Smolensk history is of interest not only to the residents and visitors of this city.It is marked by many events of national significance.Diamond capital of Russia, the key-town hero city, spread out on seven hills ... When we speak of Smolensk, talk about the history of the whole of Russia, since it is here that often crossed the path and destiny of our homeland.
Before you begin a story about the history of the city, say a few words about the whereabouts of Smolensk.It is located to the north-west of Moscow, 378 km away, in the upper reaches of the Dnieper.On its territory is home to about 330 thousand. Man.On the map is marked in red Smolensk region.
curious feature of Smolensk
Smolensk is one of the oldest cities in Russia.He is the same age as Novgorod and Kiev is older than Moscow.History of Smolensk began in 863 when the city was built on the road "from the Vikings to the Greeks."It reminds himself the ancient temple, the defensive earthen wall, the fortress tower.These monuments and buildings have witnessed the emergence and development of Smolensk, and with it the whole of Russia.It is home to the Smolensk region, Gagarin Asimov, Glinka, Przewalski, Twardowski and other people who are known outside of our state.
very beautiful today the center of Smolensk.The city was able to combine a spirit of antiquity and modernity bright dynamic atmosphere.He lives today busy life of the youth.There is a trendy nightlife, numerous universities and theaters.The exotic tea, cozy coffee shops and noisy bars, squares, sunny, green parks and shady corners feel the rhythm of the city, its pulsation and breathing.
Speaking of Smolensk and Smolensk region, it is impossible not to note the nature reserves and parks, the beauty of the mirror-like surface of lakes and green forests.Nature lovers will be able to breathe the forest air, to visit the unspoilt nature that can be found in Smolensk Lakes - National Park.
While changing over time, the city is still able to maintain a provincial charm, ancient traditions and unique culture.The atmosphere gives the identity of Smolensk eclectic youth life, beating the key, and ancient customs.
emergence of Smolensk, the first pages of the history
The city originated in the upper reaches of the Dnieper as a center of the Slavic tribe Krivichy.Smolensk History begins with the first mention of it in Ustiug chronicles, which dates from the year 863.In the story about how the squad Askold and Dir went on a campaign to Tsar Grad, said that the city of Smolensk at the time was a "hail and lots of great people."In 882, there was the capture of Prince Oleg of this settlement, which is referred to in the first Novgorod Chronicle.History of Smolensk noted that it at the end of the IX century became part of Kievan Rus, but ruled vechem for a long time after that.The notes Constantine VII (the Byzantine emperor), belonging to the middle of the X century, this city is called, together with Kiev fortress.
Smolensk in XI-XII centuries
After he died in 1054, Yaroslav the Wise, while in Smolensk reigned his younger sons Vyacheslav first, and after him - Igor.
we are interested in the city at the end of XI century becomes a specific city of Vladimir Monomakh, who received it in addition to Pereyaslavl South, his old "patrimony".Smolensk principality has achieved political independence when Rostislav Mstislavovich, grandson of Monomakh.Rostislav hedged in 1134 Smolensk townsmen fortifications.At that time the city was already very large.It was conducted intensive stone construction continued under his sons Rostislav Mstislavovich - novels, with a short break Knyazhye 1160 by 1180, and David (1180 by 1197).In Smolensk, the end of the XII century there is an independent school of architecture.
on favorable terrain points along the Dnieper River, the city has a large and monastic churches, townsmen and princes of the church, and Episcopal churches.This created a beautiful panorama of Smolensk made on the merchants, who came from abroad, a lasting impression.
intellectual life of the city
literature and culture at the time reached a high level.When the temples were created workshops where they copied books and school teaching Latin and Greek.These great thinkers were from the Smolensk land, as Clement Smolyatich, scribes and philosopher, who was elected Metropolitan of Kiev in 1147 and the Reverend Abraham of Smolensk, "pastoral gifts" and "learning" which marked his various contemporaries.
development of crafts and trade, the invasion of Batu
develop crafts and trade.In 1229 he concluded a treaty with Gotland, Riga and north-German city.This agreement is known as the "Smolensk trading truth."After defeating a detachment of Batu in 1239, Smolensk escaped the Mongol devastation, although it subsequently had to pay tribute to the Golden Horde.Nomads in 1339 tried again to capture the rebellious city, however, saw strong fortifications at the site where the Smolensk retreated.
Smolensk as part of Duchy of Lithuania
This town from the XIV century, under pressure from Lithuania.Vytautas, Grand Duke of Lithuania, in 1404 treacherously captured Smolensk after the two-month siege.In 1410 Smolensk, being already in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, participated in the Battle of Grunwald.The main impact of the Teutons took over three of Smolensk regiment, who were at the center of the Army of the Slavic peoples.They fought to the death, thinking, in fact, the outcome of this battle.
Liberation of Smolensk, the development of the city in the XVI century
When Prince Vasily III in 1514 Smolensk was released.He became a part of Muscovy.When Ivan the Terrible in the middle of the XVI century, it is erected on the earthen shaft new oak fortress.Posad significantly expands the Dnieper, the left bank there are two new settlements - and Churilovskaya Rachevsky.John Kobentsel foreigner, who in 1575 visited the city, compared with the value of its Rome.Polish-Lithuanian forces, deprived of the fortress, strategically important for them, repeatedly attempted to retake the city.The decision to strengthen the country's western borders outpost was adopted at the end of the XVI century.In Smolensk, in the years 1596-1602 was built a powerful fortress wall.
invasion Poles
City stands in the years 1609-1611 dvadtsatimesyachnuyu siege, which he has subjected the army of Sigismund III, the Polish king.In an untitled letter that called to fight the invaders, he said that if the Russian state was at least a few of these "krepkostoyatelnyh cities", the enemies would discourage others to enter the Russian land.Bloodless Smolensk in June 1611 fell.Only 43 years later, during the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich, was released from the Poles, and he was finally entered into the Russian state.
