History of Smolensk. Interesting facts about Smolensk

The history of Smolensk causes interest not only among residents and visitors of this city. It is marked by many events of national importance. The diamond capital of Russia, the key city, the hero city, spread out on 7 hills ... When they talk about Smolensk, they talk about the history of all Russia, because it was here that the fates and paths of our Fatherland often crossed.

Before we start a story about the history of the city, let us say a few words about where Smolensk is located. It is located to the north-west of Moscow, 378 km from it, in the upper reaches of the Dnieper. On its territory there are about 330 thousand people. On the map the Smolensk region is marked with red.

Curious features of the city of Smolensk

Smolensk is one of the most ancient cities of Russia. He is the same age as Novgorod and Kiev, older than Moscow. The history of Smolensk began in 863, when this city was erected on the way "from the Varangians to the Greeks." It reminds oneself of an ancient temple, a defensive earth rampart, or a fortress tower. These monuments and structures have witnessed the emergence and development of Smolensk, and with it, and all of Russia. It is the Smolensk region that is home to Gagarin, Azimov, Glinka, Przhevalsky, Tvardovsky and other people who are known outside of our state.

The center of Smolensk is very beautiful today. This city was able to combine the spirit of antiquity and the vibrant dynamic atmosphere of our time. He lives today with a rich youth life. There are fashionable nightclubs, many universities and cinemas. In exotic teahouses, cozy coffee houses and noisy bars, in the squares, sun-drenched, in green parks and shady corners, one can feel the rhythm of the city, its pulsation and breathing.

Speaking of Smolensk and Smolensk region, it is impossible not to mention the nature of reserves and parks, the beauty of the mirror surface of lakes and green forests. Nature lovers will be able to breathe the forest air, visit the untouched corners of nature, which can be found in Smolensk Lakes - national park.

Changing over time, this city still managed to preserve the provincial charm, ancient traditions and unique culture. The atmosphere of the identity of Smolensk is given by the eclecticism of youth life, the beating key, and ancient customs.

The emergence of Smolensk, the first pages of history

This city originated in the upper reaches of the Dnieper as the center of the Slavic Krivichi tribe. The history of Smolensk begins with the first mention of it in the Ustiug chronicle, which dates back to 863. In a story about how the squads Askold and Dir went on a campaign against Tsar-grad, it is said that the city of Smolensk at that time was "a city of great and many people." In 882, the prince Oleg took the settlement, which is mentioned in the first Novgorod chronicle. The history of Smolensk is marked by the fact that at the end of the IX century it became part of Kievan Rus, but it was ruled for a long time after that. In the notes of Constantine Porphyrogenitus (Byzantine emperor), dating back to the mid-tenth century, this city is called, along with Kiev, a fortress.

Smolensk in the 11th-12th centuries

After the death of Yaroslav the Wise in 1054, for a while his younger sons reigned in Smolensk: first Vyacheslav, and after him - Igor.

The city of interest to us at the end of the XI century becomes the specific city of Vladimir Monomakh, who received it in addition to Pereyaslavl South, his old "patrimony". The Smolensk Principality achieved political independence under Rostislav Mstislavovich, the grandson of Monomakh. Rostislav in 1134 surrounded the Smolensk fortress fortifications. At that time this city was already very large. It began to be intensive stone construction, which continued with the sons of Rostislav Mstislavovich - Romana, with a short break from 1160 to 1180, and David (from 1180 to 1197). In Smolensk by the end of the XII century there is an independent architectural school.

At favorable points of the relief, along the Dnieper, there were large city and monastery cathedrals, princes and princely churches, as well as episcopal churches. This created a picturesque panorama of Smolensk, which made an indelible impression on the trade people who came from abroad.

Intellectual life of the city

Writing and culture at that time reached a high level. At the temples workshops were created, in which books were rewritten, as well as schools with instruction in the Latin and Greek languages. Such great enlighteners came from the Smolensk land, as Clement Smolyatich, scribe and philosopher, elected Kiev metropolitan in 1147, and the Monk Avraamy of Smolensk, "gifts of shepherding" and "scholarship" of which were noted by his various contemporaries.

