The garden of Blonje in Smolensk: photo, reviews, address

In the hero-city of Smolensk, in its central part, there is an amazingly beautiful old city park with an unusual name - the garden of Blonje. There is another name for the park: a garden named after MI Glinka. In honor of this composer, a native of the Smolensk region (a fact that the inhabitants are rightfully proud of), opposite the Philharmonic, the first city monument was erected.

The garden of Blonje (Smolensk) is one of the most visited places in the city. He is loved by both locals and guests. Walking in the center of Smolensk, no one will pass by the garden of Blonje.

origin of name

In the pronunciation of the word "blond" the French shade is clearly heard. Nevertheless, it is primordially Russian.

The garden of Blonje is one of the legendary historical places of Smolensk, whose official opening dates back to the first half of the 19th century. At that time there was a parade ground on this place.

The history of the name of this part of the city is fairly well studied by specialists. Scientists have found that the word "blond" has a Russian origin and denotes open space, a suburb, the outskirts of the city. This interpretation gives him the "Explanatory Dictionary" of Dahl.

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 grazed cattle.

It is known that in the Smolensk region there are 20 villages and villages with names that reflect the very word "blond" or its derivatives. Only one former Dukhovschinsky county has nine villages called Abolonje. There is such a village in the former Porech district. In Sychev Uyezd point to the village of Zabolone. Also known as Obolensk, mentioned among the ancient Smolensk cities.

The Garden of Blonje (Smolensk): History

In the city, Blonje was in the 16th century. In the history of Smolensk now famous for the whole of Russia the garden came in 1885-m. At this time a solemn opening of the monument to the composer Mikhail 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 were installed in Blonje, who were taken out as trophies, as historians claim, from the dacha of Goering himself.

In the 20th century, at the end of the seventies the composition of the Glinka Monument was improved: near the speakers were placed, through which it became possible to systematically broadcast fragments from the composer's works.

In 2009, the garden of Blonier again changed its appearance: in the corners of the park were installed forged openwork gratings, which somewhat changed it. In 2012, in the center of the garden, the first light and music fountain in the city was earned.

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The official year of the park is the 1830th. It was at this time that an equal platform near the walls of the Smolensk fortress, used as a springboard for the drill of soldiers, was transformed into a garden by the decree of Emperor Nicholas I. The then governor of Smolensk, Nikolai Ivanovich Khmelnitsky, supervised the construction. A senior official took an active part in planting trees, in addition, attracted to this campaign subordinates.

In 1830, the parade ground was moved to the Royal Bastion. Now at this place is the stadium "Spartacus."

The governor and officials planted trees with their own hands. Since then, among the local ladies, it has become customary to break flower beds in their own gardens.

The garden was opened in 1885, simultaneously with the installation of the monument to the great countryman Smolyan - composer Glinka. Money from the townspeople was collected for 15 years.

Nicholas Khmelnitsky is still remembered as a governor, not indifferent to the charm of the inhabitants. His merits are:

• The opening of the first provincial library;
• The organization of manufactory and handicraft exhibitions;
• Construction of new and repair of old stone and wooden houses;
• Paving stone and rubble of streets, reconstruction of bridges.

But the loan received from the tsar, in 1 million rubles to the sworn men and envious persons did not give rest. On unlike other governors, scuffs and denunciations were born, which eventually made their case. By the will of the sovereign Smolensk governor was baked in 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, resting leisurely, walking leisurely along beautiful alleys, with slender rows of lanterns installed on each side, to sit on cozy benches and reflect on something good.

Our Today

Garden Blonje (Smolensk), photo in the article represent its most interesting corners, has long been distinguished by a special aristocratic charm. On small information boards, the entrances contain warnings about the rules of politeness: in the park it is forbidden to swear, smoke and violate generally accepted norms of behavior.

In the center of the garden there is a musical fountain, from which pedestrian paths diverge in different directions.

This amazing city park today is a favorite place for rest of townspeople and tourists. During a walk around Smolensk, citizens must visit a local celebrity.

More and more visitors are attracted to interesting design, cleanliness, a sufficient number of installed benches and an unusual beauty of the alley. With the installation in the park of the first light-musical fountain in Smolensk, the flow of those wishing to spend free time here has increased even more. On hot days, guests gather at the fountain, this place is chosen by lovers for visits.

In the garden there is a famous cafe "Russian Dvor", the exterior design of which, as well as the interior are in the Russian folk style with a rural bias. Near the institution is a colorful cow with a cart, on which flowers are planted.

It is surrounded by yellow-red cups and a teapot, also densely seated with flowers. At the entrance to the cafe, guests are greeted by a large matryoshka doll. The cafe is widely known for its excellent service and simple, inexpensive dishes.

