How can you find Smolensk in almost any city in the world?

I have one amazing habit: when I go on a trip to Russia or other countries, I definitely look for Smolensk there.

It may sound strange, but so far I've been able to find echoes of him or him everywhere. For example, recently I was in Tver and immediately found Smolensk Lane. Done.

Last year, I was in London and, lost during a transfer from one metro line to another, found myself at the Smolensky restaurant.

And in Istanbul, during the inspection of the famous Hagia Sophia, I looked at a mosaic on the second floor for a long time, until I realized that it depicts the Byzantine emperor Constantine IX Monomakh.

“The one who gave the icon of Odigitry to Russia, and later it became known as Smolenskaya,” I thought, and my soul became warmer.
By the way, the next task is to find the location of the former Odigon monastery in Istanbul, from where the icon originates.

A week ago, he took on a tour of Smolensk three guests from the German Hagen, sister city of Smolensk. I couldn't help but tell them about my funny tradition.

One of the guests asked me if I had been to Paris. I said no. It turned out that on the triumphal arch in the French capital Smolensk is also mentioned.

It's literally everywhere, this Smolensk.