City in Russia, the administrative center of the Smolensk region. Hero City (1985). It is located in the upper reaches, between the Dukhovshchinskaya and Krasninsko-Smolenskaya uplands.

City in the Middle Ages

The first dated mention of Smolensk is found in the Ustyug chronicle and refers to 863. The chronicler noted that "the city is great and many people." Probably, initially Smolensk was the center of the Krivichi tribe that lived here and was located 10 km west of the present city, in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe modern village of Gnezdova. The name of the city is most often associated with the word "resin", which was driven and sold by local residents for the repair of ships passing along the Dnieper. In some sources there is an early name of the settlement - Smolenets. Having arisen on the trade route, in the upper reaches of the Dnieper, Smolensk was of great importance for the whole, it was a major military, commercial and craft center. Smolensk princes repeatedly became the Grand Dukes of Kyiv.

Christianity came to Smolensk in 1013, but the first stone church in the city appeared only a century later, in 1101. Then he ordered to lay the Smolensk Assumption Cathedral on the Cathedral Hill. XII - the beginning of the XIII century became the heyday of the Smolensk principality: mass stone construction was carried out in Smolensk, the churches of Peter and Paul, John the Evangelist, Michael the Archangel were erected. At that time, Smolensk had about 30-35 thousand inhabitants and, in terms of the number of architectural monuments, was second only to Kyiv and. In the first half of the 12th century, near Smolensk, in the bay of the Smyadyn River, the Borisoglebsky Monastery was founded. Construction was going on at the place where in 1015 the people of Svyatopolk the Accursed killed the Murom prince Gleb, who became one of the first Russian saints.

The first period of prosperity of the Smolensk principality is closely connected with the names of the grandson of Vladimir Monomakh, Prince Rostislav Mstislavovich, and his sons Davyd and Roman. About Davyd, the chronicle testifies that he "loved books to read and had a sharp memory", and about Roman - that he was "a great scholar of all sciences."

In 1230-1232, almost the entire population of Smolensk was struck by a pestilence, and in 1238 troops approached the city, but the Smolensk residents managed to repel the attack. In the XIII century, the Smolensk principality experienced a constant external threat, primarily from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the west and the Grand Duchy of Moscow in the east. The aggressive campaigns of warlike neighbors ravaged Smolensk and caused significant damage to its development. Fires also led to negative consequences for the city: in 1194, 1308, 1340 and 1415, Smolensk burned out almost completely.

Between Lithuania and Moscow

In 1404, after a two-month siege, the troops of the Lithuanian prince Vitovt captured Smolensk, and since then the city has been part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania for 110 years. In 1410, the Smolensk regiments as part of the Lithuanian-Polish army took part in against the forces of the Teutonic Order. In 1440, the Smolensk people, dissatisfied with the infringement of the rights of the Orthodox, rebelled against the Lithuanian governor and elected a new governor - Prince Andrei Dorogobuzh, and a ruler - Prince Yuri Mstislavsky. However, the very next year, the Lithuanians returned Smolensk under their control.

In 1514, the Moscow Grand Duke recaptured Smolensk from Lithuania: Moscow had made such attempts before, but only now was it successful. Realizing that the enemy would make attempts to return Smolensk, in 1595 the tsar issued a decree on the construction of a stone fortress in Smolensk. The “sovereign master” from Moscow, Fyodor Kon, was entrusted with leading the process. Boris Godunov himself was present at the laying of the fortress. Craftsmen and materials arrived in Smolensk from all over the country, and as a result, in just seven years, a fortress was built in the city with a length of about 6 km with 38 towers. Contemporaries called it "The Stone Necklace of All Russia". About 3 km of the wall and 17 towers of the fortress have survived to this day.

On August 4, Napoleon's troops approached Smolensk. The next day the city was taken: having blown up the fortress wall in several places, the French entered Smolensk. During the fighting, a strong fire broke out in the city: more than 1.5 thousand philistine houses and about 300 shops died in the fire. In Smolensk, the French executed Lieutenant Colonel P.I. Engelhardt, who oversaw the organization of partisan detachments in the Smolensk province.

After the end of the Patriotic War of 1812, Smolensk was in ruins. Of the 15 thousand inhabitants of the city, 600 survived. In 1816, the state allocated funds from the treasury to help the townspeople, and in 1817 a new plan for the restoration of Smolensk, developed by the architect Geste, was approved. The architect abandoned the ray scheme of the city's development, preferring to it the historically established network of streets with a slight straightening inside the fortress. In the 1830s, at the time when N.I. Khmelnitsky, intensive development took place in the provincial center: Smolensk "took a decent look and was decorated with pavements, stone buildings and bridges." At the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century, another wave of active stone construction and infrastructure development took place in the city. In the middle of the 19th century, Smolensk became an important railway junction connecting Moscow, Riga, Brest and Oryol. In 1901, the first power plant appeared in Smolensk, followed by a tram. In 1912, the city celebrated the 100th anniversary of the war with Napoleon with pomp: a number of monuments to that war appeared in Smolensk, including the famous Alley of Heroes with busts of military leaders.

Smolensk during the Soviet period

The purpose of the lesson: patriotic education of students on local history material.

Lesson objectives:

1. To acquaint with the history of the city of Smolensk
2. Develop speech, expand the horizons of students.
3. To cultivate love for the native city and its historical past.
4. Develop an interest in learning new things.

Equipment: Posters depicting the emblem and flag of the city of Smolensk, the anthem of the city, a projector, a multimedia presentation "Smolensk Territory - pages of history", a video clip "Smolensk".

Lesson progress

I. Organization for work

• These days, the city of Smolensk and our entire Smolensk region are celebrating a significant date - the 1150th anniversary of the birth of the city of Smolensk.
• Tell me, is it a lot or a little?
• Over the years, the city of Smolensk and the entire Smolensk region have experienced a lot.
• We begin our lesson by listening to the song "Smolensk", which has become the anthem of the city. The words of this song were written by the Smolensk poet Alexei Bodrenkov.

II. From the history of the city

slide 1

Smolensk is one of the most ancient cities of Russia. He is older than Moscow, the same age as Kyiv and Novgorod. The first inhabitants on the territory of the Smolensk region appeared about 10 thousand years ago. They were wandering hunters. They lived in families, but in search of food they moved from place to place. In addition, they were engaged in fishing and gathering. slide 2

Tools of labor changed: from stone to iron and bronze. The way of life has changed. The nomadic lifestyle was replaced by a settled way of life, which contributed to the development of agriculture and cattle breeding. Already in the first millennium AD. on the territory of the Smolensk region there were fortified settlements.

How Smolensk arose is not exactly known. The first mention of Smolensk in written sources dates back to 863, although already at that time the city was "great and many people." Once, painted boats were sailing along the Dnieper River, and in them were the princes Askold and Dir with their combatants. And they saw that the beautiful city of Smolensk was located on the banks of the Dnieper.

