Smolensk

The firt mention of Smolensk is found in 'Stories of Ancient Years' written in 862. At that times Smolensk was a centre of the Slavonic principality as a part of Kiev Rus. Smolensk principality became very weak after the Mongol-Tatar invasion and in 13th century became a part of the Great Kingdom of Lithuania.

In 1514 the Russian army of King Vasily III took Smolensk after three long sieges. Realising the great importance of the city, in 1595 King Fyodor Ivanovich ordered built here a great fortress. Architect Fyodor Kon spent 8 years and built the greatest wall at that time, which went round city and was 6 km long. Smolensk Fortress played an important role in Polish-Russian wars in 17th century. Being under siege for 20 months in 1611 it concentrated main Polish powers here and the Russian army could protect Moscow. Nevertheless Russians could regain Smolensk only in 1654.

In 1812 after a great artillery bombardment Napoleon's army took Smolensk. The French blew up many towers of the Kremlin and burned the city. After the war the half-destroyed city lost its strategic inmportance. Development began in 1868 when the railway was built here.

Next time Smolensk was devastated by bolshevicks who took power here after the Great October Revolution of 1917. They robbed and destroyed many churches and palaces in the city. Most of what was left was destroyed during the Second World war.

In our days many cultural and historical monuments and buildings are lost forever. Authorities are making some small efforts to preserve beautiful places in the city but it may be a long time before the beauty of Smolensk is restored.