The history of Smolensk is of interest not only to residents and guests of this city. It is marked by many events of national significance. The diamond capital of Russia, the key city, the hero city spread over 7 hills… When they talk about Smolensk, they talk about the history of all of Russia, because it was here that the destinies and paths of our Fatherland often crossed.
Before starting the story about the history of the city, let's say a few words about where Smolensk is located. It is located northwest of Moscow, 378 km from it, in the upper reaches of the Dnieper. About 330 thousand people live on its territory. The Smolensk region is marked in red on the map.
Curious features of the city of Smolensk
Smolensk is one of the oldest cities in Russia. He is the same age as Novgorod and Kyiv, 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 of itself either with an ancient temple, or with a defensive earthen rampart, or with a fortress tower. Thesemonuments and buildings witnessed the emergence and development of Smolensk, and with it the whole of Russia. It is the Smolensk Territory that is the birthplace of 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 bright dynamic atmosphere of modernity. He lives today a rich youth life. There are trendy nightclubs, many universities and cinemas. In exotic tea houses, cozy coffee shops and noisy bars, in sun-drenched squares, in green parks and shady corners, you can feel the rhythm of the city, its pulsation and breath.
Speaking of Smolensk and the Smolensk region, it is impossible not to note the nature of nature reserves and parks, the beauty of the mirror surface of lakes and green forests. Nature lovers will be able to breathe in the forest air, visit the untouched corners of nature, which can be found in the Smolensk Poozerie National Park.
Changing over time, this city has managed to retain its provincial charm, ancient traditions and unique culture. The atmosphere of originality of Smolensk is given by the eclecticism of youth life, which is in full swing, and ancient customs.
The emergence of Smolensk, the first pages of history
This city arose in the upper reaches of the Dnieper as the center of the Krivichi Slavic tribe. The history of Smolensk begins with the first mention of it in the Ustyug annals, which dates back to 863. In the story of how the squads of Askold and Dir went toa trip to Tsar-grad, it is said that the city of Smolensk at that time was "a great city and many people." In 882, this settlement was taken by Prince Oleg, which is mentioned in the first Novgorod Chronicle. The history of Smolensk is marked by the fact that at the end of the 9th century it became part of Kievan Rus, but it was ruled by the veche for a long time after that. In the notes of Constantine Porphyrogenitus (the Byzantine emperor), dating back to the middle of the 10th century, this city, along with Kyiv, is called a fortress.
Smolensk in the XI-XII centuries
After Yaroslav the Wise died in 1054, his younger sons reigned in Smolensk for some time: first Vyacheslav, and after him - Igor.
The city of interest to us at the end of the 11th century becomes the specific city of Vladimir Monomakh, who received it in addition to Pereyaslavl South, his old "patrimony". The principality of Smolensk achieved political independence under Rostislav Mstislavovich, the grandson of Monomakh. Rostislav in 1134 surrounded the Smolensk settlement with fortifications. At that time, this city was already very large. Intensive stone construction began to be carried out in it, which continued under the sons of Rostislav Mstislavovich - Roman, who reigned with a short break from 1160 to 1180, and David (from 1180 to 1197). An independent architectural school appeared in Smolensk by the end of the 12th century.
On advantageous points of relief, along the Dnieper, there were large city and monastery cathedrals, township and princely churches, as well as episcopal churches. This created a picturesque panorama of Smolensk, which producedpeople coming from abroad, a lasting impression.
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 copied, as well as schools teaching Latin and Greek. Such great educators came from the Smolensk region, such as Kliment Smolyatich, a scribe and philosopher, elected Metropolitan of Kyiv in 1147, and the Monk Abraham of Smolensk, whose "gifts of shepherding" and "learning" were noted by various of his contemporaries.
Development of crafts and trade, 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 "Smolensk Trade Truth". Having defeated the Batu detachment in 1239, the Smolensk people escaped the Tatar-Mongol ruin, although they subsequently had to pay tribute to the Golden Horde. Nomads in 1339 tried to capture this recalcitrant city again, however, having seen powerful fortifications on the site where Smolensk is located, they retreated.
Smolensk as part of the Principality of Lithuania
This city has been under pressure from Lithuania since the 14th century. Vitovt, the Lithuanian prince, in 1404 treacherously captured Smolensk after a two-month siege. In 1410, the Smolensk people, being already part of the Lithuanian principality, participated in the Battle of Grunwald. The main blow of the Teutons was taken by three Smolensk regiments, which were in the center of the army of the Slavic peoples. They fought to the death, deciding, in fact, the outcome of thisbattles.
Liberation of Smolensk, development of the city in the 16th century
Under Prince Vasily III in 1514, Smolensk was liberated. It became part of the Muscovite state. Under Ivan the Terrible in the middle of the 16th century, a new oak fortress was erected on an earthen rampart. The settlement behind the Dnieper is expanding significantly, two new settlements appear on the left bank - Churilovskaya and Rachevskaya. The foreigner John Cobenzel, who visited the city in 1575, compared its size with Rome. The Polish-Lithuanian detachments, having lost the fortress, which was strategically important for them, repeatedly made attempts to recapture the city. The decision to strengthen the outpost of the western borders of the country was made at the end of the 16th century. A powerful fortress wall was erected in Smolensk in 1596-1602.
Polish invasion
The city endures a twenty-month siege in 1609-1611, which was subjected to it by the army of Sigismund III, the Polish king. In one unnamed letter, which called for a fight against the interventionists, it was said that if the Russian state had at least a few such "strong cities", then it would be repulsive for the enemies to enter the Russian land. Bloodless Smolensk fell in June 1611. Only 43 years later, during the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich, he was freed from the Poles and he finally became part of the Russian state.