Rivers played an important role in the life of our ancestors. They protected from enemies, gave fish and water for cooking. It was possible to travel by boats along the rivers and conduct trade - the rivers were the main roads. So the Dnieper River was a waterway "from the Varangians to the Greeks" (from north to south). On this path, the city of Smolensk arose. Where the rivers came close to each other, shipmen pulled the boat out of the water and dragged it along the land. Heavy boats rolled along the wooden circles. slide 3

The city of Smolensk arose on an elevated place on the banks of the Dnieper River. This arrangement protected our ancestors from wild animals and from enemies. slide 4

III. Coat of arms of the city of Smolensk

The city of Smolensk had its own coat of arms. The coat of arms is a distinctive sign, the emblem of a country, city, etc. The coat of arms of the land of Smolensk was constantly changing, reflecting the history of the development of our region. Since 1998, the emblem of the Smolensk region looks like this: slide 5

Shield The coat of arms of the Smolensk region has an upper edge with five teeth - this is a symbol of the Smolensk fortress wall, which played an important role in the history of Russia. The rounded base resembles the shields of Krivichi warriors.

The white field of the shield was not chosen by chance. White color was a symbol of the western Russian lands, called White Russia. Smolensk is considered its ancient center, so it had the honorable right to decorate the coat of arms in white.

The shield depicts a cannon with a Gamayun bird sitting on it. A gun in the coat of arms of the Smolensk region says that the Smolensk people often had to protect peace and happiness with the help of weapons. The cannon is the readiness of the Smolensk people to be the first to engage in battle with the enemies. In addition, in Smolensk, for the first time in Russia, an artillery salute was fired in 1393.

Bird Gamayun - a symbol of sensitivity, peace, happiness, miraculous power, prosperity, wealth.

On top of the shield decorates princely hat, indicating that the coat of arms belongs to its origin from the Grand Duchy.

The color of the prince's cap is purple, the most honorable in heraldry, called the "king of flowers".

Shield on the sides decorated with a ribbon of the Order of Lenin - the highest award of the USSR, which was awarded to territories, enterprises and individual citizens for outstanding services to the Motherland. This order is a tribute to the labor exploits of our fathers and grandfathers in the most difficult post-war years.

Below the shield is decorated oak branch and flax stalk, intertwined with the motto ribbon "An unbending spirit will overcome everything."

An oak branch with acorns is a symbol of mature military prowess and glory. Three acorns speak of the three most significant exploits of Russians on Smolensk land: in 1609-1611 - the war with the Poles, 1812 - the war with Napoleon's army and 1941-1943 - the Great Patriotic War.

IV. Smolensk fortress wall

In the distant past, Smolensk was a border town.

He was in the west of Russia and defended its western borders. Since ancient times, Smolensk has been called the key to all of Russia. It was said that the one who owned this key considered himself the master of the whole country.

Many times the enemies dreamed of capturing our city, conquering and defeating the Smolensk people. Therefore, Smolensk had to be well fortified. The city was surrounded by a wooden fortress. slide 6

Years passed. Military affairs developed, “weapons were improved. And the wooden structure could no longer withstand the onslaught of enemy cannons. Therefore, a stone wall was erected around Smolensk.

The fortress was built by stone craftsmen who came to Smolensk from all sides of the Russian state. They worked in winter and summer, day and night. Slide 7

The construction was supervised by the famous Russian architect Fedor Kon.

In 1991, a monument was erected to him near the Gromova tower in Smolensk. Slide 8

The Smolensk fortress wall is a powerful defensive structure and a unique monument of Russian architecture. The fortress included 38 towers. The height of the walls is from 13 to 19 meters, the width is up to 6 meters. Currently, 17 towers have been preserved.

V. Victor Kunevich's poem "Fortress Wall"

Hills moving to the headboard,
The ancient wall has fallen silent.
And only the Dnieper region knows,
How much she saw.

Rays of dawn, like bursts,
They lay on her shoulder.
Wall, wall, wall of Smolensk!
I love you dearly.

You, outlining the steep slopes,
You stand like the glory of old
You to Napoleon himself
Dispelled bad dreams.

Here in the forty-first our grandfathers,
Forgetting hardships and longing,
Fought with faith in Victory,
Closing the road to Moscow.

On it, where the grasses hang in the cracks,
Splinter flourishes are visible.
As on the chronicle page
Read the history of the country.

VI. Military past of Smolensk

Since ancient times, the name of the city-warrior has been established behind Smolensk, and behind the Smolensk lands - "the western gates of Moscow." The origin of these names is easy to explain by looking at the map of the country.

The Smolensk region is located on the important western routes of our Motherland. Smolensk is located about 400 kilometers southwest of Moscow.
The history of the city of Smolensk and the Smolensk region is closely connected with the fate of the entire Russian state. For many centuries, the Smolensk land was the scene of a fierce struggle with enemies rushing to Moscow. It was here, near the walls of Smolensk, that the enemy more than once received a decisive rebuff.

1. War with Poland 1609-1611.

Seven years after the completion of construction, the strength and impregnability of the fortress in Smolensk were tested in practice. In the autumn of 1609, a large Polish army led by King Sigismund III crossed the Russian border and took the direction of Moscow. But its advance was stopped near Smolensk, the garrison of which put up heroic resistance to the enemy.

The heroic defense of Smolensk lasted almost 2 years. As a result of continuous fighting, the ranks of the Smolensk people thinned every day. The city ran out of bread, salt, lacked clean drinking water.

The inhabitants of the city vowed to die, but not to surrender. Neither famine nor epidemic could break the courage of the defenders of Smolensk.

Smolensk fell, but its heroic defense remained in the memory of the Russians for a long time. The enemy was stopped and detained at the walls of our city for almost 2 years.

For more than 40 years Smolensk was part of the Polish state.

2. Patriotic War of 1812.

Slide 9

At the beginning of the 19th century, Smolensk again served as a shield for Russia. This time she was threatened by the French army led by Emperor Napoleon. He wanted to crush the Russian army, capture Moscow and bring Russia to its knees. The main direction of advance of the French troops was Moscow. The way to Moscow lay through Smolensk.

The battle for Smolensk lasted three days: 4.5 and 6 August 1812 . The position of the defenders of the city was critical. It seemed that the Russians could not withstand such an onslaught. But the French attacks were repulsed. The city did not give up. For this, Napoleon ordered the burning of Smolensk.

In 1812, Smolensk burned twice: during the assault and during the withdrawal of French troops. After the liberation, Smolensk was difficult to recognize. The city was burned and destroyed.

3. The Great Patriotic War of 1941 - 1945.

A severe test fell on the Russian people in the summer of 1941. On June 22, Nazi Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, attacked our country. Hitler, like Napoleon, wanted to conquer the whole world and conquer Russia.

Like all people, the Smolensk people stood up to defend their Fatherland with their breasts. Thousands of our countrymen volunteered for the front in the first days of the war.

