catholic church
The temple was erected at the end of the 19th century in the Gothic style typical of medieval Western Europe.Its history is connected with the Polish-Lithuanian gentry, to which Aleksey Mikhailovich proposed to take Russian citizenship with the preservation of all privileges. As a result, a Catholic community was formed in Smolensk. In the 18th century, there was a small church on the site of the temple, but it was destroyed in 1812.
Railway station building
The station is located on the Moscow railway line, from here trains depart to near and far abroad. The first station building was erected at the end of the 19th century, but in 1944 it was destroyed by bombing. The modern building appeared in the 1950s; today it can be considered one of the city's landmarks. For many tourists from neighboring countries, the station building is the face of the city and all of Russia.
Dnieper river embankment
The embankment was equipped for the 1150th anniversary of the city in 2013. Despite the fact that the city budget has allocated more than 600 million rubles for the work, it looks rather modest. The promenade consists of three levels, connected to each other by passages. Trees have been planted along the embankment, flower beds are laid out, benches and lanterns are placed, playgrounds are organized for children.
Blonier Garden
One of the recreation parks of Smolensk, founded in 1830. Previously, there was a square in its place. Today it is one of the most pleasant and picturesque places in the city. There is a sculpture of the Deer and a monument to the composer M.I. Glinka. Sometimes the garden is even called by the name of the maestro. Another local attraction is a small light and music fountain.
Lopatinsky garden
Central city park, laid out by order of the governor A.G. Lopatin in 1874. Today its area is 10 hectares. The place where the garden is located has a rich and mysterious history - earlier there was the Royal Bastion built by the Poles, which was used as a prison for a long time. In the 19th century, it was replaced by a restaurant and a summer theater, later a park appeared.