Northern War in the history of the city
Smolensk during the Great Northern War, was again on the way conquerors.Repeatedly I came here by Peter I, in the event of invasion of the Swedes fortified the town.This emperor in October 1708 at the City Hall solemnly met Russian troops that defeated near the village of Forest who went to the aid of Charles XII Swedish corps under the command of General Lewenhaupt.
new status
we are interested in the city in 1708 received a new status - a provincial city.The old coat of arms of Smolensk, which depicts a gun and a bird of paradise sitting on it is approved in 1780.Below silver ribbon today the motto: "glorified fortress."The modern coat of arms of Smolensk Smolensk nizhe.V presented by the end of the XVIII century lived 11579 inhabitants.
historic reunification of the two armies at Smolensk
In the history of Smolensk wrote a heroic page in 1812.1st and 2nd Russian army retreating from the western borders after the invasion of Napoleon, joined near Smolensk.The French are met by fierce resistance from Russian: on the walls and bastions of the attack of the enemy bravely reflected the Russian soldiers.Connection armies of Bagration and Barclay de Tolly at Smolensk thwart the plans of Napoleon's defeat them one by one.In many ways, this is what determined the outcome of the Battle of Borodino (commander in chief - Kutuzov).
Battle of Smolensk: details
French soldiers would in no matter what was the birthday of the emperor (August 4) to enter this city.And here August 4-5, there was a battle near Smolensk.Grenades and hundreds of cores, thousands of bullets was showered city.The French had almost mastered Molohovskimi gate.However, the aid arrived, on time and ran out of the wall, Russian kicked out of the moat of the French.Also in other places the heroes of Smolensk fought off attacks.Participation in the battle took many townspeople, carrying the wounded to the city core and feeding the soldiers.Not afraid of nuclear, women brought buckets of water weary soldiers.For a long time to continue the defense of Smolensk.The French again and again rushed to storm the city, but always to no avail.Then the emperor Napoleon ordered him to ignite the bombs, and the city went up in flames in the fire.
August 6 in the morning the French have come not without misgivings empty Smolensk.The Nikolsky Gates drove Napoleon.The troops of Emperor 4 days later went to Moscow.However, the Russian army has joined together, and retreated.Russian troops on the Borodino field, animated by the presence of the gate Mother of God in their ranks (it wore in the camp before the battle), repulsed the attacks of the French.Bonaparte understood then the power of the Russian spirit.
Return of Napoleon Napoleon
2 months after the capture of Smolensk fled already back with his hungry army.He went on foot to Smolensk on October 28 through the gates Dnepropetrovsk without any solemnity, on an icy road.As before, the city was empty.Hunger and cold and there met the remnants of his army.Napoleon, infuriated by this, ordered to blow up the walls of the city, fatal for him, and left him to run farther.In the air soared 9 Smolensk towers.From beneath came to the rescue of other Russian rangers had removed the wicks.
Smolensk in the early XX century
Smolensk to the beginning of the XX century was a wooden provincial town.Only 283 of 2,698 buildings were made of stone.In this city, according to the census of 1881, there were 33.9 thousand. People.40 churches and monasteries acted in Smolensk.On the night of October 31, 1917 resulted in pre-revolutionary history of this city.A new page of her - Soviet Smolensk.It was then that the local Bolsheviks announced the establishment of Soviet power in the city.He faced a ruin, and then restoring the economy, the monstrous Stalinist repression during the Nazi occupation.
Great Patriotic War in the history of the city of Smolensk
in June 1941, was in the path of the main blow of the German armies.Stubborn fighting for the city lasted two weeks.Long-term defense of Smolensk has led to the fact that the plan of lightning capture of the capital was disrupted.Here for the first time the German troops during World War II were forced to go on the defensive.
In 1943, 25 September, there was a battle near Smolensk, as a result of which the city was liberated.The war has brought untold suffering to the land.Smolensk military suffered heavy losses.Almost to the base of the enemy destroyed the city.His liberators of 157 thousand inhabitants who lived here before the war, waited only 13 thousand people.
"Key-city"
Smolensk, going through all fallen to his share of ordeals, retained a unique look.The city walls and ancient temples, modest obelisks and majestic monuments - like the milestones in his life, is closely associated with the fate of our country.Smolensk, surviving fires fires, enemy invasion, destruction, gained fame guard borders of the Russian state, became a symbol of Russian patriotism and resistance.It is not for nothing called the key city.
Historical Museums Smolensk
Today, the history of the city you can introduce him to museums.This Historical Museum, "Smolensk - Shield of Russia" (pictured below), "Smolensk region during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945."Each of them in their own interest.Historical Museum will tell you about the past of the city from prehistoric times to the XX century."Smolensk - Shield of Russia" is in Thunder tower, which is part of the Smolensk fortress wall.
visit this place, you can see for yourself the unique interior of the tower, climb its steep and narrow stairs inside to admire the wooden canopy, as well as learn about the wars that took place here in the XVI-XVII centuries, and the construction of the fortress wall.
"Smolensk during the Great Patriotic War" - a museum located in the building formerly owned by the City People's School, built in 1912.Construction of the building was dedicated to the centennial anniversary of the victory over Napoleon.May 8, 2015 the museum was opened after reconstruction.
visiting these museums of Smolensk, you will feel the history of the city, learn a lot of new and interesting things about it.