In July 1941, the famous Battle of Smolensk began. It was of historical importance. The enemy was detained on the main direction to Moscow. The Soviet Guard was born near the city of Yelnya.

In the autumn of 1941, under pressure from the enemy, our troops were forced to leave the Smolensk region. For more than two years, the Nazis ruled here. Slide 10

Residents of cities and villages went to the forests, united in partisan detachments. There were more than 120 of them in the Smolensk region.

During the war, children fought alongside adults.

In the autumn of 1943, our army launched a major offensive in the Smolensk direction. In September 1943, our troops approached Smolensk. The enemy clung to every street, every house. But nothing stopped our soldiers. Bursting into the central part of the city, our soldiers hoisted a red banner on the building of the Smolensk Hotel. On the evening of September 25, 1943, artillery volleys announced the liberation of Smolensk.

VII. Awards of the city of Smolensk.

Our state highly appreciated the feat of ancient Smolensk: two orders of Lenin, the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree. In 1985, the city of Smolensk was awarded the title of Hero City.

Poem by Vladimir Firsov.

No wonder the country is proud of you,
Your enviable fate
To your face - the star of the Hero.
Salute of Victory over you.
Shine through the ages and be at peace
Under a peaceful blue sky
Immortal worker and warrior,
Half-brother of Moscow.

VIII. Summary of the lesson

Today we got acquainted with some pages of the history of our regional city of Smolensk. Every year our Smolensk becomes more and more beautiful.

SOURCES:

1. Bolotova S.A. "ABC of the Smolensk Territory" Part 2 - Smolensk: Rusich, 2008
2. Image. [Electronic resource]. – URL: s41.radikal.ru/i093/1203/59/80a650fda2bc.jpg
3. Image. [Electronic resource]. – URL: im7-tub-ru.yandex.net/i?id=347663482-31-72&n=21
4. Song about Smolensk muzofon.com/search/

MBOU Dorogobuzh secondary school №2

Creative project on the history of Smolensk region

Completed:

Kuprikov Roman

9th grade student

Teacher: Kiseleva T.A.

2015 Plan

1. Introduction

2. Historical background

3. History of the name

4. Vedorosh battle

5. Dorogobuzh residents at the construction of the Smolensk fortress wall

6. Streets of Dorogobuzh centuries ago and today

7. Churches of Dorogobuzh

8. Monasteries of Dorogobuzh

9. Conclusion

Introduction

The Smolensk region is one of the most ancient inhabited lands. On its territory there are the remains of the material culture of the stone period. The ancestors of the current Smolensk are considered to be the Smolensk Krivichi - part of the ancient Russian association of the Krivichi, who lived in the upper reaches of the Dnieper, Western Dvina and Volga. Their neighbors in the north-west were the Polotsk Krivichi, in the north - the Novgorod Slavs, in the east - the Vyatichi, and in the south and south-west - the northerners and Radimichi. It is known that alreadyVIIcentury Smolensk land played an important role in the trade relations of Russia with other states. Smolensk Krivichi swam "to the Greeks", and "to the Bulgars", "to the Germans". Current toIXcentury, the famous trade route “from the Varangians to the Greeks” passed in two branches along the Smolensk land: from the Western Dvina to the Dnieper, down to the Black Sea and across the Vazuza River, connecting with the Great Volozhsky Way, which led “to the Bulgars” and to the Muslim East.

ATXII – XIIIFor centuries, the large shopping center Smolensk has also been known as the cultural center of the ancient Russian state. And soon another one was added to this glory. For many centuries, Smolensk remained for Russia a warrior city, the guardian of the Russian state on the western border.

Among the ancient cities of the Smolensk region, Dorogobuzh holds a place of honor. The first mention of him is noted in the letter of the Smolensk prince Rostislav (1150): “And Dorogobuzh has three short ruts, and hryvnia honors, and five foxes.” Based on the content of this document, we can conclude that already in the middleXIIcentury there was a city called Dorogobuzh, which, being dependent on Smolensk, paid him a certain tribute in hryvnia, in five fox skins, as well as a contribution from three small gons - sections of rivers where beavers and otters were found.

I chose this topic because at the moment it is quite relevant. If you look at the age of our city, and look at its small size, you involuntarily begin to think that this is simply not fair. Indeed, in other countries, cities with such an age are simply tourist centers, the state takes care of them, and the people themselves maintain cleanliness and order in them. And in our state, unfortunately, they do not care about cities that deserve special attention. It's a shame to see when cities, centuries younger than ours, develop at such a rate that they can compete in development with Moscow, St. Petersburg and many of the largest cities in Russia.

The purpose of my work is to prove the attractiveness of Dorogobuzh and its environs for tourists.

History reference

Dorogobuzh was first mentioned in the Letter of the Prince of Smolensk Rostislav in 1150. At the endXII– beginningXIVcenturies Dorogobuzh was the center of the specific principality. ATXVcentury captured by Lithuania, then Poland. It finally went to Russia under the Andrusov Treaty in 1667. Since 1708, Dorogobuzh became a specific city of the Smolensk province.

In the past, the city was a significant trade and craft center. They traded mainly products of animal origin (lard, leather, cattle), as well as hemp, flax, bread and timber. With the construction of railways, Dorogobuzh found itself on the side of the main trade routes, and its development slowed down. During the years of Soviet power, the Dorogobuzh region became of agricultural origin.

Monuments of historical heritage remained on the territory of Dorogobuzh: Val-Detinets - a monumentXIIcentury; monument in honor of the centenary of the Patriotic War of 1812; memorial complex about the wars of the Great Patriotic War; Holy Trinity Gerasimo-Boldinsky Monastery, founded in 1530, since 1991. Operating, the largest monastery in the Smolensk region; Church of Peter and Paul, 1835, active since 1998; city ​​estate of merchants Sveshnikovs, 2nd halfXIXin.; complex of buildings of the Zemstvo hospital, the beginningXXin.; partially preserved Spiritual Temple, beginningXYIIIc., since 1998 the buildings have been used by the St. Demetrius Convent; a unique architectural and park complex - the Baryshnikovs' estate in the village of Aleksino,XYII- XIXcenturies, architects M. Kazakov, D. Gilardi; Odigitrievsky temple in the village of Rekty,XIXin.; the wooden manor house of princes Dolgorukov in the village of Chamovo; the partially preserved architectural and park ensemble of the Baryshnikov estate in the village of Brazhino; Salt barn (erroneously called the master),XYIIcentury, restored for use as a regional museum of history and local lore.

Dorogobuzh is one of the oldest cities in the Smolensk region. It was founded by the Smolensk prince Rostislav in the middleXIIcentury. Dorogobuzh arose as a fortress defending the lands of the Smolensk principality from the east of the strengthened Rostov-Suzdal principality, which was ruled by the ambitious Yuri Dolgoruky. Exceptmoreover, Dorogobuzhbecame the administrative center of the whole district, which allowed the Smolensk princes to control the local population and collect taxes from it. It was also important that the city was located on busy trade routes.

