Story. Smolensk region – living history...

The history of the city of Smolensk goes back to antiquity. Smolensk occupies an important place in the history of Rus'.
The city occupied an advantageous geographical position on the banks of the Dnieper. In the Ustyug chronicle, Smolensk is mentioned under the year 863. At that time, Smolensk was already quite a large city.

Smolensk was the center Slavic tribe Krivichi, who were famous as skilled builders and artisans. In the 9th century in Smolensk, some of the buildings were built of stone.

The ancient trade route “from the Varangians to the Greeks,” which connected the North with the Black Sea, passed through the city. Smolensk conducted extensive trade with Western countries, cities North-Eastern Rus' and countries of the East. Located at the crossroads, the city of Smolensk quickly mastered the achievements of science and culture of foreign countries and used them.

Even before the formation of Kievan Rus, Smolensk was the center of a large independent principality. Since 882, the city was ruled by the governors of the Kyiv prince, but then their own representatives of the family of Rurik, the founder, began to reign there Ancient Rus'.

In the first half of the 12th century, the city of Smolensk again became the center of an independent principality. Surrounded on three sides by enemies, the lands of the Smolensk Principality were constantly attacked. But this time was a period of political rise of Smolensk, it does not even recognize formal dependence on Kyiv, does not pay tribute, the dynasty of the Smolensk princes is strengthened here and its own diocese is established.

At the beginning of the 13th century, Smolensk surpassed all centers of Ancient Rus' in the scope of construction, and a brilliant, completely independent architectural school developed there.

Smolensk was not captured and devastated during the invasion of Batu's hordes, although it paid tribute to the khan. But another enemy stood on the threshold - Lithuania. The first Lithuanian invasions of the Smolensk lands occurred at the end of the 12th century, and after the weakening of Rus' by the Mongol-Tatar invasion, Smolensk was increasingly subject to their attacks. There was no peace in the principality itself either: throughout the 13th century there was a constant struggle for the right to reign in Smolensk. The principality began to split into fiefs, and this greatly weakened it.

The 14th century did not bring peace to Smolensk. Now Moscow and Lithuania were fighting for it, who were trying to unite the territory of the former Kievan Rus under their rule.
In 1386, the Smolensk people were defeated by the Lithuanians on the Vekhri River and began paying tribute to Lithuania. They did not violate the agreement, but Prince Vitovt again captured the city and included it in his possessions.

In 1401, a new battle took place on the Vorskla River between Prince Vitovt and the former Smolensk Prince Yuri. Victory was on the side of the Smolensk people, who with great joy opened the gates to the legitimate Russian prince, however, the joy was short-lived. Prince Yuri pursued a tough policy, and numerous reprisals against opponents, which were particularly cruel, forced the townspeople to accept power Principality of Lithuania. In 1404, Smolensk was surrendered to Vytautas without a fight and became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania for more than a hundred years. Only during the reign of Vasily III, in 1514, Smolensk became a Russian city.

Moscow tried very hard to keep Smolensk, which throughout the 16th century was a tasty morsel for Poland and Lithuania. The question of the city arose at all peace negotiations, but each time Smolensk was able to be defended and preserved as part of the Russian state. Constant threats of the capture of Smolensk forced the Moscow rulers to begin construction of a new stone fortress. In 1595, the “master of city affairs” Fyodor Kon was given a royal order to urgently go to Smolensk and begin building stone defensive structures there.

The supervision of the work was entrusted to the Tsar's brother-in-law Boris Godunov. The new fortress was built by the whole world.

Several brick factories operated in the city; in other regions of Russia, stone construction ceased at this time, and all masons were sent to Smolensk for work that should have been completed by the end of the truce with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, that is, before 1603. The new fortress, which virtually covered the entire city, was completed and illuminated in 1602. And a few years later it faced its first serious test. In 1609 - 1611, it withstood the siege of the troops of the Polish king Sigismund. Commander Shein led the defense. Only in June 1611 did the Poles manage to capture Smolensk. Once again, for several decades, Smolensk found itself part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

In 1654, Smolensk was taken by Russian troops, and it became part of Russia forever through the Treaty of Andrusovo in 1667.Smolensk recovered very slowly. As early as 1830, there were traces of undeveloped ashes. Only in the early 1830s did the construction of residential buildings begin administrative buildings and repair of the Smolensk fortress wall. The Blonier Garden appeared in the city, which became a favorite party place. In 1841, a monument to the heroes of the war of 1812 was inaugurated in Smolensk, which depicts a battle plan and indicates the number of soldiers who died in battles for the city.

Gradually, trade and crafts developed in Smolensk; in addition to bazaars, two fairs began to operate, and industrial enterprises also emerged.

The development of trade relations was facilitated by the emergence of highways passing through Smolensk, and from the second half of the 19th century century, the city became a major railway junction where the Moscow-Brest and Rigo-Orlovskaya lines converged. In terms of trade volume, the city came out on top among other cities in the province. There were more than 800 trading establishments there. Among the industries, the main ones were brick production, tanning and brewing.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Smolensk was a typical wooden city with a population of 47 thousand people.

The history of the city of Smolensk is a history of Russian valor and military glory. The fact that Smolensk is a warrior is also indicated by its coat of arms: in a silver shield there is a black cannon with a golden bird of paradise sitting on it.

Among ancient cities Russia Smolensk occupies a special place. No wonder foreigners called him "sacred city" And "the key to Moscow" . For them he was the first Russian city , the embodiment of the Russian spirit and faith.

