A Journey to the 12th Century

Do you want to travel to the XII century? Visit the most ancient shrines of Smolensk and feel their spiritual power? Visit the courtyard of the Smolensk princes and hear fascinating stories about the formation of the Great Smolensk principality?

During the tour you will visit the Cathedral Hill. In the XI - XII centuries there was a detinets - the administrative and religious center of ancient Smolensk.
Learn the history of the formation and development of the Grand Duchy of Smolensk. Visit the farmsteads of the Smolensk princes, hear fascinating stories about their lives and activities.

You will visit three preserved pre-Mongol temples of the XII century and learn the history of their foundation and construction. All temples are unique in their own way, each has a special unique energy.

The Church of Peter and Paul is the oldest monument of stone architecture in Smolensk. It was laid down in the XII century in the reign of Rostislav Mstislavich - the grandson of Vladimir Monomakh.
The temple of Archangel Michael impresses with its grandeur, aspiration upwards, its beautiful acoustics, which are provided by voice-players. It was considered one of the most beautiful temples of Ancient Russia. Its splendor is mentioned in the Ipatiev Chronicle.

And the Church of John the Theologian was a kind of large educational center. A school was founded at the church, from the walls of which Russian writing was distributed.

You will visit the ancient area of Smyadyn, where in 1015 Prince Gleb, who became one of the first revered Orthodox saints, was killed. At the place of the murder of the prince was dug a well, the water in which, according to believers, had healing power. Here in the first half of the XII century, in honor of the holy innocent brothers, the Borisogleb monastery was founded.

On the tour you will learn about the traditions of the Smolensk architectural school and the features of temple construction. You will have the opportunity to touch the plinth, which was used for the construction of temples in Ancient Russia 800 years ago.

sightseeing