Behind the powerful walls of the Smolensk Kremlin you will find beautifully designed parks, the magnificent Uspensky Cathedral, a few museums and a young generation of Smolensk who breathed new life into this ancient city. The Concert Hall is the pearl of the city, and regular concerts, as well as the annual festival, closely connect Smolensk with the live musical traditions of the past.

Smolensk is one of the oldest cities in Russia, the administrative center of the Smolensk region, which was awarded the title of "Hero City."

Content 1 Geography 2 History of Smolensk 3 How to get to Smolensk 3.1 Search for tickets to Moscow (nearest a / p to Smolensk) 4 Climate of Smolensk 5 Transport 6 Shops and souvenirs of Smolensk 7 Hotels 8 Entertainment, excursions and sightseeing of Smolensk 9 Holidays & Events 9.1 Also recommend

Geography

Located 380 km southwest of Moscow in the upper reaches of the Dnieper, Smolensk can be proud of its advantageous geographical position on its way from Moscow to the Baltic States, Belarus, and the countries of Central and Western Europe. In a word, "from the Varangians to the Greeks". According to data for 2010, 314, 5 thousand people lived in the city.

History of Smolensk

Smolensk was first mentioned in 863 as the capital of Slavic tribes of Krivichi, which became part of Kievan Rus, but after the plunder of the Tatar-Mongol army in 1237, the city moved to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Then Smolensk was captured by the Moscow principality in 1340, Lithuania - in 1408, again by Moscow - 1514, in 1611 by Poland after a 20-month siege, and finally, in 1654, was included in Russia.

In the course of two Patriotic wars - in 1812, as well as in 1941 and 1943, fierce battles were held near Smolensk. Nevertheless, most of the destroyed city was quickly restored, often the original plans were used, resulting in the city center being a harmonious integrity. The walls of the newly rebuilt city now boast beautiful towers resembling the Moscow Kremlin.

How to get to Smolensk

Smolensk is a major railway junction, located on the Moscow-Minsk-Warsaw railway, which trains from Moscow to Minsk, Kaliningrad, Brest, Warsaw, Grodno, Vilnius, Gomel, Polotsk and Prague every day. Also there is a direct train Moscow-Smolensk.

Near the railway station is the bus station, serving most of the small settlements in the Smolensk region. From here the bus goes to Moscow daily. Tickets for international routes can be purchased at window number 7. The M-1 motorway runs just 7 km from the city.

There are two airports in Smolensk: the civil Smolensk-Yuzhny, closed at the beginning of the 2000s, and Smolensk-Severny of joint basing. Currently, both airports are closed.

Climate of Smolensk

March 1, Sunday Partly cloudy, light snow +2 ° C in the afternoon 0 ° C at night ° С water	2 March, Monday Overcast, light rain +3 ° С a day -1 ° C at night ° С water	March 3, Tuesday Overcast, light rain +4 ° C in the afternoon +1 ° C at night ° С water
Smolensk weather forecast for 10 days

Average monthly temperature, ° C

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

sen

Oct

but I

Dec

in the afternoon

-6

-5

+0

+10

+17

+21

+22

+21

+16

+8

+1@@

-3

at night

-12

-eleven

-7

+1@@

+7

+11

+12

+11

+7

+2

-4

-8

The temperate continental climate in Smolensk is softened by exposure. In the city relatively moderately cold winters and warm summers. Most humid in the summer.

See also the current weather forecast in Smolensk for the coming days.

Transport

In Smolensk, there are 4 tram routes (No. 1, 2, 4, 7), two trolleybus (No. 1, 2), and 162 bus routes for passenger motor vehicles, consisting of municipal buses and private carriers - fixed-route taxis.

Shops and souvenirs of Smolensk

Great interest for tourists is represented by the production of flax: in the Middle Ages Smolensk was the regional connecting center for the production of flax, and till now one can see the amazing things made by local residents from this material.

In memory, you can buy clay bells or ceramic dishes, painted under "Khokhloma" and "Gzhel".

Hotels

Entertainment, excursions and sightseeing of Smolensk

Walking walking, you can get to know the main sights of Smolensk, because the ancient city of Krivich on the green hills has something to tell. In the Art Gallery of Smolensk you can see the works of famous artists such as Roerich and Ivanov, paintings of socialist realism, icons of the 14-18 centuries.

The majestic Assumption Cathedral towers over the historical center of the city and is visible from everywhere. The cathedral stands here since 1101, but this one was built in the late 17th - early 18th centuries. This is one of the earliest examples of the Greco-Russian revival in architecture, following the tendencies of the Europeanization of Peter the Great. The cathedral with five gilded domes once had a gilded interior, which was destroyed during the Great Patriotic War.

In the former monastery of the Holy Trinity is located a small museum of flax. Historically, the production of flax was the main industry in Smolensk, since the temperate climate favored the fertility of the local soil. There are a few exhibits, but you will be introduced to the process of making flax. In addition, you can buy original souvenirs.

One of the symbols of the city is the Smolensk fortress of the 17th century, erected around the city center. High towers of the fortress are very close to the main square. You can also take a short walk along the hills and the Dnieper.

It is worth visiting the church built 11-12 centuries, the alley of Glory, the museum "Russian Antiquities" with a large collection of works of art from different eras, the Museum of the Great Patriotic War, the Historical Museum. The Thunder Tower and the Museum of Russian Vodka are located directly in the fortress wall. We recommend you to see the museum-smithy, the Church of the Holy Spirit in Flenovo, painted by Nikolai Roerich. Well, the most curious can go on an excursion to the "bunker of Hitler" in the Red Forest.

Holidays & Events

Every year in Smolensk, the All-Russian Film Festival "Golden Phoenix" is held. In late May - early June in Smolensk, the All-Russian Glinka Music Festival is held, by the way a native of the hero city, the traditional "Glinka decade" is organized. On the central square of Smolensk, traditionally twice a year there is a fair. In addition, on the last Saturday of September, residents of Smolensk celebrate City Day.

Photo of Smolensk (32)