Initially, Dorogobuzh was ruled, probably, by the governor of the Smolensk prince. The center of the city was occupied by a wooden fortress, its main part was located on the citadel (it is called Val in Dorogobuzh). There was also the main temple of the city - the cathedral, presumably made of stone, bearing the name of the Holy Great Martyrs Princes Boris and Gleb. This pre-Mongolian temple, apparently, was destroyed in antiquity, in the 16th century a wooden church stood in its place. Around the fortress there was a settlement where the trade and craft population lived.

Probably, from the middle of the 13th century, Dorogobuzh and Vyazma form a single Vyazemsko-Dorogobuzh principality, which was an integral part of the Smolensk land and was ruled in turn by princes from the Smolensk princely family. The Mongol-Tatar invasion did not directly affect Dorogobuzh. In general, the history of Dorogobuzh is a history of hard trials, ruin and a new revival. Dorogobuzh has repeatedly suffered from wars, fires, and epidemics.

In the 14th century, the Dorogobuzh region, like the entire Smolensk region, found itself between two powerful states - the Moscow and Lithuanian principalities. Ultimately, Lithuania won the struggle for the Smolensk lands, and at the beginning of the 15th century, the Dorogobuzh land became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Russia. In the 1430s. Dorogobuzh belonged to Prince Andrei Dmitrievich from the family of Tver princes, but after 1440 the city was transferred to the possession of the noble Lithuanian boyars Gashtolds.

Moscow, meanwhile, did not stop trying to seize the Smolensk lands. In 1493, Moscow troops took Vyazma. After a short truce, the war continued, and in June 1500 the Muscovite army captured Dorogobuzh. To stop the advance of the Moscow troops, the Grand Duke of Lithuania Alexander collected the last reserves and sent them to Dorogobuzh. The decisive battle took place near the Vedrosha River on July 14, 1500 (near the village of Aleksino). The Moscow army outnumbered the Lithuanian army and won. Since that time, Dorogobuzh became part of the Moscow state. The military campaigns of the Moscow troops against Lithuania and the response of the Lithuanians continued for more than 30 years, which ruined the Dorogobuzh region a lot. So in 1508, during the attack of the Lithuanians, Dorogobuzh was burned down. The Grand Duke of Moscow Vasily III ordered the construction of a new wooden fortress in Dorogobuzh, and for this he sent Italian masters Bartholomew and Mastrobon (master Bon) from Moscow.

By the end of the 16th century, Dorogobuzh had recovered from past shocks. It was famous for trading in hemp, flax, honey, lard, meat, and leather. Three monasteries were founded in the city: Dmitrovsky (on Dmitrovsky Val), Arkhangelsky (beyond the Ordyshka River), Intercession for Women (near the Cross). In addition, the city had courtyards of the Boldinsky and Polyanovsky monasteries. Foreign ambassadors traveled to Moscow through Dorogobuzh, and it was here that the tsar's envoys met them.

At the beginning of the 17th century, the Time of Troubles shook Russia. Dorogobuzh was at the center of events. The city repeatedly passed from hand to hand of the warring parties. Battles, military campaigns, completely ruined the Dorogobuzh land. In 1614, the governor of Dorogobuzh, N. Likharev, wrote to Moscow that “after the Polish devastation, only 10 people remained in the city, and the Cossacks own the district.” I must say that many Dorogobuzh residents showed patriotism, bravely fighting against the Polish invaders. Dorogobuzh nobles, gunners, part of the townspeople participated in the twenty-month heroic defense of Smolensk from the Poles, and later many Dorogobuzh nobles formed the core of the militia of K. Minin and D. Pozharsky, who liberated Moscow from the Poles.

In 1617 Dorogobuzh was finally captured by the Poles. In 1632-1634. Russia tried to return the lost Smolensk lands. During the Smolensk War, Dorogobuzh became the main stronghold of the Russian offensive against Smolensk. However, this war ended unsuccessfully for Russia, and Dorogobuzh was again returned to Poland. Only in 1654 Dorogobuzh, along with other Smolensk lands, was conquered by Russia from Poland. The recovery period has begun again. The urban population, townspeople, are actively engaged in trade, the most enterprising trade with the ports of Riga, Arkhangelsk and St. Petersburg, from where Russian goods are transported to other countries.

ATXVIIIcentury, fires became a great misfortune for the city. In 1724 there was the first big fire, "from which the Dorogobuzh philistinism came to extreme ruin." At the same time, part of the wooden fortress burned down. By the middle of the 18th century, it was probably already dismantled due to its dilapidation and uselessness. In 1763, the city was devastated by another fire, during which the entire central part of it burned out, restoration continued until the beginning of the 19th century. The city development project was drawn up by the architect Prince N. Meshchersky, a student of the famous Russian architect D.V. Ukhtomsky. He also supervised the construction and became the first Dorogobuzh mayor in 1776During this time, most of the stone churches, a number of commercial and administrative buildings were built in the city.

During the Patriotic War of 1812, the Dorogobuzh land again found itself in the path of the enemy. In front of Dorogobuzh, the commanders of the Russian armies M.B. Barclay de Tolly and P.I. Bagration planned to give the French a general battle,but the position chosen by the staff officers was considered unsatisfactory, and our troops left the city. The damage from the war was enormous, two-thirds of the city burned out. A new period of renaissance has begun.

In the middle of the 19th century, Dorogobuzh was an ordinary provincial town. Local merchants, mostly poor, traded (mainly with the port of Riga) bread, hemp, flaxseed and hemp. In addition, there was a lively trade in horses and cattle in the city. From 1 to 4 fairs were held annually. The city center was built up with stone merchant houses. The city was decorated with 6 large stone parish churches (there were 12 churches in the city). At the end of the 19th century, there were 6.5 thousand inhabitants in Dorogobuzh. In 1861, the first women's school in the province appeared in the city, which was later transformed into a women's gymnasium.

The construction of the railway away from Dorogobuzh prevented the industrial development of the city. There were mainly small processing enterprises here. Zemstvo (local self-government bodies) made a huge contribution to the economic and cultural prosperity of the Dorogobuzh region. It was the Zemstvo that built a stone hospital complex on Dmitrovsky Val at the beginning of the 20th century. Thanks to the zemstvo, a telephone appeared in Dorogobuzh in 1911. Zemstvo was very much engaged in road construction, development of education, medicine, economy, culture throughout the county. Prominent county and provincial zemstvo figures were Prince V.M.Urusov and A.M. Tukhachevsky. The city authorities also contributed to the development of the city, but they were more conservative than the Zemstvo. Nevertheless, it is impossible not to note the activities of the mayor D.I. Sveshnikov, who held this position from the beginning of the 1870s. until the revolution of 1917.