The development of crafts and trade, the invasion of Batu

Crafts and trade developed. In 1229, they concluded an agreement with Gotland, Riga and the North German cities. This agreement is known as the Smolensk Trade Truth. After defeating Batu's squad in 1239, the Smolenskites escaped the Tatar-Mongol ruin, although they subsequently had to pay the Golden Horde tribute. Nomads in 1339 tried again to capture this rebellious city, however, after seeing the powerful fortifications on the site where Smolensk is located, retreated.

Smolensk as a part of the Lithuanian principality

Since the 14th century this city has been under pressure from Lithuania. Vytautas, the Lithuanian prince, in 1404 treacherously captured Smolensk after a two-month siege. In 1410 Smolensk, being already a part of the Lithuanian principality, participated in the Battle of Grunwald. The main blow of the Teutons was assumed by three Smolensk regiments, which were in the center of the army of the Slavic peoples. They stood to death, deciding, in fact, the outcome of this battle.

Liberation of Smolensk, the development of the city in the 16th century

Under Prince Vasily III in 1514 Smolensk was released. It became part of the Moscow state. Under Ivan the Terrible in the middle of the 16th century a new oak fortress was erected on it in the earthen rampart. Posad for the Dnieper is considerably expanding, two new settlements are appearing on the left bank - Churilovskaya and Rachevskaya. The foreigner John Cobenzel, who visited the city in 1575, compared his magnitude with Rome. The Polish-Lithuanian detachments, having lost the fortress, strategically important for them, repeatedly made attempts to re-conquer the city. The decision to strengthen the outpost of the western borders of the country was made at the end of the XVI century. In Smolensk in 1596-1602 a powerful fortress wall was erected.

The invasion of the Poles

The city withstands in 1609-1611 a twenty-month siege to which it was subjected by the army of Sigismund III, the Polish king. In one nameless letter that called for fighting the interventionists, it was said that if there were at least several such "fortified cities" in the Russian state, then it would be unfair for enemies to enter the Russian land. The impolite Smolensk fell in June 1611. Only 43 years later, during the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich, he was freed from the Poles and he entered finally into the Russian state.

The Northern War in the history of the city

Smolensk once again found itself on the path of the conquerors during the Northern War. Repeatedly Peter I came here, in case of the invasion of the Swedes fortifying the city. This tsar in October 1708 at the town hall was solemnly greeted by Russian troops who defeated near the village of Lesnoy the Swedish corps under the leadership of General Lewenhaupt to the aid of Charles XII.

New status

The city of interest to us in 1708 receives a new status - the status of the provincial city. The old coat of arms of Smolensk, which depicts a cannon and a bird of paradise, sitting on it, is confirmed in 1780. Below on the silver ribbon today is written the motto: "Glorified by the Fortress." The modern coat of arms of Smolensk is presented below. In Smolensk by the end of the XVIII century there were 11,579 inhabitants.

Historical reunion of two armies near Smolensk

In the history of Smolensk, the heroic page was written in 1812. The 1st and 2nd Russian armies, departing from the western borders after the invasion of Napoleon, united under Smolensk. The French here met with fierce resistance on the part of the Russians: Russian soldiers bravely reflected on the walls and bastions of the enemy's enemy. The joining of armies of Bagration and Barclay de Tolly near Smolensk disrupted Napoleon's plans to destroy them one by one. This largely determined the outcome of the Battle of Borodino (commander-in-chief - Kutuzov).

