Smolensk

Smolensk (Russian: ????????;, Belarusian: ????????) is a city in western Russia, located on the Dniepr river at {{coor d|54.79|N|32.05|E|}}, administrative center of Smolensk Oblast. Its population in 2003 is 351,100.

Modern history

Smolensk has been a special place to Russians for many reasons, not least for the fact that the local cathedral housed one of the most venerated Orthodox icons, attributed to St Luke. Building the new Cathedral of the Assumption was a great project which took more than a century to complete. Despite slowly sinking into economic backwater, Smolensk was still valued by tsars as a key fortress defending the route to Moscow. It was made the capital of guberniya in 1708.

Related Topics:
Cathedral - Orthodox - St Luke - Fortress - Moscow - Guberniya - 1708

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In August 1812 two largest armies ever assembled clashed in Smolensk. During the hard-fought battle, described by Leo Tolstoy in War and Peace, Napoleon entered the city. Total losses were estimated at 30,000 men. Apart from other military monuments, downtown Smolensk features the Eagles monument, unveiled in 1912 to mark the centenary of Napoleon's Russian campaign.

Related Topics:
1812 - Armies - Hard-fought battle - Leo Tolstoy - War and Peace - Napoleon - Napoleon's Russian campaign

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On January 1, 1919 the Belorussian Soviet Socialist Republic was proclaimed in Smolensk, but its government moved to Minsk as soon as the Polish interventionists had been driven from the Belorusian capital several months later.

Related Topics:
January 1 - 1919 - Belorussian Soviet Socialist Republic - Minsk

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During the WWII Smolensk was again chosen by history as a stage for one of its greater battles, the Battle of Smolensk. The first Soviet counteroffensive against the German army was launched here in August 1941. Over 93% of the city was destroyed during the fighting. The ancient icon was lost forever. It is no surprise that the title of Hero City was bestowed on Smolensk after the war.

Related Topics:
WWII - Battle of Smolensk - Soviet - 1941 - Hero City

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