Smolensk Travel Guide
Smolensk (Смоленск) is situated in western European Russia on the Dnieper River (see map). Much older than Moscow, it was one of the first cities to be founded in old Rus. First mentioned in the chronicles in 863, it became an important river port situated on various medieval trade routes connecting Scandinavia and the Baltic lands with Byzantium.
Being such an important crossroads in eastern Europe, it has been ravaged no less than 20 times by the fires of war. It was sacked by the Mongols in the 12th century, captured by the Lithuanians in the 15th century, retaken by the Russians in the 16th century, occupied by the Poles in the 17th century... Other notable invaders include Napoleon, who seized the city after a heroic battle in 1812 and the Germans who captured the city after heavy fighting in 1941. The title of Hero City was bestowed on Smolensk after the war.
Today, with a population of roughly 350,000 inhabitants, the city is an important rail junction, a distribution point for the region's agricultural products, plus a commercial, cultural, and educational center. Although virtually razed during fighting in World War II, many of Smolensk's historical landmarks have been rebuilt to their original.
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Phoning Smolensk
+ 7 (Country Code) + 4812 (City Code) + Telephone Number
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Independent Smolensk Guides & Interpreters
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Lilia S Languages: English (fluent), German (fluent) Availability: 4-5 days per week with notice Fees: €15 per hour Resume & Contact Info: |
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A B Languages: Availability: Fees: Resume & Contact Info: |
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Smolensk
Weather (click for 3, 5 & 11 day forecast) |
Additional Resources for Smolensk, Russia
- Wikipedia: Smolensk (eng)
- Wikipedia: Smolensk Oblast (eng)
- Folklore ballet "Smolensk" (eng & rus)
- Administration of Smolensk Region (eng & rus)
- Battle of Smolensk (1812)
- Battle of Smolensk (1941)
- Battle of Smolensk (1943)
- Sites below are in Russian. To translate the web page, click on Google Translate and enter the site address.
- Youth information portal for Smolensk and Smolensk Oblast
- Smolensk basketball portal
- Smolensk Fortress: Smolensk State Museum
- Smolensk.ru: Smolensk Oblast information portal
- Monthly regional magazine "Smolensk"
- Smolensk City Adminitration