On the eve of the revolution in Dorogobuzh there were male and female gymnasiums, a city school, a vocational school, a bank, two cinemas, two libraries, two pharmacies, and an excellent city hospital. A number of charitable and public organizations operated in the city.

The period of calm development of the city was interrupted by the First World War, revolution, civil war. The Soviet period in the history of Dorogobuzh, as well as the entire country, is notable for its inconsistency. On the one hand, a power plant was built in the city, a bridge across the Dnieper was built, a railway line was built, a newspaper began to be published (since 1917), an excellent local history museum was opened (1919), pedagogical and veterinary technical schools (1930), a medical school ( 1936), and, on the other hand, in the 1930s, some of the residents of the Road Road were subjected to political repression, including the best doctors, teachers, and management workers. In those same years, almost all churches were closed, most of the bell towers were dismantled.

A terrible blow was dealt to the city by the devastating invasion of the Nazi invaders. During the Great Patriotic War, Dorogobuzh remained faithful to its heroic traditions; the famous partisan detachments "Grandfather", "Hurricane", "Thirteen" and others. On February 15, 1942, the partisans liberated Dorogobuzh and the entire region from the enemy. The city became the center of a vast partisan region. Together with the partisans, the cavalry corps of P.A. Belov and paratroopers acted behind enemy lines. Almost 4 months Dorogobuzh and the territory adjacent to it were in the hands of the partisans. Only by transferring significant reinforcements, in June 1942, the Nazis were able to recapture the city.

During the war years, the city was completely destroyed. By the time Dorogobuzh was liberated by Soviet troops (September 1, 1943), 64 buildings remained in it, which could be restored, the rest were a pile of ruins and ashes. The historical appearance of the city has almost disappeared. During the years of the war, many Dorogobuzh residents died, including at the hands of the squad's punishers V.A. Bishler, who operated in the city and the region.

At the end of the 50s, the rebirth of the ancient Dorogobuzh region began, as it were, from an agrarian to an industrial one. After the construction of the Dorogobuzhskaya GRES, the Dorogobuzhsky industrial hub appears. A nitrogen fertilizer plant, a boiler plant, and a cardboard-ruberoid plant are being built. In the early 1980s, the construction of a modern microdistrict began in Dorogobuzh, which gave new life to the old city of Dorogobuzh.

Name history

There are many versions about the origin of the name of the city of Dorogobuzh. All of them have a different degree of plausibility, the verification of the version's reliability can only pass when considering them in the historical summary of the era of the city's appearance.

A folk legend says that in ancient times, near the main road, a robber lived on the mountain, who robbed travelers. They called him Buzh, from him the mountain began to be called that. The city was named Dorogobuzh, i.e. "Road to Buzh". The robbery-mythological version is funny, but has nothing to do with historical truth.

Folk memory is short for more than a century, and the forgotten is often tried to be explained by robbery romance and treasures. Inspection of the settlement Buzh showed that this is an archaeological monument of the early iron man and in the Slavic time it was not inhabited. The versions of toponomists (specialists in names) are interesting. Smolensk Dorogobuzh was preceded by the city of Dorogobuzh in Volyn (known fromXIcentury), the population of which at that time was called "dorogobudtsy". The above gives the right to associate the name of the city with the word "budali", i.e. build. Some believe that the name originated from the name "Dorogobud" (ie road builders), others - that the inhabitants of the city were involved in the construction of roads.

We must say that inXI- XIIFor centuries, roads developed spontaneously, there was no specialty in road construction, orderly construction, and road maintenance did not exist. Some toponymic statements suggest that the name "Dorogobuzh" could have arisen on local Smolensk soil. Before the Slavs, vast areas, including Belarus and the Smolensk region, were inhabited by the ancient Balts (relatives of Lithuanians, Latvians, Prussians ...). It is assumed that they left names close to the name of the city: the Dorogobuzh River, the city of Dorogochin, the village of Derebuzh and others in Western Russian lands. It is also claimed that in the Lithuanian language "buzh" means forest. The version is extremely interesting, but the historical context testifies in favor of not a local, but a foreign origin of the name and its transfer to Smolensk soil.

Historians believe that Smolensk Dorogobuzh with the same name is preceded by a city in Volyn. In those lands, Prince Izyaslav, the elder brother of the Smolensk prince Rostislav, ruled. Rostislav, founding a new city, gave him the name of one of the cities of his elder brother. By this time, there was already a practice among the princes of the northern lands, when founding new cities, to give them the names of southern Russian cities (for example, Pereslavl, Zvenigorod, Starodub ...). In ancient times, there was a southern migration route from the southern Russian lands along the Dnieper, then along the Dnieper, then along the portage near Dorogobuzh to the Ugra and further to the Oka to the interfluve of the Volga and Oka. It can be assumed that the city was founded and given its name by settlers. But a more promising version is that the city was founded by the will of the Smolensk prince as a stronghold of the military-administrative force. During excavations in Dorogobuzh, objects characteristic of the second half are foundXII- XIIIcenturies. The letter “On suburbs and honor”, ​​where Smolensk Dorogobuzh was first named, is dated by researchers within the framework of 1150-1218. In 1147 an event occurred that could prompt the prince of Smolensk Rostislav to lay the city. Then the prince from the Chernigov-northern lands Svyatoslav Olgovich, an ally of the Rostov-Suzdal prince Yuri Dolgoruky, plundered and devastated the Smolensk lands in the upper reaches of the Ugra, withXIcenturies already under the rule of the Smolensk prince. Soon, apparently, Yelnya and Dorogobuzh were founded to defend the outlying lands and control the portage.

The very word "Dorogobuzh" is two-part. Its first part is Slavic and needs no translation. The second part, "buzh", apparently, was formed from the name of the river Bug by means of consonantism. Volyn Dorogobuzh is located near the Bug River, Slavs of the Buzhan tribal union lived on the Bug and the city of Buzhesk was located. Together, the name of the city should be understood as "the road to the Bug".

There are other no less ancient names in the vicinity of modern Dorogobuzh. Toponymists often find echoes of ancient, extinct languages ​​in river names. In Dorogobuzh, the right tributary of the Dnieper is the Demidovka River, next to it is Lake Karuta. The first of them is formed from a calendar name, the second is of Slavic origin, goes back to the word “trough” known to us and in popular names means “an elongated lake formed in the old riverbed”. The names of the left-bank rivers of pre-Slavic origin, the Ordyshka River (in the old days Vordysh) has a name that goes back to the Finnish "vara / vuori" - mountain / mountains, its left tributary is the Holy Stream, also a name that can be translated from the Baltic languages ​​(lit. "dauburis") "-" a depression surrounded by mountains"). The Balts and Slavs have a lot in common in the language, so the Baltic name has a parallel in the Old Slavic: "wilds / wilds" - dense forest, gorge, moat, stream in the gorge. The foreign-language etymology is confirmed by the fact that the Ordyshka and the Debrya really flow between the Salton hills, starting from a spring into the waters. These names came to us from the ancient Finno-Ugric peoples and Balts, who preceded the Slavs in the Smolensk region.