Among the many parks and squares of the city the garden of Blonje stands out for its interesting historical location, beauty and coziness. For carrying out of public events in it the concert platform where on a weekend the live orchestra plays is established.

At the entrance to the garden there are beautiful curly gates. On weekends, they are sometimes decorated with ribbons and balls.

It is universally recognized as guests and residents of the city: verily, the garden of Blonje is a tourist attraction. Smolensk has the right to be proud of it.

Statues of the park

The garden of Blonje is famous for its statues. There is a monument to MI Glinka, as well as sculptures of a deer and lions.

Monument to MI Glinka

The speakers installed next to the monument to the composer periodically convey to the listeners their musical compositions. A 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 building of the Noble Assembly. Now here is the Philharmonic.

Smolensk for this was chosen not accidentally - the birthplace of the great composer is the village of Novospasskoe (county of Elninsky). The author of the monument was the famous sculptor - A.R. von Bock. To create a monument for 15 years, voluntary donations were collected. In May 1885 the monument was opened in the presence of many famous cultural figures and with a huge crowd of people.

The composer is depicted with his back to the music stand. The symbolism of this position is that Glinka was not only a conductor of the orchestra, but above all a composer. Interesting and surprising to many details is that the coat on the figure of the musician is made for some reason in the female manner: the buttons on it are on the left, and it is wrapped on the right side.

A cast-iron fence around the monument (in the form of a musical staff) was cast according to the project of Academician IS Bogomolov. The cast-iron musical notations of the fragments from the composer's works stuck to her forever: the operas "Prince Kholmsky", "Ruslan and Lyudmila", "Ivan Susanin", etc. Every hour the world-famous works sound from the speakers.

Statue of a deer

After the Great Victory, three more statues were erected on the territory of the garden - the famous bronze deer and two lions.

The Smolensk deer consider it a kind of symbol of success: if you make a wish and rub the monument, the enigma will come true. There are always too many people who want to check the legend, so the monument had to be restored several times. The statue of the deer is more than one hundred years old, it was erected in honor of the hunting trophies of the King of Prussia Wilhelm II 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 was shot by a deer with unusual branched horns. The animal so shocked the ruler that he ordered to immortalize him in bronze. In 1910, the sculpture, created a half times larger than the original, was installed near 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 with the date of its creation and the name of the sculpture - Richard Freese. 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 Guards of the N Corps.

Lions

Not far from the statue of the deer there are two small sculptural images of lions. People love to gather near them, musicians often play.

The travelers' reviews contain information that many people are amazed and amused by this dissonance: small figures of lions, similar to "overgrown cats", and a stately, huge figure of a deer.

Cafe "Russian Yard"

Another attraction of the park is the cafe "Russky Dvor", which is considered our response to "McDonald's".

The interior of the cafe is executed in Russian style. In the opinion of some visitors, this 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. The service here is organized according to the bistro system, like McDonald's. The cost of food is very democratic. In the cafe you can order all kinds of Russian cuisine: from hot (soups and second courses) to salads, pies, pancakes and ice cream.

Reviews

Tourists who visited the garden of Blonje (Smolensk), reviews about the cafes are most active. They call it a wonderful place, in which the truly "top class fast food" is presented. Guests praise the non-Russian design of the establishment, service and technical equipment.

The choice of dishes and prices here, according to reviews, will pleasantly surprise everyone. What's not here, write grateful visitors: salads, okroshka, stewed vegetables, chicken chops, homemade sausages, pies with cherries, tiramisu in a foiege, kvass, mead, fruit drinks, pancakes. For fast food it's just "indecent" an extensive assortment, guests write, and the dishes here are cooked very tasty.

By the way, in the reviews about the cafe, located in the garden of Blonje, the visitors kindly provided some historical information. It turns out that the concept of "fast food", ie, "fast food" - also of Russian origin!

After the victory in the Patriotic War, when the Russian army entered the Paris left by Napoleon, the hungry warriors, running into the cafe, urged the waiters with the words: "Quickly, quickly!". So in the French capital appeared - a cafe-bistro, which became the first fast food establishments.

The garden of Blonje (Smolensk): address

All the townspeople know about it. With the address is difficult to make a mistake: Smolensk, pl. Lenin, the city garden of Blonje, in the center near the fountains. Do not worry that the landmark is somewhat vague. By itself, the favorite park of Smolensk is a small green square in the center of the city, and in the heart of the garden is the desired cafe.

For the convenience of the guests: how to get there?

You should go by bus to the bus stop. "October Revolution" (No. 53, 8, 38). Then about a block you should walk (on October Revolution Street).

Shuttle bus:

• Before the stop. "Glinka", No. 21.
• Before the stop. "Hotel", № 42.
• Before the stop. "October Revolution", No. 44, 13, 40.