Where to go in Smolensk: the best places

The city of Smolensk escaped the fate of the transit-transshipment point, despite its geographical position. The fact is that the city is located along the road from Moscow to Belarus and the countries of Europe. Here you can see with the naked eye independence and thoroughness, which are felt in everything.

A striking example of this is that Smolensk was one of the first cities to meet the enemy from the west and take a heavy blow to himself. This is the reason for the presence of some characteristic structures, one of which is the fortress wall. Where to go in Smolensk? How to start your journey through this wonderful city, you decide. Below are his most popular attractions.

The Smolensk fortress wall

For those who got to Smolensk, it is necessary first to visit the fortress wall, called by the local residents "Kremlin". This wall is the main attraction and pride of the city. Its construction was dated to the beginning of the 17th century. In this difficult time, the city felt the attacks and attacks from the west. The construction of the wall moved very fast, despite the length of 6.5 km and the presence of 38 towers in its construction. The nobleman Boris Godunov strictly forbade any other construction, except for the wall, until the fortification of the city is thoroughly strengthened. If the answer to the question: "Where can I go to Smolensk?" Has not yet been found, it should go to the wall, which is the pride and the symbol of the city's prowess.

Protective Strength

The first enemies who appreciated the defensive ability of the Smolensk wall were the Poles. Despite the excellent fortification qualities of this structure and the huge length (along the whole city), the enemy-minded Poles, the digging of ditches under the legendary wall, nevertheless took the city. It happened after a tedious long siege. Much less fortunate were the Swedish invaders, led by Charles XII. It was this legendary commander who almost fell into the Russian captivity. Another attack on the Smolensk fortress was from the French side in the distant 1812. But, unfortunately, the most difficult and debilitating tests suffered this fortification during the Great Patriotic War. It should be noted that, thanks to the presence of towers, combat operations were carried out from three tiers. Of the total number of towers in modern times, only 17 structures can perform their functions.

Where to go to Smolensk on the weekend? Every tourist who came to Smolensk for only a couple of days, must necessarily get acquainted with the spiritual heritage of the city.

Assumption Cathedral

According to the chronicles, the construction of the cathedral in Smolensk began in the distant 1101 year. It is fired by the order of Vladimir Monomakh. The sanctified cathedral was already in 1150 with all honors. It was this monastery that was the first stone church in the city. The shrine was a special pride of all the townspeople. According to the famous legend, during the time of the militia of Smolensk by the troops of Khan Baty, one foreigner prayed fervently at the icon of the Mother of God, and she ordered him to put on his armor and go to the camp of the horde. When, at night, a fearless warrior appeared in a Tatar town with weapons and destroyed a huge number of people, enemy troops were frightened and left Smolensk. Based on this legend, a warrior named Mercury is the embodiment of holiness, even his sandals are kept as a relic in the cathedral. Where to go in Smolensk, to be filled with healing energy and at the same time to touch the history of the city? The Assumption Cathedral is an ideal place for such a walk.

Hard times

The cloister served faithfully and faithfully to his native city for half a millennium. But, unfortunately, in 1611, during the enemy attacks of King Sigismund and his troops on the city, Russian soldiers locked themselves in the cathedral and soon blew it up. In this way courageous defenders demonstrated that it is better to die than to be imprisoned. Some time later a beautiful temple was built on the site of the ancient cathedral. It differed from others in its architecture and exterior. The built shrine had 3 portal at the entrance, a cross-domed appearance with an apse, consisting of 3 parts. Incredible beauty was the iconostasis itself, it was painted by the best masters of the legendary school of painting Andrei Rublev. The size of the temple is also impressive: the height under the dome is about 30 meters. At the end of the 18th century a beautiful bell tower was erected near the holy church, as well as an improvised extension for the clock. XX century in the history of the cathedral was marked by the construction of a chapel in honor of the church shrine. The difficult fate of Smolensk can be traced to all the wars that have touched it. But even the enemy side has always admired the unearthly beauty of the temple. According to the chronicles and eyewitness accounts, Napoleon himself, who was on his way to Moscow through Smolensk, in the distant year of 1812, took off his hat in front of the shrine. In addition, in 1941, one of the German commanders-in-chief, General Guderian, ordered his subordinates to guard this holy abode.

The garden of Blonje

One of the most interesting places in Smolensk in terms of history is the garden of Blonje. This place was founded in the beginning of the XIX century. Previously, in its place was the main square. Very interesting historical roots has the name of this garden, as its sound is similar to the French language. But scientists have proved that it has primordially Russian roots and in translation means "open terrain". In 1885 a monument to the legendary Glinka was erected here. Then in the park appeared a statue of a deer brought from Germany, made of cast bronze. Relatively recently in this park, they installed lattices and cut down almost all the ancient trees that changed the garden beyond recognition.

Lopatinsky Park

This cozy place is located in the heart of the city on the territory of the legendary fortress wall. If there was a question "Where to go with a child in Smolensk?", The best option is simply not to find. The park is a favorite place for walking all the townspeople and visitors of the city. Back in 1874, Lopatin developed a landscaped garden of unearthly beauty, which became the main part of the park. Nicholas II became one of the first visitors to Smolensk Park, who very warmly appreciated this beautiful creation. At the end of the revolutionary actions, the Bolsheviks renamed it Sobolev Park. But already in the XX century the park returned its original name. Today it is one of the business cards of the city and a wonderful place to go to Smolensk is simply necessary.

What is remarkable about the park?

The park has a rather interesting geographical location, because it is located at the intersection of four streets - Lenin, Karl Marx, Dzerzhinsky and Przhevalsky. Each of the streets mentioned above, has a huge historical value due to the presence of monuments of different times. At the end of each street there is a gate, which is the entrance to the territory of Lopatinsky Park. The territory of the park is zoned on a thematic basis. The historical part is a piece of wall, a bastion and dungeons. The entertaining element of the park consists of a variety of attractions. The recreation area is a paradise for a peaceful holiday. It includes singing fountains, a pond with waterfowl and aviaries with cute squirrels. Each of the zones deserves attention, and in tandem they give positive emotions to their visitors. Anyone can see the picturesque nature, feed the local inhabitants, ride on the catamarans along the reservoirs and arrange an unforgettable photo session surrounded by the pristine beauty of plants.

Amazing city - Smolensk. "Where to go, what to see?" - the questions asked by every tourist who visited this wonderful place. Fortunately, there are many interesting objects in Smolensk that are worth a look at.