Historical information about the battle of Vedorsh

The Battle of Vedrosh, which took place in 1500 near the modern village of Aleksino in the Dorogobuzh region, is a bright page in the history of Russian statehood. This is one of the largest battles of the Moscow armyXV- XVIcenturiesand one of the most brilliant victories of the young Russian state. The Vedrosh battle occupies a special place in the history of the Smolensk land. In its medieval history, there is no more significant and more glorious battle than the bloody slaughter near the ancient village of Vedroshi. It became a prologue to the entry of Smolensk into the Muscovite state, determined the historical fate of the Smolensk region for the next centuries.

By 1500, Smolensk land had been part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Russia for about a century. For two centuries between Moscow and Lithuania there was a struggle for leadership in collecting Russian lands. Moscow united the eastern Russian lands, and Lithuania united the western Russian lands. The ever-strengthening Grand Duchy of Moscow intensified its pressure on Lithuania, seeking to include the original Russian lands of the Smolensk region.

In 1500, the Grand Duke of Moscow and All Russia IvanIIIstarted a war against the Lithuanian-Russian state. The reason for its beginning was the oppression of the Orthodox in Lithuania. In June, Dorogobuzh was taken by Moscow troops. Further, it was planned to capture Yelnya and Roslavl, for which the army recruited in the Tver land was sent. The new Moscow army was led by Daniil Shchenya. In response, the Grand Duke of Lithuania Alexander sent an army led by Hetman Prince Konstantin Ostrozhsky. So two outstanding commanders of those times met face to face.

Hetman Konstantin Ostrozhsky was the most brilliant Lithuanian commander, who gained fame in three dozen battles with Tatar and Moscow troops. He was distinguished by cold calculation and resolute courage, he hit his opponents with a swift onslaught.

Daniil Shchenya - the most talented commander of the Moscow principality, the largest statesman, the closest associate of the Grand Dukes IvanIIIand VasilyIII. For more than 20 years, Schenya's military activity was connected with the Smolensk land. He commanded the Moscow troops that conquered Vyazma and Smolensk from Lithuania. It was he who took the oath of allegiance to the Grand Duke of Moscow from the Smolensk people in 1514.

Shchenya's army advanced along the Vyazma-Yelnya road and stopped at the village of Vedroshi (now the southwestern outskirts of the village of Aleksina) for the final gathering of governors. Hetman Prince, who was in Smolensk. K. Ostrozhsky, having received news of the gathering of the Russian-Moscow troops at Vedrosha, came out to meet them. Bypassing Yelnya "by the forest and evil mud", the Lithuanian army secretly, with a quick march, approached the village of Vedroshi, and then, unexpectedly leaving the forest on the Vedrosh field, attacked the advanced Moscow regiment. The fierce battle turned into heavy losses on both sides. Muscovites were forced to retreat across the Ryasna River to the main forces.

The next day, July 14, the main stage of the battle began. Konstantin Ostrozhsky, assuming the numerical superiority of the Moscow army, sought to compensate for it with speed and onslaught. Without waiting for a long time, the Lithuanians built a bridge across the Ryasna and moved to the Moscow regiments. The advanced Moscow units, fighting, retreated to the village of Mitkovo, where a large regiment was stationed. The Moscow governors, assessing the strength of the enemy and seeing their numerical advantage, gave the order to go on a counterattack. A bloody battle unfolded on the Mitkovo field, which lasted 6 hours. The chronicler conveys the fierceness of the battle with the words: “and along the lands, like a river, the blood flows, the horse does not jump in the corpse.”

Finally, Lithuanian resistance was overcome and the Lithuanian army fled. In the meantime, in the rear of the retreating, a Moscow detachment, sent in advance by swamps and forests, appeared, which destroyed the bridge across the Ryasna. The flight of the Lithuanian troops from the battlefield ended in complete defeat. Most of the Litvins fell in battle, drowned or were taken prisoner. According to the most reliable information, at least 5 thousand of the approximately 10,000-strong army of Hetman Ostrozhsky were killed, at least 500 people were captured. Prince K. Ostrozhsky himself and a number of senior Lithuanian military leaders were captured.

The Battle of Vedrosh brought the Russian-Moscow army a brilliant victory and took its rightful place among the victories of the Russian army. As a result of this victory, the eastern Smolensk region was annexed to the Muscovite state, and Dorogobuzh was turned into a springboard for further advance to Smolensk. Thus, a single Russian state was born on the battlefields, its power and military prowess were strengthened.

The battlefield of Vedroshka is the field of our memory. Respect for the feats of arms of the ancestors is respect for one's Fatherland, education of citizenship and patriotism. We are experiencing the era of impoverishment of these spiritual values ​​today. The prosperity of Russia cannot happen without the revival of the historical memory of present generations.

Dorogobuzh residents at the construction of the Smolensk fortress wall

400 years ago, the construction of the grandiose defensive structure of the Russian state - the Smolensk fortress wall - was completed. She became a shield on the western borders of the Russian land, protecting the path to the ancient capital - Moscow - from enemies. All of Russia participated in the construction of the Smolensk fortress wall. The contribution to this most important state affair is also great.

One of the leaders in the construction of the Smolensk fortress wall was the chosen nobleman from Dorogobuzh, Prince V.A. Zvenigorodsky. He owned a vast estate in the Dorogobuzh district, which included such now famous villages as Lukty, Brazhino, Knyashchina, Elovka. Moreover, apparently, Knyashchina got its name from the princely title of the Zvenigorodskys.

In 1601, another elected nobleman from Dorogobuzh, Grigory Grigoryevich Pushkin, nicknamed Sulemasha, was appointed head of the construction of the fortress. He was the cousin-nephew of Semyon Mikhailovich Pushkin, the direct ancestor of the great Russian poet Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin. Grigory Pushkin owned the village of Pushkino with the surrounding villages in the Dorogobuzh district.

The city master, who directly designed and erected the Smolensk fortress wall, was the famous architect Fyodor Kon. He is known as a contributor to the Boldin Monastery and, according to the well-known architect-restorer and connoisseur of Russian architecture P.D. Baranovsky, is its builder.

The participation of the inhabitants of the Dorogobuzh district in the construction of the Smolensk fortress wall was expressed in the delivery of stone and lime, which was taken in Belsky district. This is known from the income-expenditure books of the Boldin Monastery. Almost certainly a lot of Dorogobuzh residents were directly involved in construction work.

The Smolensk fortress wall was built on the eve of the Time of Troubles. In 1609-1611. Smolensk withstood a 20-month siege of the Polish army, thereby preventing the campaign of King SigismundIIIto Moscow. The heroic defense of the Smolensk fortress, in which many Dorogobuzh residents took part, actually saved the independence of the Russian state.