The first dated mention of Smolensk in Ustyug Chronicle Code dates back to 863: according to the chronicler, Smolensk was then "The city is great and there are many people" . An outstanding monument of national history and culture of that era is located near Smolensk Gnezdovo burial mound - the largest archaeological site of its kind in Russia.

Originating on an ancient trade route "from the Varangians to the Greeks" (from the Baltic to the Black Sea), in the upper reaches Dnieper , Smolensk, along with Novgorod and Kyiv, was the third capital of the Old Russian state.

Smolensk had great importance for everyone Kievan Rus: he was a major point of trade and handicraft production, a military fortress. The Smolensk princes became great several times Kyiv princes. Smolensk also controlled power in Veliky Novgorod.

Since 1136 Prince Rostislav Smolensky established an independent Smolensk bishopric. According to various sources, during this period in Smolensk there were from 5 to 8 monasteries. They housed large collections of books, and chronicle . The spread of education among the population is evidenced by those found in Smolensk. birch bark letters and graffiti on the walls ancient Russian churches.

The close economic and cultural ties of Smolensk with the West are evidenced by trade agreements of the first half XIII century between Smolensk, Riga and about. Gotland.

XII century - early XIII century - heyday Smolensk Principality. In count monuments of pre-Mongol architecture the city was in third place after Kyiv and Novgorod. During the same period, Smolensk became one of outstanding centers of Orthodoxy in Ancient Rus' . The most important Orthodox shrine became Smolensk Assumption Cathedral , laid in stone Prince Vladimir Monomakh in 1101. One of the most revered icons in Rus' was the one kept in the Assumption Cathedral icon of Smolensk Mother of God Hodegetria - a copy of the ancient Byzantine image of Hodegetria, which was the main shrine of Constantinople. Name of this miraculous icon Smolenskaya in Rus' testifies to the ancient greatness of Smolensk - capital of the Grand Duchy of Smolensk.

Since the 13th century, The Principality of Smolensk was under attack their powerful neighbors: at first The Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and then the Grand Duchy of Moscow. Series conquests devastated Smolensk, the cities and villages of the Smolensk land, and caused serious damage to the cultural development of the region. Only from the middle of the 16th century did the geopolitical position of the Smolensk region become relatively stabilized: it was included in the dynamically growing Moscow state. Smolensk became the western gate on the way to the capital of Muscovite Rus'. To strengthen Russian borders in early XVII century in Smolensk is being built the largest stone fortress in the state , symbolizing the greatness and strength of Russia. "The stone necklace of all Rus'" her contemporaries called her.

But it was not only the military confrontation with leading European countries that determined the development of Smolensk. The spiritual confrontation between Orthodoxy and Catholicism was also important. At the beginning of the 17th century Smolensk is a powerful stronghold Orthodox faith on the western borders of Russia. In the city there was at least 13 large monasteries.

Age of Troubles became the most difficult test for the Russian state. Only the unity of the people and civic patriotism, first realized by Russian society, saved Russian statehood and the independence of the country. It is no coincidence that in modern Russia a new holiday was established - National Unity Day, celebrated annually November 4 as a symbol of the unity of the state and civil principles in the life of our Fatherland. Smolensk played a key role during the most difficult years of the Troubles. The legendary, heroic 20-month defense of the city 1609 - 1611 under the leadership of the governor Mikhail Shein from the army Polish king Sigismund III , destroyed the plans of this ambitious monarch to occupy the Russian throne, and gave time to unite the forces of Russian society. The Smolensk nobles refused to swear allegiance to the Polish king and became a stronghold of the 1st and 2nd zemstvo militias. Exactly Smolensk, Vyazma and Dorogobuzh nobles were the first to join the army Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, liberated Moscow from the Poles. The outstanding patriotism of the Smolensk people saved Russia and Russian statehood, but the price of this feat was extremely high. The city lay in ruins, a significant part of the inhabitants died. Smolensk and the Smolensk people sacrificed themselves in the name of saving Russia. The importance of Smolensk as the most important cultural and economic center of the country on its western borders has sharply declined.

As a result of the Deulin Truce of 1618, Smolensk remained with Poland. Only in 1654 was Smolensk returned to Russia, becoming a front-line city for many years in the long wars with Poland.

The devastating destruction of Smolensk and the Smolensk region in a long confrontation with the Catholic West led to the decline of city life. Slowly and gradually the city was revived and rebuilt.

At the beginning of the 18th century, Smolensk was one of the headquarters Peter I, from where he supervised the construction of defensive structures on the western and southwestern borders of Russia during Northern War with Sweden. It was this circumstance that predetermined the birth in 1708 Smolensk province - among the first eight Russian provinces.

Over the next century, the main parish churches were built in stone in Smolensk, including the one that was rebuilt and consecrated Holy Assumption Cathedral , many were built public buildings, a gymnasium, a commercial school, and a cadet corps were opened, the largest provincial printing house was opened, and a printed history of the city was published - one of the first such publications in Russia. This significant cultural and economic rise of the city was tragically interrupted by another grandiose invasion - an army invasion Napoleon.

The role of Smolensk in Patriotic War of 1812 cannot be overstated. It was in Smolensk that the war with Napoleon turned into the First Patriotic War for Russia. Smolensk nobles initiated the creation people's militia to repel the enemy, and the Smolensk land - a place of mass partisan movement . The defense of the city by Russian troops is one of the most heroic and tragic pages of Russian history. Burning Smolensk, in fact, was brought to the altar of the future victory of our Fatherland. It is symbolic that it was the icon of the Smolensk Mother of God Hodegetria, taken from Smolensk, that was consecrated by the Russian army before the start of Battle of Borodino , the field marshal prayed before her M.I. Kutuzov on the eve of the battle.

