Smolensk

Smolensk (Смоленск) is a city in western Russia, located on the Dniepr river at 54.79° North, 32.05° East (The World Gazetteer), administrative center of Smolensk Oblast. Its population in 2003 is 351,100. The name of the city is derived from the name of Smolnya River. The origin of the river name is less clear. One possibility is the Russian word smola that means both tar and resin. Pine trees grow in the area, and city was once a center of resin procession and trade. An alternative origin could be the old Slavic word smol — black soil.

The historic city features the Cathedral of the Assumption, 12th century Peter and Paul's temple, 12th century Michael Archangel's temple, 12th century John the Apostel's temple and fragments of a 17th century kremlin.

Timeline

• 863 First known written reference to Smolensk
• 882 Incorporated to the Kievan Rus
• 1054 Smolensk duchy is founded
• 1229 Trade agreement with Riga and Hanse
• 1233-1238 Invasion of Tartars. Smolensk pays tribute to Tartars.
• 1320 Alliance with Lithuania
• 1330 Smolensk liberated from the tribute to Tartars thanks to the help of Lithuania
• 1360 Smolensk army takes part in the Lithuanian struggle against Moscow
• 1385 Personal union of Poland and Lithuania
• 1395 Smolensk incorporated into Lithuania
• 1410 Three Smolensk divisions take part in the Battle of Grunwald against Teutonic Order knights
• 1432-1440 civil war
• 1514 incorporated into Muscovy
• 1544, 1552, 1553 failed attempts by Lithuania to recapture the city
• 1569 Polish-Lituanian union in Lublin. The newly created state called The Commonwealth inherited claims to Smolensk.
• 1596-1602 construction of the city walls
• 1609 beginning of the siege by the army of the Commonwealth
• 1611 Smolensk captured again by Polish army, thanks to the help of local people
• 1633-1634 the failed siege by the Moscow army
• 1654 Smolensk captured by Russian army
• 1667 Final peace agreement decides that Smolensk belongs to Russia
• 1708 Smolensk province (Guberniya) is founded
• 1812 Napoleon captures Smolensk on his way to Moscow in the Patriotic War
• 1917 Soviets take over the city. In the neighbouring Katyn forest the center for the extermination of their "enemies" is established.
• 1940 Katyn massacre mass execution of the 5000 Polish Prisoners of War in the Katyn forest
• 1941-September 25th 1943 Occupied by Nazi Germany. For its heroism during the battle of Smolensk, the city is later awarded the title Hero City.
• 1991 Smolensk remains part of the Russian Federation.

External Links

• Official Website of Smolensk (http://admin.smolensk.ru/~smol/) (in Russian)
• Official Website of Smolensk region (oblast) (http://www.smolensk.ru/) (in Russian)

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