Smolensk region

• Smolensk region was founded on September 27, 1937

• Region centre – city of Smolensk

• Region occupies an area of 49,800 sq. km (0.29% of Russia's total area).

• Population of the region (c. 1.01.2000) is 1,148,000 people (0.78% of Russia's population)

• Administrative areas – 25

• Cities of regional subordination – 2

• Population of the largest cities: Smolensk – 352,700; Roslavl – 60,900

History and Culture

Smolensk region is situated in the central part of the Eastern-European Plain. Most part of its territory is occupied by the Smolensk Hills. The climate of the region is temperate continental with an average temperature in January of -8 -10C, and an average temperature in July of +17 +18C. Riverheads of many great rivers such as the Dnieper, the Desna and the Sozh are on the territory of the region. The center of the region is Smolensk.

The Eastern Part of Smolensk region is famous for having plenty of forests. The riverheads of two great rivers – the Dnieper and the Vasuzha are situated there. In the 18th century Russian aristocracy paid attention to this region and for two centuries they were building many country estates there. The most famous of them was Khmelita, which is not far from the riverhead of the Vasuzha in Vjazma district.

The city of Smolensk is one of the oldest and most historic of Russian cities. First mentioned in an ancient chronicle as early as 863, it was already a key stronghold on the Dnieper River by the 9th century.

Smolensk was an important commercial center on the ancient trade route between the Baltic Sea and the Byzantine empire.

Smolensk was attacked but not captured by the Tatars about 1238. Sieges led to its capture by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1404 and its recapture by Moscow in 1514. In the 17th century the city was fought over several times. It was the hub of bloody collisions between the united Polish-Lithuanian state and Moscow, before it was finally taken by Russia in 1654.

Formed in 1708, the Smolensk province suffered devastation during Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812. The city itself was burned but played a major part during the heroic defense against the huge French army on August 4-5, 1812.

The scene of heavy fighting, the city and the province were heavily ravaged in World War II. After the German occupation in 1941-1943, Smolensk was among a dozen Russian cities completely destroyed during the war.

In post-war years the city was restored and rebuilt anew. Smolensk is now a light industry and educational center.

In spite of many years of severe trials and devastations, local places of interest are numerous, well-preserved and invariably attract visitors.

Among these are: three chaples of the 12th century; the fortress of 1569-1602 with walls extending 3 km; the majestic 5-dome Assumption Cathedral; a number of orthodox temples of 18th century and many monuments to renowned compatriots (Michael Kutuzov – a Russian field marshal, hero of 1812, Michael Glinka – a great Russian composer, Sergey Konenkov – a Russian sculptor, Alexander Tvardovsky – a poet, Yuri Gagarin – the world's first astronaut) and landmarks of various historical events.

Sights

Merchants sailing down the Dnieper via Smolensk were astonished at the great number of stone buildings, picturesquely situated on the high hills near the river. The first stone building – the Assumption Cathedral – was founded in 1101 by Vladimir Monomach and existed up to 1611.

At that time chapels were also centers of culture. Monks translated and copied books and wrote chronicles. But only three stone temples built in the 12-th century have survived from those times.

Walking through Smolensk, one can't miss the Assumption Cathedral – the main church of Smolensk region. The construction of this church began in 1677 and was finished after almost one hundred years in 1772. The Assumption Cathedral can't be separated from the skyline of Smolensk. This huge building has dominated over the city for two centuries. The main decoration of the cathedral is a masterpiece of arts and crafts. This is an iconostasis carved in wood and covered with gold. There are two famous sacred relics in the church the shroud of Christ, made in the 16th century in Princess Ephrosinia Staritskaya's workshop, and the Smolensk icon of the Mother of God “Hodegetria”. Not far from Elnja on the bank of the river Desna there is the village of Novospasskoye. This is the motherland of one of the founders of Russian classical music, M.I. Glinka. He was born there, spent his childhood and wrote his immortal symphonies there. A splendid park with a cascade of ponds and the Tikhvinskaua Church has remained there. Near Demidov there is the lake of Sapsho with the village of Przchevalsky, named after the famous Russian geographer N.M.Przchevalsky. The Museum House was founded in his Estate in 1877.

