Viazma

Vyazma mentioned in chronicles for the first time in 1239. It was very well defenced town on the border of Smolensk principality. When Tatars came to Rus in 1403 Vyazma joined the Great kingdom of Lithuania for a while.

In 1494 king Ivan the Third took Vyazma and joined it to the kingdom of Russia. To protect the town many stone towers were built and Russian troops arrived. Standing on the main route from Moscow to Europe Vyazma was destroyed a few times during Russian-Polish wars in the 17th century. Although the city was repaired it was burned and destroyed again in 1812 by Napoleon's army.

In 1860 the railway was built and the city began to grow and develop as an industrial center. Vyazma also developed as cultural center of the region and many churches, monasterys and schools were built at that time.

During the USSR era which began after the Great October revolution, almost all temples were looted and closed. Vyazma became an industrial city only, and a large railway junction. During the Second Great war the city was completely destroyed, because of the large battles fought there.

In our days Vyazma is a small town in the Smolensk area. There is only one remaining tower of the castle, which is used as a storage area. Some memorials are repaired, but many beautiful buildings still remain in ruins.