Smolensk: A look through the centuries

Friends, I invite you on a tour of one of the most ancient and amazing cities of Russia - Smolensk!

We will get acquainted with its rich history from the IX century to the present day. We will travel through the streets, squares and parks of the city. We will see numerous historical monuments, architectural structures, learn about the secrets and legends of the ancient city.

We will start our tour with the historical center of Smolensk, Lenin Square. We will walk through the central city park, which was returned to its historical name - Lopatinsky. On the territory of the park we will get acquainted with the monuments dedicated to the Patriotic War of 1812, inspect the defensive structure - the Royal Bastion, erected by order of the Polish King Sigismund III, after the capture of the city in 1611.

Next, we will examine the Smolensk fortress wall – an outstanding military-defensive and architectural structure of the XVI – XVII centuries. You will learn the history of its creation and the heroic past.

Then our route will pass through the “Square of the Memory of Heroes”, dedicated to the soldiers-defenders of 1812 and 1941-45. We will honor their memory with a minute of silence near the Eternal Flame, which was lit by Hero of the Soviet Union M.A. Egorov in 1968.

Then we will go to one of the most important places in the history of our city – Victory Square. It was here that on September 25, 1943, the Red Banner was hoisted over the Smolensk Hotel – a symbol of the liberation of the city from the Nazi invaders.

Then our journey will continue in another favorite resting place of Smolensk in the city garden - Blognier, which was opened in the 30s of the XIX century. Now the garden bears the name of our great countryman, the founder of Russian classical music M.I. Glinka.

The final stage of our walk will be an inspection of the Cathedral Hill ensemble. We will visit the Holy Assumption Cathedral, in which there is a miraculous image of the icon of the Mother of God Odigitry.

• Excursion service on the route