The construction of such a large-scale structure became possible only with the combined efforts of the entire Russian people, the exertion of all the might of the Russian state. This example of 4 centuries ago shows us the only possible way to solve national problems. Only unity and love for the Fatherland can help us overcome all the difficult trials that befall our Motherland.

Streets of Dorogobuzh centuries ago and today

If we compare the streets of the modern city of Dorogobuzh and the old ones, then we can easily find many differences, we can easily determine in what period our city developed ...

Let's look, for example, at the general view of the city of Dorogobuzh centuries ago. We can immediately see a lot of churches towering above the river, neat houses standing on the very bank of the river. And let's take a look at our city now, let's just take our native microdistrict, we see dull, same-type buildings, we can see only one church, and that was built very recently ... only after looking at two photographs can we say in what period our city developed.

Let's look at the photo of St. Moscow: neat clean roads, packed to overflowing with people. Now this street is called the street them. Karl Marx, we can all imagine it, often non-working traffic lights, anyhow what roads ... this is another confirmation that in the pre-Soviet period Dorogobuzh developed much better.

Consider one more photo: the house of the merchants Sveshnikovs, in the pre-revolutionary period we can see a neat building, with a well-groomed appearance, many people, passing by, admired it. And let's take a look at this building at the present time: broken glass, broken bricks, absolutely not well-groomed yard near the building, and in the backyard there is just a garbage dump. This house did not become an ornament of our city, but simply another proof that our state does not follow small towns with a great history. The last of the Sveshnikov merchants was detained in Dorogobuzh in 1939. by decision of the Smolensk court was sentenced to death.

We can see another photo, where, like nowhere else, we can see what happened to our city after the revolution. This is a photograph of the church, unfortunately, with the name not preserved. We see that this church at one time was very visited, it is well-groomed, beautifully built, located on a very convenient section of the road. Unfortunately, nothing remains of this church until our time, only a pile of stones and just a garbage dump behind them.

But in our city, things didn’t always get worse, if we look at the monument in honor of the 100th anniversary of the victory over Napoleon, we can see that the interior around it has changed for the better. Another monument was built next to it in honor of the 20th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet people over the Nazi invaders.

In addition to the Victory Wall on the territory of Dorogobuzh, there is also the Dmitrievsky Wall. At the moment, there is a nunnery on Dmitrievsky Val.

Nineteen kilometers from Dorogobuzh, along the Old Smolensk road, there is the village of Boldino. At the beginningXVIcentury, the monk Gerasim, nicknamed Boldinsky, founded a skete here, which became the beginning of the Boldinsky Monastery, famous throughout Russia. In 1923, an amazing find was discovered in the Swedish archives: the income and expense books of the Boldin Monastery. Thanks to these books, although indirectly, the long-standing assumption about the author of the complex of monastic buildings was confirmed. They were Fedor Savelyevich Kon. Erected here: the cathedral, the bell tower and the refectory were among the best buildings of the Moscow state. All buildings were surrounded by a fortress wall about a kilometer long with corner towers and watchtowers. Part of the wall with a length of 800 meters with a corner tower has survived to this day. The rest of the buildings were blown up by the Nazis in 1943 as revenge on the partisans (here for a long time was the headquarters of the partisans of the formations of this region of the Smolensk region).

Conclusion

Dorogobuzh is an ancient Russian city with a rich and interesting history. In different periods of its existence, it belonged to either the Moscow or the Lithuanian state. In many countries of the world, such a city could become a tourist center. Unfortunately, our small ancient city is deprived of such an opportunity due to the inattention of the authorities. Our city lacks only a few things to attract tourists, to put things in order in the city, to restore old buildings, not to forget its history and try to make sure that all of Russia recognizes it.

After the arguments I have given and the information I have said, one can come to the conclusion that at present our state does not care too much about its “elders” cities, as I already said that in Europe and many other countries, cities with such an age are simply the property of the country .

Bibliography

Prokhorov V.A., Shorin Yu.N. Dorogobuzh antiquity. (Collection of essaysXIXcentury about Dorogobuzh. ReleaseI). - Smolensk regional book publishing house "Smyadyn", 2000

Prokhorov V.A., Shorin Yu.N. Dorogobuzh antiquity. ReleaseII. From the history of the Dorogobuzh region. Digest of articles. - Smolensk regional book publishing house "Smyadyn", 2001

Pastukhova Z.I.. In the Smolensk region. - Moscow "Art", 1985

Makhotin B.A. To living sources. - Smolensk: Moscow Worker, 1989

The city of Smolensk is the regional center of the Smolensk region. The population is 356,000 people. The city is located in the western part of Russia. The distance from Moscow to Smolensk is 400 kilometers.

Smolensk - ancient, located on the Dnieper River. Since ancient times, representatives of the Slavic tribes - Smolensk - lived here. This Slavic tribe was lucky, the city, which was located on the rivers, was doomed to wealth. Trade here was brisk. Merchant ships that came from one river were dragged overland to another, thus connecting the most diverse cultures.

So in Byzantium, for example, Smolensk was very famous. The Byzantines considered it a rich and large city. Remember Askold and Dir? Varangians who came to Russia, together with Rurik. So, when they sailed along the Dnieper with a squad, they did not dare to take Smolensk, and captured the less protected Kyiv.

In 882, Prince Oleg left Novgorod and sailed along the Dnieper towards Kyiv. On the way, he subjugated the cities that came across to him along the way. Smolensk was no exception, and in 990 the inhabitants of the city were baptized.

When Vladimir the Red Sun died, strife began in Russia. So Svyatopolk killed his brother Boris. Prince Gleb, who ruled upon learning of the death of his brother, rushed to Kyiv. On the way, he was overtaken by the killers of Svyatopolk. Gleb could resist his brother's detachments, but did not want to. The prince did not want to shed brotherly blood. Gleb's team succumbed to his mood, as a result, she became completely shy. Prince Gleb was hacked to death by his own cook, by order of Svyatopolk's people.

Four years passed, and Gleb's brother was able to find his body. The body turned out to be incorruptible, many miracles and healings took place on it. On the site of the murder of Gleb, the Borisoglebsky Monastery was erected.

In 1238, the Tatar-Mongol hordes of Batu organized another campaign against Russia. Batu's troops were approaching Smolensk. The townspeople were unaware of the danger that threatened them. They say that one of the inhabitants of Smolensk, by the name of Mercury, fervently prayed in the Assumption Cathedral in front of the icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria. Suddenly, Mercury heard a voice that said that there were hordes of enemies not far from Smolensk. The Mother of God, promising her help, ordered Mercury to go out at night and attack Batu's troops. Mercury did not disobey and, going out at night, killed many Tatar-Mongols. Early in the morning, Batu's army retreated. Mercury, who accepted death, was canonized as a saint. Smolensk, on the other hand, escaped ruin, and submitted to the khan only in 1274.