After graduation Patriotic War In 1812, Smolensk lay in ruins. The restoration dragged on for many decades. In the middle XIX century The first railway ran through Smolensk, which contributed to the growth industrial production. At the turn of the XIX-XX centuries. Smolensk is a well-known cultural center in the country, largely thanks to the activities of the philanthropist M.K. Tenisheva. Several were opened in the city museums , charity actively developed.

New cultural and economic rise of Smolensk occurred in the 1930s. Smolensk became the capital of a vast Western region, which united the territories of neighboring provinces. A large construction of residential and administrative buildings was carried out in the city, industrial enterprises and infrastructure facilities were erected.

Another difficult test for our country was Great Patriotic War 1941 - 1945 AND Smolensk , as in previous eras, showed a feat of self-sacrifice, courage and patriotism. In the battles on Smolensk land, the German armies suffered heavy losses and were stopped, which gave time to prepare for the defense of Moscow. During the years of occupation, Smolensk suffered enormous damage: industrial enterprises and a railway junction were destroyed, architectural monuments were turned into ruins. The restoration of the city again took decades.

On December 3, 1966, for the courage and heroism shown by the people of Smolensk during the war, and the successes achieved in restoring the city, Smolensk was awarded Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree. On September 23, 1983, the Order of Lenin was added to this award. And on May 6, 1985, Smolensk was awarded a medal "Golden Star" and awarded the title "Hero City" .

Smolensk region during Kievan Rus

The first inhabitants of the territory Smolensk region appeared about 10 thousand years ago. These were wandering hunters. They lived in birth, but in search of food they moved from place to place. In addition, they were engaged in fishing and gathering. For thousands of years, the inhabitants of the Smolensk region have gone through all the stages of evolution characteristic of humanity.
The tools of labor changed: from stone to iron and bronze. The way of life has changed. The nomadic way of life was replaced by a sedentary lifestyle, which contributed to the development of agriculture and cattle breeding. Already in the first millennium AD. on the territory of the Smolensk region there were fortified settlements (fortifications).
By the beginning of our era, feudal relations had developed.
In the IX-XIII centuries. Smolensk arose, the Smolensk Principality was formed, which became part of Kievan Rus. The time of tragic civil strife and battles with the Mongol-Tatars, the time of the development of crafts, the time of subtle diplomacy of the Smolensk princes, the time of the transformation of Smolyan from ardent pagans into Christians, the time of the construction of the first Orthodox churches.
In 1233, Batu Khan sent a large detachment to conquer Smolensk. On the way of the enemies, they encountered a large swampy swamp called Dolgomostye in the territory of the present Pochinkovsky district. There was an impenetrable forest around the swamp. Few have overcome this obstacle. The Mongol-Tatars approached the city from the Molokhov Gate. The defense of Smolensk was led by the warrior Mercury. Having defeated the Mongol-Tatars and the Molokhov Gate, he headed to Dolgomosti and defeated the Tatar detachments stationed there, killed the khan, but also died.

Smolensk region in the XIV-XVII centuries.

At the end of the 20s of the 14th century, the Smolensk prince Ivan Alexandrovich developed good relations with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Russia. He considered the Lithuanian prince Gediminas his patron. Smolensk merchants needed such relationships. The friendship of Smolensk and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Russia caused discontent between the Horde and Moscow. At the end of the 30s of the 14th century, Smolensk stopped paying tribute to the Horde. Relations with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Russia became even closer.
In 1348, Smolensk warriors, as part of the troops of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Russia, fought against German knights on the Strava River. The Polotsk and Vitebsk regiments fought there.
The battle ended unsuccessfully for the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Russia. Many Smolensk residents died in it, among them the Smolensk prince.
In 1359, Olgerd annexed Bryansk to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Russia and launched a campaign against Smolensk, annexing the Mstislavl, Roslavl and Krichev lands of the Grand Duchy of Smolensk to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Russia. An alliance agreement was concluded with the new Prince of Smolensk Svyatoslav Ivanovich.
At the end of the 60s of the 14th century, Smolensk residents took part in the campaigns of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Russia against Moscow. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Russia became one of the largest European states. Most of lands Kievan Rus became part of it. The bulk of the population were residents of White and Little Rus'.
In 1392, Vytautas became the Grand Duke of Lithuania. Vytautas's goal was to create a strong Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Russia, not inferior to Poland. To do this, it was necessary to strengthen the unity of the country by annexing all dependent lands.
In 1395, Vitovt took advantage of the fact that many Rostislavovichs came to the princely congress in Smolensk. Vitovt lured them out of the city by cunning and arrested them. Yuri managed to escape. In Smolensk, two governors were appointed instead of the prince. The Great Principality of Smolensk ceased to exist.
By this time, he had already annexed the Ryazan, Tver, Novgorod and Pskov lands to the Moscow principality. A war began with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Russia for White Rus'.
In 1492, Moscow undertook the first big campaign against the Smolensk lands, and at the beginning of 1493 it captured Vyazma. The new Lithuanian prince Alexander made peace with Ivan III, ceding the Vyazma lands to him.
In 1501 main goal Smolensk became Ivan III, but all campaigns were unsuccessful.
In 1512, the new Moscow prince Vasily III resumed the war for Smolensk. Three major trips were made. In July 1514, an 80,000-strong Moscow army besieged Smolensk. For several days the city was shelled from 300 cannons. In order to save the city and its inhabitants, it was decided to surrender. But the war for Smolensk continued for another 8 years, although it was not possible to return the city to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. According to the treaty of 1522, the Smolensk lands were transferred to the Moscow state.
After the reunification of Ukraine with Russia in 1654, their joint struggle against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth began. Russian troops led by Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich were concentrated in the Smolensk direction.
In the summer of 1654, Bely and Dorogobuzh surrendered without a fight. In June 1654, the siege of Smolensk began. The city was surrendered in September. The Polish garrison left Smolensk, laying down their arms and banners. Some of the gentry left with the remnants of the garrison, but many remained on their Smolensk estates, becoming residents of Russia.
Since 1654, a new page has opened in the history of the Smolensk region. And according to the Truce of Andrusovo in 1667, the Smolensk region finally passed to Russia.