Smolensk battle: details

French soldiers wanted at all costs on the birthday of their emperor (August 4) to enter this city. And on August 4-5, a battle took place near Smolensk. Hundreds of grenades and cores, thousands of bullets were sprinkled the city. The French almost captured the Molochovsky Gates. However, help arrived in time and, rushing out of the wall, the Russians were expelled from the serf moat of the French. Also in other places the heroes of Smolensk repulsed the attacks. Participation in the battle was taken by many townspeople, taking the wounded to the city and feeding the cores to the soldiers. Without fear of nuclei, women brought buckets of water to tired soldiers. For a long time, the defense of Smolensk continued. The French again and again rushed to storm the city, but always unsuccessfully. Then the Emperor Napoleon ordered to light it with bombs, and the city was flamed with fire.

On the morning of August 6, the French entered, not without fear, into the deserted Smolensk. Napoleon drove into the St. Nicholas Gate. The troops of the emperor in 4 days went to Moscow. However, the Russian armies have already united and retreated together. The Russian troops on the Borodino field, inspired by the presence of the gate icon of the Mother of God in their ranks (it was worn in the camp before the battle), reflected the attacks of the French. Bonaparte understood then the strength of the Russian spirit.

Return of Napoleon

Napoleon fled 2 months after the capture of Smolensk with his hungry army. He entered on foot in Smolensk on October 28 through the Dnipropetrovsk gate without any solemnity, along the icy road. The city was still empty. Hunger and cold here and met the remnants of his army. Napoleon, furious with this, ordered to blow up the walls of the city, fatal for him, and left him in order to run further. 9 Smolensk towers flew to the air. Out of the rest, the Russian hunters, who arrived in time, managed to take out the wicks.

Smolensk in the early XX century

Smolensk at the beginning of the XX century was a provincial wooden city. Only 283 out of 2,698 buildings were stone. In this city, according to the census of 1881, there were 33.9 thousand people. 40 temples and monasteries operated in Smolensk. On the night of October 31, 1917, the pre-revolutionary history of this city was completed. A new page began - Soviet Smolensk. It was then that local Bolsheviks announced the establishment of Soviet power in this city. There was a devastation, and then the restoration of the economy, the monstrous Stalinist repression, the years of fascist occupation.

The Great Patriotic War in the history of the city

Smolensk in June 1941 was on the road to the main attack of the German armies. Strong battles for this city lasted two weeks. Long-term defense of Smolensk led to the fact that the plan for the lightning capture of the capital was thwarted. Here the German troops for the first time during the Second World War were forced to proceed to defense.

In 1943, on September 25, there was a battle near Smolensk, as a result of which this city was liberated. The war brought untold suffering to this land. Military Smolensk suffered heavy losses. Almost to the very bottom, the enemy destroyed the city. Their liberators from 157 thousand inhabitants who lived here in the pre-war time, only 13 thousand people waited.

"The key-city"

Smolensk, having passed through all the harsh tests that have fallen to its lot, has preserved its unique appearance. Fortress walls and ancient temples, modest obelisks and majestic monuments are like landmarks in his destiny, closely connected with the destiny of our country. Smolensk, having survived the fires of fire, invasion of the enemy, destruction, gained the glory of the guard of the borders of the Russian state, became a symbol of Russian patriotism and fortitude. It is not for nothing that the key-city is called.

Historical museums of Smolensk

Today you can get acquainted with the history of the city with its museums. This is the Historical Museum, the Smolensk - Shield of Russia Museum (pictured below), Smolensk Region in the Second World War 1941-1945. Each of them is interesting in its own way. The historical museum will tell you about the past of this city from prehistoric times to the 20th century. "Smolensk - the shield of Russia" is located in the Thunder Tower, which is part of the Smolensk fortress wall.

Having visited this place, you can see with your own eyes the unique interior of the tower, climb up its steep narrow staircases, from inside admire the wooden tent, and learn about the wars that took place here in the 16th-17th centuries and about the construction of the fortress wall.

"Smolensk region in the Second World War" - a museum located in a building that belonged to the City People's College, built in 1912. The construction of this building was timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the victory over Napoleon. May 8, 2015 the museum was opened after reconstruction.

Having visited these museums of Smolensk, you will touch the history of the city, learn many new and interesting things about it.