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The capital city of Smolensk oblast.
Smolensk is the capital and administrative center of Smolensk oblast of Russia. May 6, 1985 Smolensk city received the status of “Hero city”. Smolensk city is standing on Dnepr River, about 420 km west of Moscow. Smolensk city is an important railway and road junction. There is also an airport in Smolensk city.
Smolensk population is about 315,000 (2010) on the land area of 166 sq. km.
The phone code of Smolensk is +7 4812; postal codes - 214000-214xxx.
There are several versions of Smolensk name origin. The first one is that it comes from old Slavic name for black soil. Black soil could color the waters near ancient settlement called Smolnya. Another version is about Russian word “smola” meaning tar. There were a lot of pine trees in Smolensk city area, so the settlement was an important center of resin processing and trade.
Smolensk is one of the oldest Russian cities. First mentioning of Smolensk city was in 863, only two years after ancient Russia was founded. Smolensk was the capital of Slavic tribe Krivichi. That time Smolensk town played an important role because it was situated on the Road from Varangians to Greeks (Russians were sailing from Baltics by the Western Dvina river and pulling boats by the ground to the upper Dnepr river).
In 1054 Smolensk Principality was founded. Smolensk developed quickly because it was located in the central part of Russian lands. Smolensk Principality became one of the strongest in Eastern Europe in the beginning of 13th century. A lot of various churches were built that time in Smolensk city. Later Smolensk lands and city became the key in struggling between Lithuania and Moscow states.
In 1597 Russian Tsar Boris Godunov decided to built heavy fortifications to defend Smolensk city from Lithuania attacks. Huge red stone kremlin (the largest in Russia) was finished in 1602. But in 1611 after siege lasting about 20 months Smolensk city was captured by Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Later, in 1654 Russia returned Smolensk city after another siege.
Napoleon armies had battle with Russian armies near Smolensk city in August 1812. Famous Russian writer Leo Tolstoy described that moment in his book “War and Peace”. Napoleon won the battle and captured Smolensk city. The total casualties from both sides were about 30,000 men dead.
Again Smolensk city was the center of war when Germany forces attacked USSR in 1941 (Battle of Smolensk). The city was totally destroyed (about 90%). After capturing Smolensk city Germans found archives of Smolensk Oblast Communist Party Committee. That archive gave Western people unique info about first two decades of Soviet power.
Smolensk Russia city street
Smolensk Russia city view
Smolensk city Novodevichy convent
Among the main places of interest of Smolensk city are a lot of monasteries, church complexes, statues to: Smolensk defenders of 1812; Kutuzov; Alexander Tvardovsky and Vasily Tyorkin; Burnt flower - monument to the children of fascist concentration camps; Smolensk fortress wall.
The museums of Smolensk:
Among the main industrial plants of Smolensk there are as follows: Smolensk aviation plant; “Crystal” (diamond-facet plant); Smolensk hosiery plant.
Smolensk city railway station
Smolensk city kremlin
Smolensk city Lenin monument
Smolensk city Catholic church
Smolensk Russia city church
Smolensk city ancient church
Smolensk city Troitsky monastery
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