Smolensk region during the time of Peter I

At the beginning of the 18th century, Smolensk residents took part in the Northern War. Smolensk infantry and dragoon regiments were formed.
On September 9, 1708, a battle took place near the village of Mignovichi, from where the road to Smolensk led. The Swedes were led by the king Charles XII, Russian troops - Lieutenant General Bour. In the two-hour battle, the Swedes lost more than a thousand people. Charles XII almost was captured. He abandoned the idea of ​​taking Smolensk and turned south.
On September 28, 1708, the Smolensk Dragoon Regiment under the command of Chelishchev took part in the battle near the village of Lesnoy. The Swedes were defeated, and Peter I solemnly entered Smolensk to the sound of bells.
In 1708, by Decree of Peter I, Russia was divided into 20 provinces. The Smolensk province included the territory of the former principality with seventeen cities. Provincial institutions headed by the governor were located in Smolensk. He became the Dorogobuzh boyar Saltykov.
In 1713, the Riga province was created, which included the newly formed Smolensk province consisting of five counties: Smolensk, Belsk, Vyazemsk, Dorogobuzh and Roslavl.
In 1726 the province was reorganized into a province.

Smolensk region in the 19th centuries.

A special topic in the history of Smolensk is the War of 1812. The glorious victory of the Russians over the French is reminded of itself by monuments and street names.
The outcome of that already distant war was largely predetermined on Smolensk land. Under the walls of Smolensk in the battle, the French army lost more than 20 thousand people.
When, after exhausting bloody battles, the Russian army left the city, all the residents left with it. Napoleon rode into the destroyed, burning city in complete silence. “Having no other witnesses to his glory besides himself.” “It was a performance without spectators, a victory without fruits, bloody glory and smoke that enveloped us, and seemed to be our only gain,” wrote the French historian.
In 1861, Alexander II carried out peasant reform. It affected the peasants of the Smolensk province especially acutely. They received less land than they had under serfdom. This caused a wave of peasant uprisings. Zemstvo, city, military and judicial reforms were carried out, which played a progressive role in the development of the Smolensk region.
The second half of the 19th century was a period of growth in the development of culture. IN late XIX century, gymnasiums and secondary schools and libraries were opened in Smolensk. In 1866, a public city theater opened. In 1888, the first historical and archaeological museum opened in Smolensk. In 1898, a historical and ethnographic museum created by M.K. Tenisheva opened in Talashkino.
In the second half of the 19th century, Smolensk travelers Przhevalsky and Kozlov conducted a number of expeditions to explore Central Asia.

Smolensk region in the first half of the twentieth century.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Smolensk region was a typical agrarian Central Russian province. In the cities the population was about 120 thousand people. 92% of the population (1.5 million people) lived in the countryside. In the cities the population was about 120 thousand people. The largest city was Smolensk (59 thousand inhabitants).
During World War I, the Smolensk province became a front-line province. The headquarters of the Minsk Military District was located in Smolensk.
After October revolution In 1917, Soviet power was established in the Smolensk region. In the years civil war Red Guard squads were created in the Smolensk region, which participated in the suppression of anti-Soviet riots.
In September 1937, as a result of the reorganization of the Western Region, the Smolensk Region with a population of more than 2.5 million people was created from its central and western regions. It includes 54 districts. It exceeded the modern Smolensk region both in population and in area.

Smolensk region during the Great Patriotic War

At the first stage of the Great Patriotic War, the Battle of Smolensk took place. It lasted 2 months: from July 10 to September 10, 1941. In the Battle of Smolensk, 250 thousand Wehrmacht soldiers and officers were killed, more than in the first two years of the 2nd World War. As a result of the battle, Hitler’s plan was thwarted.” lightning war" The Battle of Smolensk gave Moscow the opportunity to prepare to repel the Nazi offensive. In the fire of battles on Smolensk land, the Soviet Guard was born, the talent of many military leaders was revealed: Lukin, Konev, Kurochkin, Gorodnyansky and others. During the Great Patriotic War, many partisan detachments operated in the Smolensk region. Partisans V. Kurylenko, P. Galetsky and the commander of the partisan detachment “Thirteen” S.V. Grishin was awarded the title of Hero Soviet Union.
September 25, 1943 as a result of the Smolensk offensive operation(Operation Suvorov) troops of the Western Front liberated Smolensk from the Nazis. Captain P.F. Klepach hoisted a red banner over the surviving building of the Smolensk Hotel.

Smolensk region in the post-war years

Many post-war years were spent restoration work, and all this time the Smolensk people autocratically developed the economy, science and culture of their region.
After the Nazi occupation in Smolensk, only 7% of undamaged residential space remained, and more than 100 industrial enterprises were destroyed. Vyazma, Gzhatsk, Yelnya, Dorogobuzh, Velizh, Demidov, Dukhovshchina, Roslavl lay in ruins...
Realizing the enormous importance of the Smolensk region for the country, the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR in 1945 included Smolensk and Vyazma among the 15 Russian cities subject to priority restoration, for which all conditions were created...
IN as soon as possible the area was restored. Industrial production soon exceeded pre-war levels and continued to grow every day.
In commemoration of the merits of the city's residents, Smolensk was awarded the title of hero city. And now the Thunder Tower and the Fortress Walls are considered the city’s landmarks. He bears this high title with honor.