In 1404 Lithuanians attacked the city of Smolensk. The city was under siege for three months. Prince Smolensky Yuri decided to go to Moscow for help. Smolensk was surrendered by traitors. For 110 years, the ancient Russian city was under the rule of Lithuania. The Smolensk clergy, however, continued to be under the jurisdiction of the Moscow metropolitan. The population felt a spiritual connection with the rest of the Russian people. Soon, the Catholics of Lithuania began to oppress the Orthodox inhabitants in every possible way. The persecution of the Orthodox became an excuse for Moscow to go to war for Smolensk. So the city again became part of the Russian state. It happened in 1514.

In 1593, the construction of the Smolensk fortress began. Until that moment, the city was surrounded only by an oak wall. The city was located on the western borders of Russia, and its proximity to Poland and Lithuania simply obligated to turn the city into an impregnable fortress. What was done, the construction ended in 1602. During the Time of Troubles, Smolensk had to hold an almost two-year siege of the Polish troops. Unfortunately, the traitors who participated in the construction of the fortress handed over the weaknesses in the wall to the Poles. Polish invaders broke into the city. The streets of Smolensk have become a battlefield. There were fights on every street. The townspeople, who could not hold weapons in their hands, locked themselves in the Assumption Cathedral, built back in 1103. When the Poles began to storm the cathedral, the inhabitants found gunpowder in the cellars. The cathedral was blown up. The Poles were horrified by what they saw. For 43 years the city was in the power of the Poles. In 1654, Smolensk returned to the Russian state.

In 1812, the inhabitants had a hard time. Napoleon's troops, entering the Russian land, immediately found themselves near Smolensk. As a result of long battles, the Russian army managed to gain time. This is a considerable merit of the general, Dokhturov, Neversky. The heroic defense of the inhabitants did not allow Napoleon to break into the Russian Empire with lightning speed. The retreat route of Napoleon's troops again lay through Smolensk. The city had a hard time in years. After the invasion of Napoleon, the population of the city was only 6,000 people. The city was in decline. Russian emperors did a lot to restore Smolensk after the war.

The city remembers its heroes. On Dzerzhinskaya street, there is a square in memory of heroes. In this square there are busts of the heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812, and a monument with the inscription "Grateful Russia - to the heroes of 1812".

Smolensk today is a developed industrial center. On the territory of the city there are such factories as: "Izmeritel", "Iceberg", "Iskra", "Crystal", "Sharm", and others. The city actively trades in manufactured products with the neighboring, friendly state of Belarus.

What can you see in Smolensk? The city itself is a historical and cultural monument of Russian history. How many have seen these walls. Unfortunately, due to frequent enemy raids, many sights have not been preserved. While on a tourist trip in Smolensk, be sure to visit the temples of the city: the Church of Peter and Paul, the Church of Michael the Archangel, the Church of St. John the Theologian.

As in any old Russian city, there are many monasteries here, be sure to visit the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Avraamiev Monastery for Men. Do not ignore the Assumption Cathedral, the one that was blown up by the townspeople during the Polish intervention. Today it has been restored. It is also worth visiting the Talashkino Museum, which contains various paintings and antiques. There is also an Art Gallery in Smolensk, where a collection of paintings by Russian and foreign artists is presented. You can just walk around the city and enjoy it. Walk along the central streets, where old buildings have been preserved, there are shops and food outlets. The Smolenskoye Poozerye park is located in the Smolensk region. Here are the cleanest lakes and beautiful nature. In the park, there is also a manor.

monument to the heroes of the war of 1812 photo

The city of Smolensk is very hospitable. The people here are kind and intelligent. It is felt that the border is not far away, there are many citizens of Belarus in Smolensk.

Hotels in Smolensk: "Patriot" (on Kirov Street), "Manor" (Bakunin Street), "Smolensk" (Glinka Street), "New Hotel" (Gubenko Street), "Central" (Lenin Street), " Medlen (Rumyantsev St.), Rossiya (Dzerzhinsky St.).

Already many hundreds of years ago, the trade route “from the Varangians to the Greeks” passed here - the main artery of the Slavic peoples, which, linking north with south, crossed here with roads leading from west to east. In the 9th century Smolensk was the center of the region, stretching from Novgorod in the north to Kyiv in the south, from Polotsk in the west and to Suzdal in the east.

The Smolensk Region is a geographically, historically, culturally and economically unique region.

Already many hundreds of years ago, the trade route “from the Varangians to the Greeks” passed here - the main artery of the Slavic peoples, which, linking north with south, crossed here with roads leading from west to east. In the 9th century Smolensk was the center of the region, stretching from Novgorod in the north to Kyiv in the south, from Polotsk in the west and to Suzdal in the east.

The heyday of the Smolensk principality falls on the XII century. At this time, monumental construction began, temples were erected, which became the pride of Russian architecture. The Smolensk Principality has 46 cities, 39 of them have fortifications ...

For a whole century, the Smolensk land flourished. But in 1230, a terrible pestilence devastated her. This was followed by the invasion of Batu into Russia, the aggression of Lithuania ... The Mongols, having reached the walls of Smolensk, could not ruin it, but still the city paid tribute to them from 1274 to 1339.

In the 16th century, Smolensk land became part of a strong Russian state, however, its existence cannot be called calm. The Lithuanians, united with the Poles, do not stop trying to regain the territories they lost, the protection of which is now becoming an all-Russian task.

It was at this time that Smolensk began to be called the “key” of Moscow.

In the 18th century Smolensk received the status of a provincial city. Active construction begins, trade turnover increases. But - the year 1812 comes, and again Smolensk gets in the way of the enemy - this time the Napoleonic hordes.

After the Patriotic War of 1812, Smolensk lay in ruins for a long time. Many public and private buildings that previously adorned the city were never restored ...

In the second half of the 19th century, Smolensk became a major railway junction. This contributed to the development of trade and industry.

The city continued to develop vigorously after the October Revolution. At that time, enterprises of large-scale industry were created in Smolensk and the region - a flax mill, a machine-building plant, and many others.

Once again, peaceful development was interrupted by war. In the summer of 1941, a battle broke out on Smolensk land, as a result of which the advance of the Nazis to Moscow was delayed for two months ...

For more than two years, the Smolensk region was under occupation. The war caused great damage to the region. After the Nazi occupation in Smolensk, only 7% of the undamaged residential area remained, more than 100 industrial enterprises were destroyed. In the ruins lay Vyazma, Gzhatsk, Yelnya, Dorogobuzh, Velizh, Demidov, Dukhovshchina, Roslavl ...

Realizing the great importance of the Smolensk region for the country, in 1945 the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR included Smolensk and Vyazma among the 15 Russian cities subject to priority restoration, for which all conditions were created ...

In the shortest possible time, the area was restored. Soon the volume of industrial production exceeded the pre-war level and continued to grow every day.

In commemoration of the merits of the inhabitants of the city, Smolensk was awarded the title of Hero City. This high title he wears with honor.

Russian Civilization