Sightseeing, walking tour of the historical center of Smolensk

Sightseeing walking 2-3-4 x hour tour of the historical center of Smolensk with a tour of the Lopatinsky Garden, Blognier Park, Park of Memory to Heroes, Smolensk Fortress and a story about the history of Smolensk from 863 to the present day!

Smolensk One of the oldest cities in Russia, has the title “Hero City” (since May 6, 1985), was awarded the Order of Lenin and the Order of the Patriotic War I degree, the medal “Golden Star”.

In the dated part of the “Tale of Bygone Years”, it is first mentioned under 862 as the center of the tribal union of the Krivichi. According to the Ustyuzhensky (Arkhangelogorod) vault in the record under 863, when Askold and Dir on a campaign from Novgorod to Constantinople bypassed the city, since it was strongly fortified and crowded.

In 882, the city was captured and annexed to the Old Russian state by Prince Oleg, who transferred it to Prince Igor, from whose youth power in the city was exercised by governors and squads, and general management was carried out from Kiev.

And what happened next - you will learn from a tour of the historical center of the city (Victory Park, Lopatinsky Garden, Smolensk Fortress, Blognier Park, etc.) with a story about the history of Smolensk from 863 to the present day!

2-hour walking tour

Our tour begins at the legendary bronze deer in the city park "Blogne", in 1830, converted from a parade ground, built on the orders of Catherine II, into a garden by order of Emperor Nicholas I.

The park overlooks the unique Smolensk Cathedral. On the Cathedral Hill, cultural layers of the IX century were found, Vladimir Monomakh married here, since the reign of which began the history of the icon of the Smolensk Odigetria, which, according to legend, was written by the holy evangelist Luke during the earthly life of the Blessed Virgin.

We will see the building of the former Noble Assembly and the world’s first monument to the composer M. I. Glinka, the grand opening of which took place on May 20, 1885.

Then - the building of the former Merchant Assembly with the ancient coat of arms of Smolensk, the former town hall and the mansion of the chamber-junker and mayor of Smolensk Alexander Platonovich Engelhardt, built in 1879. The house is considered the best in the Smolensk region architectural structure of the eclectic period, stylized under the baroque.

In the Park named after Turkin, we will talk about the Great Patriotic War and its terrible consequences for the Smolensk region and go to the Park of Heroes.

The visiting card of the Heroes Park is the “Monument with Eagles”, which is considered the best in Russia of those dedicated to heroes of 1812. We will pass through the Park with a story about the events of the two Patriotic Wars (1812 and 1941-45), stopping at the Eternal Flame, next to which the Smolyan M. Egorov, who hoisted the banner of Victory over the Reichstag, is buried.

Next we will find the Smolensk fortress, which is sometimes also called the Smolensk Kremlin, built in 1595-1602. At the time of its construction, all stone construction in the state was stopped.

“The Smolensk Wall will now become the necklace of all Orthodox Russia to the envy of the enemies and the pride of the Moscow state...” – Boris Godunov It is one of the most powerful fortifications of Russia and still gives the impression of a mighty stronghold, although a little less than half has survived to our time: about 3.5 km of a wall of 9 fragments and 18 towers.

Lopatinsky Garden near the fortress wall is a witness to the events of the “Time of Troubles”, the 40-year Polish occupation, the times of Peter I and the Northern War, and, of course, the defense of Smolensk in August 1812.

Monuments, cannons, the Royal Bastion, serf casemates, remembering Kochubey and Iskra - and here the amusement park, romantic arbors, a concert venue - in Smolensk, the connection of times is felt always and everywhere.

Lopatinsky Garden is one of the oldest city parks in Smolensk, a part of its rich historical and cultural heritage. It was laid in 1874 on the site of the former Royal Fortress by order of Governor Alexander Grigorievich Lopatin.

Initially, the garden was limited to the ramparts of the Royal Fortress and was planned in the landscape style, which was largely facilitated by the picturesque surrounding area and the abundance of monuments of Smolensk history: fragments of the fortress wall, defensive ramparts and entrances to the dungeons of the Royal Bastion, a monument to the defenders of Smolensk on August 4-5, 1812.

At the turn of XIX-XX centuries Lopatinsky Garden was recognized as one of the best parks in Russia. In 2013, the Central Park of Culture and Recreation “Lopatinsky Garden” turned 140 years old.

3/4 hour walking tour of the program:

“A Walk Through the Old Town” 3/4-hour walking tour of the historical center of Smolensk with a tour of Lenin Street, Lopatinsky Garden, Blognier Park, Park Memory of Heroes, Smolensk Fortress and a story about the history of the city from 862 to the present day!

The program can be supplemented with excursions:

"Golden Domes over the Dnieper" - Excursions from 2 to 5 hours (temples of the 12th century, Cathedral, monasteries, embankment, etc.).

There were also legends of the Smolensk fortress. Excursion for 2-3-4 hours (walking or by car)

"300 years of history in 2-3 hours - through the streets and streets of Smolensk"

Country excursions (Talashkino, Krasny Bor - Nest and / or Katyn)