Located on the upper banks of the Dnieper on the seven hills of the Smolensk Upland small town, who brought glory to Russia. Smolensk is almost 400 km away. from Moscow, has the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, and was awarded the Gold Star medal.

The history of the city goes back many centuries. Once upon a time, in its place there was a transshipment point where the proud Varangians tarred their boats. The craftsmen who performed the work gave the name to the future fortress.

The banks of the Dnieper preserve the memory of a bustling shopping center at the intersection of the most important trade routes. Before the Mongol-Tatar yoke, the city was actively developing and becoming beautiful. The city survived under the rule of the Tatars, but gradually began to lose its central importance.

Over the centuries of its existence, the city has repeatedly passed from the Russian state to the Principality of Lithuania and back. Residents withstood sieges and suffered defeats, thanks to betrayal, protested against the power of Muscovy and submitted to the power of the sovereigns, were part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, a controversial destiny of the principalities.
Since the 17th century, the city finally entered the Russian state, becoming its border western fortress. The Smolensk battle with Napoleon's troops led to the defeat and burning of the city. Subsequently, his recovery lasted for years.

However, the creation of large railway junctions gave new round in the development of the city. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Smolensk was already a prominent cultural center. After the revolution of 17, the city was classified either as Belarusian or Russian land, eventually assigning it to the Russian Federation.

The Great Patriotic War brought further destruction. However, the battle of Smolensk delayed the Nazis for a long time on their way to Moscow. The city survived the occupation, was almost destroyed, and many people died. However, after the war it was restored. For resistance to the Nazis, Smolensk received the title of hero city.

Now Smolensk is a beautiful cultural, industrial and administrative center of Russia, a large railway junction connecting Russia with many foreign countries. It is home to many famous figures culture and art, including M.I. Glinka, the most famous composer in the world, who brought our country a piece of musical glory.

SIGHTS OF SMOLENSK

You can get acquainted with the main attractions of Smolensk by walking. The ancient city of Krivichi, located on green hills, will be happy to tell you its story.

The two most important Smolensk attractions that are definitely worth a visit are the Smolensk Assumption Cathedral and the fortress wall - these are real original symbols of the Hero City.

I also recommend walking along the “Alley of Memory of Heroes”. Very a nice place. In August 1812, in the center of the city, near the fortress wall, the opening of this alley took place. The event was associated with the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Borodino. On August 26, a bronze bust of commander M.I. was erected here. Kutuzova.

During the Great Patriotic War, the famous Russian poet Alexander Trifonovich Tvardovsky worked as a war correspondent in Smolensk. In the apartment where the poet settled, the lines of “Vasily Terkin” and other poems were born. Now there is an apartment-museum here, and not far from it there is a monument to Terkin.

By the way, he built the Fortress Wall, or rather the author of the project was the great architect of that time - Fedor Savelyevich Kon, real name Perhaps Ivanov is the largest Russian architect at the turn of the 16th - 17th centuries, who bore the high personal title of “sovereign master”. A monument was also erected to him.

You won't be able to see all the sights in one day - here they are simply great amount. Come yourself and get to know the history of the city and its architecture in person. I recommend to everyone.

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Introduction

1. Defense of Smolensk 1609-1611.

3. Smolensk during the Great Patriotic War

Conclusion

Bibliography

Introduction

A working city, a warrior city, a city of Russian glory!

This is how Smolensk has been called since ancient times. For the second millennium, it stands unshakably on the steep Dnieper hills, at the crossroads of many roads, honestly and courageously accepting everything that history has assigned to it.

The great waterway “from the Varangians to the Greeks” passed here, connecting Scandinavia with the Black Sea basin. Having crossed the watershed between the Western Dvina and the Dnieper along small rivers, lakes and land, trading people on the river bank repaired and tarred ships, put shoes, clothes, and harness in order.

In 882, the Smolensk lands became part of ancient Russian state, which contributed to the strengthening economic growth cities. Thanks to its advantageous geographical location Smolensk became a major trade and cultural center. In the 9th-13th centuries, he was a link in the trade of the countries of the Arab Caliphate and Scandinavia, an authoritative intermediary in trade between European countries, the island of Gotland and the Russian principalities. Smolensk residents also traded their own goods: flax, rye, wax, honey, leather, furs, as well as horses and large cattle. Archaeological excavations indicate the wide distribution of a wide variety of crafts in the Smolensk Principality. Smolyan residents mastered the secrets of making super-strong brick, from which intensive construction of buildings began in the 12th century.

At the turn of the 16th - 17th centuries, Smolensk, as an important strategic point, was fortified with a powerful stone wall. On September 13, 1609, seven years after the completion of the fortress, the Polish king Sigismund III approached Smolensk with a huge army and besieged it. The defenders of the city, its entire population, selflessly held back the onslaught of a well-armed army of invaders for more than twenty months.

In the summer of 1708, troops approached the southern borders of Smolensk land Swedish king Charles XII, it was through Smolensk that he threatened to go to Moscow. But Peter I arrived in the city, and the most energetic measures were taken to repair the fortress and meet the enemy at the distant approaches. Having encountered well-equipped fortifications, having suffered several major defeats and almost being captured, Charles XII realized that it was impossible to get through Smolensk to Moscow, and turned south to Ukraine, where the famous Battle of Poltava took place (1709).

1. Defense of Smolensk 1609-1611.

The twenty-month heroic defense of the city during Polish-Swedish intervention in Russia at the beginning of the 17th century.