The Northern War in the history of the city
Smolensk during the Great Northern War again found itself on the path of the conquerors. Repeatedly Peter I came here, in case of invasion of the Swedesfortifying the city. This sovereign in October 1708 at the city hall solemnly met the Russian troops, who defeated the Swedish corps led by General Lewenhaupt, who was going to the aid of Charles XII, near the village of Lesnoy.
New status
The city of interest to us in 1708 receives a new status - the status of a provincial city. The ancient coat of arms of Smolensk, which depicts a cannon and a bird of paradise sitting on it, was approved in 1780. At the bottom, on a silver ribbon, the motto is written today: "Glorified by the fortress." The modern emblem of Smolensk is presented below.
Smolensk had 11,579 inhabitants by the end of the 18th century.
Historic reunification of the two armies near Smolensk
The year 1812 wrote a heroic page in the history of Smolensk. The 1st and 2nd Russian armies, retreating from the western borders after the invasion of Napoleon, united near Smolensk. The French here met fierce resistance from the Russians: Russian soldiers courageously repelled enemy attacks on the fortress walls and bastions. The union of the armies of Bagration and Barclay de Tolly near Smolensk thwarted Napoleon's plans to defeat them one by one. In many ways, it was this that determined the outcome of the Battle of Borodino (the commander-in-chief was Kutuzov).
Battle of Smolensk: details
French soldiers wanted to enter this city at all costs on the birthday of their emperor (August 4). And on August 4-5, the battle near Smolensk took place. Hundreds of grenades and cores, thousandsbullets rained down on the city. The French almost took possession of the Molokhov Gate. However, help arrived in time and, having run out over the wall, the Russians drove the French out of the moat. Also in other places, the heroes of Smolensk repulsed the attacks. Many townspeople took part in the battle, taking the wounded into the city and serving the soldiers with cannonballs. Not afraid of the cannonballs, the women brought buckets of water to the weary soldiers. The defense of Smolensk continued for a long time. The French again and again rushed to storm the city, but always to no avail. Then Emperor Napoleon ordered to light it with bombs, and the city went up in flames.
On the morning of August 6, the French entered the deserted Smolensk, not without fear. Napoleon entered the Nikolsky Gate. The emperor's troops set off for Moscow 4 days later. However, the Russian armies had already united and retreated together. The Russian troops on the Borodino field, inspired by the presence of the over-gate icon of the Mother of God in their ranks (it was carried around the camp before the battle), repelled the attacks of the French. Bonaparte then understood the power of the Russian spirit.
Return of Napoleon
Napoleon, 2 months after the capture of Smolensk, fled back with his hungry army. On October 28, he entered Smolensk on foot through the Dnepropetrovsk gates without any solemnity, along an icy road. The city was still empty. Hunger and cold met the remnants of his army here too. Napoleon, enraged by this, ordered the walls of the city, fatal to him, to be blown up, and left him in order to flee further. 9 Smolensk towers flew into the air. From under the rest, the Russian huntsmen who came to the rescue managed to take out the wicks.
Smolensk inearly 20th century
Smolensk by the beginning of the 20th century was a provincial wooden city. Only 283 out of 2698 buildings were made of stone. In this city, according to the 1881 census, 33.9 thousand people lived. 40 temples and monasteries operated in Smolensk. On the night of October 31, 1917, the pre-revolutionary history of this city ended. A new page has begun - the Soviet Smolensk. It was then that the local Bolsheviks announced the establishment of Soviet power in this city. Destruction was coming, and then the restoration of the economy, the monstrous Stalinist repressions, the years of fascist occupation.
The Great Patriotic War in the history of the city
Smolensk in June 1941 was on the path of the main attack of the German armies. Stubborn battles for this city lasted two weeks. The long defense of Smolensk led to the fact that the plan for the lightning capture of the capital was thwarted. Here German troops were forced to go on the defensive for the first time during World War II.
In 1943, on September 25, there was a battle near Smolensk, as a result of which this city was liberated. The war has brought untold suffering to this land. Military Smolensk suffered heavy losses. Almost to the very foundations, the enemy destroyed the city. Out of 157,000 residents who lived here before the war, only 13,000 people waited for their liberators.
Key City
Smolensk, having gone through all the severe trials that fell to its lot, has retained its unique appearance. Fortified walls and ancient temples, modest obelisks andmajestic monuments are like milestones in his fate, which is closely connected with the fate of our country. Smolensk, having survived the fires of fires, enemy invasions, destruction, gained fame as the guardian of the borders of the Russian state, became a symbol of Russian patriotism and stamina. It's called Key City for a reason.
Historical museums of Smolensk
Today you can get acquainted with the history of the city in its museums. These are the Historical Museum, the museum "Smolensk - the shield of Russia" (pictured below), "Smolensk region during 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.
By visiting this place, you can see with your own eyes the unique interior of the tower, climb its steep narrow stairs, admire the wooden tent from the inside, and also learn about the wars that took place here in the 16th-17th centuries and about the construction of the fortress wall.
"Smolensk region during the Second World War" - a museum located in a building that previously belonged to the City People's School, built in 1912. The construction of this building was dedicated to the centenary of the victory over Napoleon. On May 8, 2015, the museum was opened after reconstruction.
By visiting these museums of Smolensk, you will touch the history of the city, learn a lot of new and interesting things about it.