Smolensk region is famous for handicrafts – woodcutting, fine needle-works and pottery. Peasants grow long-fibroid flax, which is called the “Silk of North”. Having arrived in Smolensk, it's worth buying some linen.

THE CULTURAL EVENTS CALENDAR

March, 9-11
Public scientific readings devoted to Y.A. Gagarin's memory

May 20
The Smolensk region diocesan holiday – The Memorial day of Gerasim Boldinsky'

May, the last days of the month
The precious bard song festival

June, the first days of the month
The All-Russia musical festival named in honour of M.I. Glinka

July
The All-Russia Griboedov readings taking place in Khmelita

August 10
The Smolensk God Mother Hodegetria's Day

September 25
City Day

NATURAL PARKS AND RESERVES

The national natural park Smolenskoye Poozerye
Smolensk region, Demidov district, v. Przhevalskoye, Gurevich St., 19

Tel./fax (08147) 4-62-04
E-mail: dgo@sci.smolensk.ru

HOTELS
¹ Hotel Address Tel./Fax
1 Rossiya (***) Smolensk Dzerzhinskogo St., 23/2 Tel.:(0812) 65-56-10
Fax:(0812) 65-52-01
2 Tsentralnaya Smolensk, Lenina St., 2/1 Tel.:(08122) 3-36-04
Fax:(08122) 3-38-54
3 AO “Inturist-Smolensk” Konenkova St., 3 Tel.:.(0812) 65-63-71, 3-14-92
Fax:(08122) 3-35-08
4 Patriot Smolensk, Kirova St., 22 Tel.:(08122)3-49-36
5 Smolensk Smolensk, Glinki St., 11/30 Tel.:(08122) 9-18-66
6 Phoenix Smolensk region, Smolensk distrikt,
the 382 th km of the Moscow-Belarus motorway 		Tel.:(08122) 2-14-88
Fax:(08122) 3-60-42
7 Luxe-310 Smolensk region, Safonovo district, Vishgor,
the 310 th km of the Moscow-Belarus motorway 		Tel.:(08142) 4-49-91
Fax:(08142) 2-17-27
8 Oasis Smolensk region, Yartsevo, 338 th km of the Moscow-Belarus motorway Tel.:(08143) 4-15-41
Fax:(08143) 4-40-69
9 Russian style Smolensk region, Smolensk district, p/o Kuprino,
v. Yermaki, the 408 th km of the Moscow-Belarus motorway 		Tel.:(08122) 7-21-52
10 Health centres The Przhevalsky sanatorium
Smolensk region, Demidov district, v. Przhevalskoye 		Tel.:(08147) 4-64-32
Fax:(08147) 4-61-43
11 Krasny Bor 214022, Smolenskul., 2/1 Tel.:(08124) 2-08-04
12 Baklanovo Smolensk region, Demidov district Tel.:(08147) 4-62-04, 4-31-74
13 The tourist complex
Sokolinaya Gora 		Smolensk region, Smolensk district, p/o Mitino -


TRAVEL AGENCIES
¹ Agency Address Tel./Fax
1 Smolensk regional tourist and excursion firm “Smolensk-tourist” K. Marx St.,14 Tel.: (08122) 3-91-64, 3-92-62, 3-30-41
Fax: (08122) 3-01-61
2 Smolensk city children's public-service foundation “Meridian” Krasninskaya St., 7 Tel.: (08122) 9-16-59
3 Tourist agency “Intervisa” Lenin St., 2/1 Tel./Fax: (08122) 9-19-62
4 ÎÎÎ “Express-tour” Gagarin av., 10/2 Tel.: (08122) 3-51-93, 3-35-87
5 ÎÎÎ «LLT» Dzerzhinsky St.,19 Tel.: (08122) 3-52-00
Fax: (08122) 3-28-66
6 “Etoile” tourist firm Gagarin Av., 5 Tel.: (08122) 3-51-81
Fax: (08122) 3-08-26


SMOLENSK REGION DEPARTMENT
FOR CULTURAL POLICY
AND TOURISM
Tel.: (08122) 3-61-04