The Smolensk fortress was an important stronghold on the western border of the Russian state, covering the path to Moscow. Its garrison under the command of governor M.B. Sheina numbered 4-5 thousand people, had up to 200 guns various types and calibers, significant supplies of food and ammunition.

The Polish army, which included mercenary Hungarian infantry and Zaporozhye Cossacks, significantly outnumbered the fortress garrison. In September 1609, she approached Smolensk and launched her first unsuccessful assault. From September 28 to October 4, the fortress was bombed, after which it began a long siege.

The defenders of the city (the garrison and the townspeople) found themselves in a difficult situation. The Russian army, led by Prince D.I., set out to relieve the blockade of Smolensk. Shuisky in June 1610 under the village. Klushino was defeated by the Polish troops of Hetman S. Zholkiewski.

In July, August and November 1610, Polish troops repeatedly unsuccessfully tried to take Smolensk by storm. An attempt by the Polish command to persuade the defenders of the fortress to surrender was rejected.

In the winter of 1610-11. The situation in Smolensk worsened: there was not enough salt and water, epidemics began. No outside help was forthcoming. Moscow was in the hands of the Poles.

The Polish command, having received information from the defectors about the state of the garrison and fortifications, in June 1611 organized the fifth, most fierce assault on the fortress from three directions. Having blown up the walls, the Poles broke into the city. Troops and residents heroically resisted on the streets of the city and blew up a gunpowder warehouse. Voivode M.B. Shein, seriously wounded, was captured.

The heroic defense of Smolensk pinned down the main forces of the Polish king Sigismund III for almost two years and gave time and opportunity for the development of the national liberation movement in the country, for the formation of the first Russian militia, which liberated Moscow from the invaders.

By July 22 (August 3), the 1st and 2nd Russian armies, retreating from the western borders, united in the Smolensk area and 4 days later set out to meet the enemy in the direction of Rudnya and Vitebsk. To cover the city from the southwest, the 27th Infantry Division of General D.P. was sent to Krasny. Neverovsky.

On August 1 (13), the main forces of the French army resumed their offensive and moved along the left bank of the Dnieper towards Smolensk. Their path was blocked by Neverovsky's division and, retreating in battle, detained the enemy for a day. During this time, the 7th Infantry Corps of General N.N. managed to return to Smolensk. Raevsky, who decided to defend himself in the city itself, using fortifications.

On August 4 (16), the troops of Murat, Ney and Davout approached Smolensk. They besieged the city, bombed it and began its assault. Throughout the day, intense fighting took place, especially stubbornly in the area of ​​the Royal Bastion, where the 26th Infantry Division of General I.F. heroically defended itself, launching counterattacks. Paskevich. All enemy attacks were repulsed. By evening, the main forces of the 1st and 2nd armies arrived and settled in the northern part of the city.

On the night of August 5 (17), Raevsky’s tired corps was replaced by the 6th Infantry Corps of General D.S. Dokhturov and the 3rd Infantry Division of General P.P. Konovnitsyna; in the northern part - batteries of General A.I. Kutaisova. On the morning of August 5 (17), the enemy captured the city like a horseshoe: from the west - Ney’s corps, from the south - Davout, from the east - Poniatovsky. In the first half of the day there was a firefight, accompanied by mutual forays of small units. In the afternoon, the bombardment of the city with 350 guns began, the enemy launched a general attack and captured the outskirts of the city. Defending the Rachevsky suburb, General A.A. died. Skalon. Neverovsky's division fought at the Nikolsky Gate. The most fierce battles took place at the Molochov Gate, the Royal Bastion, where regiments of the 3rd and 7th infantry divisions confronted parts of Davout's corps. For 3 hours the enemy tried to break into the city, but all his attacks were repulsed. The city was engulfed in flames by the powerful bombing.

On the night of August 6 (18), the troops, and with them the population, left the burning city and destroyed the bridge across the Dnieper. During August 6 (18), Dokhturov's corps, located on the right bank of the Dnieper, covered the withdrawal of the main forces of the 1st Army (the 2nd Army had retreated the day before) and repelled attempts by French troops to cross the Dnieper in the city area. In the Battle of Smolensk, the French army lost up to 20 thousand people killed, the Russian - 10 thousand people

Napoleon's plan to impose a general battle on the Russian army was thwarted.

The events of this battle are immortalized by monuments and memorial plaques.

3 . Smolensk during the Great Patriotic War

The Smolensk land, which for many centuries protected Moscow and the eastern regions of the country from attacks by enemies from the West, found itself in the path of the main forces of the fascist invasion during the Great Patriotic War. Hitler's command hoped to immediately capture Smolensk by the end of July 1941, seize the area between the Dnieper and Western Dvina rivers, and thereby open up the shortest road to Moscow. But the fascist strategists miscalculated.

On July 10, one of the largest battles began initial period- The Battle of Smolensk, which lasted over a vast area until mid-September 1941. In it, Soviet soldiers heroically held back the onslaught of the strike force of the fascist armies “Center”. For two weeks they fought bloody battles on the streets of Smolensk. In the battles near Yelnya, which ended with the defeat of several selected enemy divisions and the liberation of the city, the Soviet Guard was born - the flower and pride of our Armed Forces. (see Soviet Guard). For the first time, the Nazis experienced a volley of new Soviet weapons - rocket artillery - the legendary Katyushas (see Rocket artillery). The civilian population of the region provided great assistance to the Red Army. At the call of the regional party committee, tens of thousands of old men, women, girls and boys, who replaced the men who had gone to the front, participated in the construction of defensive fortifications, airfields, bridges and other structures; 26 destruction battalions and about a hundred self-defense groups were created to fight enemy paratroopers .

