The Smolenskaya fortress wall is a stone fence with several towers, each of which has its own interesting history. Let's talk about some of them in this article.
The stone fortress in Smolensk was built in the late 16th - early 17th century. The height of the walls reached 18 meters. The 38 towers consisted mainly of three tiers and reached 22-33 m in height. The wall of this fortress is considered the most powerful in the history of Russia. Even Napoleon managed to blow up only 9 towers. In peacetime, the Smolenskaya fortress wall served as a source of bricks, which were used to restore buildings destroyed by the war. Today we can see 18 towers and fragments of the wall scattered throughout the city. That's how big the Smolensk fortress wall was, the history of which is filled with many heroic battles.
Altar tower
It consists of 16 faces and is located at the end of Isakovsky street. It is in the possession of the Smolensk diocese, so its inner part is not available for inspection, as it is part of the monastery territory. Nowadays, the tower has been restored and re-covered with a roof that waslost during World War II.
Pozdnyakov Tower
It consists of four faces and is located on Timiryazev Street. It was named after the merchant Pozdnyakov. The people called her "Rogovka". It received this name because it is located in the place where the road bifurcates. The tower was also subjected to numerous enemy attacks during the wars. During World War II, it also lost its roof, but was partially restored in 2013.
Volkov Tower
Despite the fact that today we can see at least partially what the Smolensk fortress wall was, the history of the towers of which is associated with repelling numerous enemy attacks, in peacetime it begins to collapse from old age, and nothing can be done about it to do. For example, the Volkov tower is barely supported by giant metal props, although it continues to crumble. It is located on Soboleva street. It is believed that the tower is named after one of its defenders. Although, according to another version, its name comes from the word "volgly", which means wet, since in ancient times a branch of the Dnieper flowed opposite it. The tower is called Strelka in another way, because it offers a direct and clear view of Rachevka.
At the beginning of the 18th century, there was a powder magazine in the tower. Even then, she was in a deplorable state. Therefore, it, as well as the adjacent Smolensk fortress wall, were dismantled. The tower was erected again in 1877 andcontained in it the archives of the district court. In Soviet times, they even lived in it, but now it is dangerous to enter it. She's about to collapse. The city authorities are doing their best to save the architectural monument.
Veselukha Tower
When visiting this architectural structure, which, by the way, is included in a sightseeing tour of Smolensk, it would seem that a tourist has nothing to be afraid of, because it has such a funny name. But it turns out there is something to be afraid of. At least the legend that says that the daughter of one of the city merchants was immured alive in this tower. This was done in order to pay off the evil spirits that did not allow the tower to stand properly in its place and not crack. But the girl, apparently gone mad with grief, did not cry, but laughed in her confinement. That is why the tower was called "Veselukha". On the basis of this material, Ettinger wrote a novel called "Veselukha Tower". Although, if you do not believe the ancient horror stories, it turns out that it got its name for the cheerful landscape that opens if you climb to the very top. The Smolenskaya fortress wall includes several towers, but this one is the most popular. It has also been completely renovated.
Eagle Tower
Tourists often come here to admire the stunning panoramic view that opens from its platform. The Smolensk fortress wall is scattered throughout the city. The address of this tower is Timiryazev Street. She is sometimes confused with Veselukha. But these are two completely different towers with their own stories. On thethis is believed to have been inhabited by the eagles who flew away as soon as the war began. The tower is not round at all, but has 16 faces. In another way, it was called Gorodetskaya due to the fact that at the foot of it there was an earthen fortification, which in ancient times was called the "town".
An unpleasant story happened to this tower. Funds were allocated for its reconstruction. When work began, there was a fire. The materials are burned. The authorities walled up the tower. In this form, it still exists. It can only be viewed from the outside.
Kopyten Tower
This part of the Smolensk fortress wall is located on the territory of the Lopatinsky Garden. Previously, it was surrounded by a moat with water and an earthen rampart. This tower has three tiers and an L-shaped passage. Above the gates, icons have been preserved, which were traditionally installed on structures of this type. It is not difficult to guess that the name of the tower is associated with the word "hoof". Indeed, it was built on a road used to drive cattle to pastures. The tower has been restored, but the gate is not used in any way.
Kassandal Tower
The second name of this tower is Kozadolovska. It is also due to the fact that pastures were located near it. This tower has not survived to this day. If it had not been blown up by Napoleon's troops, then you would have found it on the site of the Square of Memory of Heroes. Instead, here in 1912 the building of the city school was built. During World War II, it was destroyed and then rebuilt. Now it housesmuseum.
The volume of this article does not allow to tell about all the towers that the Smolensk fortress wall includes. The opening hours of the towers are not worth looking for. But the museums located in them are usually open from 10 am to 5 pm. Day off - Monday.