As a result of the Battle of Smolensk, the enemy doctrine of “blitzkrieg” was dealt its first serious blow, and the Nazis’ attempt to break through to Moscow on the move failed. For the first time since the Second World War, selected fascist troops, suffering huge losses, were delayed for two months, which enabled the Soviet command to gain time to bring up reserves from the depths of the country, prepare the Vyazemsk and Mozhaisk defense lines, and strengthen the defense of the capital (see Battle of Smolensk 1941).

For more than two years the region was at the front. The Nazis stubbornly clung to the occupied areas, considering them as a springboard for a subsequent attack on Moscow. The main reserves of the fascist Army Group Center were concentrated here, powerful defensive lines were created, and bloody battles with the Nazis did not stop for a day. In addition to the Battle of Smolensk in 1941, Red Army troops carried out 12 military operations in the region, which went down in the history of the Great Patriotic War. These are the operations: Elninskaya 1941, Vyazemskaya 1941, Sychevsko-Vyazemskaya 1942, Vyazemskaya airborne 1942, Rzhevsko-Vyazemskaya 1942, Rzhevsko-Sychevskaya 1942, Rzhevsko-Vyazemskaya 1943.

Having defeated Nazi troops near Moscow, Stalingrad, Kursk and other sectors of the front, the Red Army in the summer of 1943 went on the offensive West direction and August 7 - October 2 carried out the Smolensk operation of 1943. Components Its operations were: Spas-Demenskaya, Elninsko-Dorogobuzhskaya, Dukhovshchinsko-Demidovskaya, Smolensk-Roslavlskaya. During the battles, the troops of the Western and Kalinin fronts broke through the powerful defensive lines of enemy troops, liberated Yelnya, Yartsevo, Demidov, Dorogobuzh, Dukhovshchina, Smolensk, Roslavl and completely completed the liberation of the Smolensk region, cleared part of the Kalinin region from the Nazis, and marked the beginning of the liberation of Belarus.

Despite the unparalleled courage shown by the soldiers of the Red Army, the people's militia, and all workers during the Battle of Smolensk in 1941, by October 12 the fascists managed to temporarily capture the entire territory of the region. In the occupied areas, the Nazis established a regime of bloody terror. They burned villages, shot civilians, subjected patriots to the most brutal torture. However, no amount of atrocities and violence could be used by the Nazis to shake the heroic spirit of the Smolensk people or bring them to their knees. From the very beginning of the enemy occupation, the operational rear of Army Group Center turned into the arena of a mass battle of patriots against the invaders.

During the period of its complete occupation, a wide network of underground party bodies and organizations was created on the territory of the Smolensk region. Led by the Smolensk Regional Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks, carrying out the directives of the Central Committee of the party, they stood at the head of the patriotic resistance of the people, ensured its unprecedented scope, and successfully led all forms of people’s struggle against the fascist conquerors. The actions of the partisan forces turned out to be the most centralized and effective. Actively interacting with regular units of the Red Army, by the spring of 1942 they liberated 25 of the 42 occupied regions from the enemy in his rear, on the territory of which partisan regions arose - powerful bases for the advancing Red Army and partisan actions. Under the leadership of the Western headquarters of the partisan movement, created in the summer of 1942, they launched active sabotage activities on enemy communications, disrupted the delivery of weapons, ammunition and other military-technical equipment to the front, did not allow the invaders to remove food, raw materials, and timber from the occupied territory, and saved Smolensk residents from deported to hard labor in Germany, conducted reconnaissance in the interests of the Red Army, distracted from the front and pinned down significant enemy forces.

Significant damage to the Nazi invaders was caused by underground groups and organizations in cities, etc. populated areas. The underground operated in Smolensk, Roslavl, Vyazma, Kardymovo, Rudnya, Demidov and other places. They collected and delivered intelligence information, participated in sabotage, disabled enterprise equipment, collected weapons, arranged escapes of prisoners of war and sent them to partisan detachments, distributed leaflets, informed the population about the actions of Soviet troops, etc. The most widespread was the struggle of the population to disrupt the political, economic and military plans and activities of the Nazi occupiers. Smolyan residents sabotaged food supplies, did not go to work, did not pay taxes, evaded mobilization, and caused enormous damage to the invaders. All forms of popular struggle behind enemy lines were interconnected. Guerrilla formations widely used underground methods and interacted with the underground. In turn, the underground fighters, when the situation required it, switched to open hostilities or joined partisan formations. The people's struggle to disrupt the activities of the occupiers rose to the level of sabotage. Complementing and reinforcing each other, all these forms of struggle constituted a powerful movement of the people.

In terms of scale, political and military results, the national struggle behind enemy lines acquired the significance of an important military-political factor in the defeat of fascism and provided enormous assistance to the Red Army, which played a decisive role in the victory over the fascist occupiers.

The people of Smolensk fought with the Nazis not only in their own region. They were among the defenders of the Brest Fortress, participated in the defense of Moscow, fought under the walls of Stalingrad, defeated the enemy at Orel and Kursk, crossed the Dnieper, Vistula, Danube and other water lines, liberated the country from the Nazis of Eastern Europe, stormed Berlin. Fighting on the fronts, in partisan detachments, and underground, they increased the glory of their ancestors. The homeland highly appreciated their military exploits. Tens of thousands of Smolensk residents were awarded orders and medals, more than 236 were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, 44 became full holders of the Order of Glory. Among them are pilots A.I. Koldunov and V.D. Lavrinenkov - twice Hero of the Soviet Union; M.A. Egorov, who hoisted the Victory Banner over the Reichstag in Berlin; S.V. Grishin, commander of a partisan unit; Army General P.A. Kurochkin; Colonel General I.T. Grishin; Marshal of Armored Forces O.A. Moose. For the courage and resilience shown by the defenders of Smolensk, the active participation of workers in the partisan movement and the successes achieved in the restoration of the city and development National economy, Smolensk was awarded the Order Patriotic War, 1st degree and the Order of Lenin. The city of Yelnya was also awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree. On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Victory over fascism for the courage and fortitude of the defenders of Smolensk, the mass heroism of workers in the fight against Nazi invaders During the Great Patriotic War, Smolensk was awarded the honorary title “Hero City” and awarded the “Gold Star” medal.

During the period of their rule, the Nazi occupiers committed colossal destruction and unheard-of atrocities, causing enormous damage to the economy and culture of the region. They almost completely destroyed 12 cities, including Smolensk, Vyazma, Roslavl, Yartsevo, Dorogobuzh, Rudnya, Velizh. Five workers' settlements, the regional centers of Vskhody, Prechistoe, Sloboda and hundreds of villages were wiped off the face of the earth. The Nazis destroyed and looted 935 industrial enterprises, more than 3 thousand cultural and health institutions, burned almost 250 thousand houses of rural residents, and took away 1.5 million heads of livestock from the population and collective farms. Material damage damage to the national economy exceeded 40 billion rubles. But the greatest damage caused by the Nazis was that the war they started claimed millions of human lives. Many thousands of Smolensk residents died at the fronts and in partisan detachments. Tens of thousands were tortured by the Nazis. During the occupation, 151,319 civilians and 230,137 prisoners of war were shot, hanged, burned, buried alive, poisoned and in gas chambers, and tortured in SD dungeons; the Nazis drove 164,630 people to hard labor in Germany. Compared to pre-war times, the population of the region decreased by half, and many areas were literally depopulated. The occupiers sought to leave behind a “desert zone” in order to undermine the economic power of the Soviet Union, weaken the advancing Red Army, and doom the remaining population to poverty, hunger, and extinction. But the Nazis again miscalculated.

The Soviet state found the strength and means to begin restoration work during the war. In August 1943, the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks adopted a special decision “On the restoration of the economy in the Smolensk region.” In the same month, the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR and the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks adopted a resolution “On urgent measures to restore the economy in areas liberated from German occupation.” Fighting was still going on in the fields of the region, and trains with troops were already coming here from the depths of the country. building materials and equipment for factories and transport, agricultural implements, equipment for public utilities, hospitals, schools, clubs, with textbooks, household utensils, shoes and clothing. The workers of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, Moscow, Kuibyshev, Yaroslavl, Ryazan, Kostroma region. Smolyan residents, under the leadership of the regional party organization, made tremendous efforts to revive their economy and culture. People lived in dugouts, basements, shacks, and in Smolensk even in niches of ancient fortress walls. The collective farms lacked cars, horses, seeds, work force. The fields were dug up with trenches, filled with mines, and overgrown with weeds and bushes. But the working people of the region overcame all difficulties. Throughout the Smolensk region, a movement of workers began to master the construction professions. Following the example of the Stalingrad residents, volunteer construction teams were organized in Smolensk, Vyazma, Roslavl and other cities and towns. Smolyan residents restored, repaired and built housing, cultural institutions, industrial premises, sowed the fields, harvested the crops (see Restoration of the national economy of the region.). The workers paid Special attention comprehensive support Soviet army and the Navy. The restored local industry was immediately involved in fulfilling urgent orders for the active army. Smolyan residents donated millions of pounds of grain, potatoes, vegetables and other products to the military units of the Western and Kalinin fronts. Signing up for a war loan, cash and clothing lottery tickets, and raising funds for the construction of the Smolensk Partisan tank column and the Smolensk aviation squadron were successfully carried out both in the liberated areas and behind enemy lines.

Conclusion

In the entire centuries-old history of the city, there has not been a century when Smolensk residents did not have to take up arms. They took part in many campaigns against the Polovtsians who attacked southern lands Rus'. The author of “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign,” calling on the Russian princes to unite to repel enemy invasions, calls the Smolensk prince Davyd fearless and his squad brave. The Smolensk residents steadfastly fought with the army of the Golden Horde at the Kalka River, crushed the Horde at the walls of their city, heroically held back the onslaught of the Lithuanian feudal lords, giving Moscow the opportunity to gather its strength and begin the unification of the Russian principalities. Three Smolensk regiments took part in the brutal Battle of Grunwald with the knights of the Teutonic Order.

The most difficult trials befell Smolensk during the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet people against Nazi Germany. On the distant and near approaches to ancient city, on its streets and squares, throughout the surrounding land, the largest battle of the initial period of the war thundered for two months - the Battle of Smolensk, which destroyed Hitler’s “blitzkrieg” plans. When the city found itself under temporary occupation, the remaining population continued to fight the enemy.

On September 25, 1943, Smolensk was liberated. Ruins of buildings, mountains of crumbled bricks, charred trees and chimneys The soldiers of the Red Army saw the site of the former dwellings when they entered the city. A new heroic feat was required to overcome the devastation and revive life in the ashes and ruins. And this feat was accomplished.

Today's Smolensk is one of the most beautiful cities in the country. In it, hoary antiquity coexists with modern buildings; the revived buildings delight the eye with their architectural appearance. History here reminds of itself either with an earthen defensive rampart, or an ancient temple, or a fortress tower... Smolensk residents are proud of their heroic past, building a new life.

Bibliography

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