Discover Russia with the Presidential Library: Thrice was the Fatherland saved by Smolensk land

In 2018 the Hero City of Smolensk is marking its 1155th anniversary. The festivities in commemoration of this event are to be launched on September 25. What is more, on September 27 the Smolensk region is marking the 81st anniversary of foundation. As part of the project "Discover Russia with the Presidential Library" we are portraying the region using the electronic collections – over 640,000 digital copies of unique documents. Smolensk region is in the spotlight of the individual collection, which features archival documents, studies, statistical, visual materials, maps and audio recordings.

"In Nestor’s chronicles Smolensk is recorded along with Kiev, Novgorod and Staraya Ladoga among the cities that existed in the 9th century”, the 1868 book “Lists of Inhabited Areas of the Russian Empire” reads. – He also states that during the reign of the Greek Emperor Constantine VII, Smolensk merchants sailed to Greece”.

Nevertheless, the exact date and the founder of the city remain unknown: "It is only known that from ancient times Smolensk had been inhabited by the Krivichs, people who originated from the Slavs ..." – P. Nikitin’s book “Sketches on Smolensk” (1845) reads.

In the book “Smolensk and its Walls: The Brief History of Smolensk and its Fortress” (1902) I. I. Orlovsky writes that the city had three waterways: "The first  - “from the Varangians to the Greeks" - from the Baltic Sea across the Neva, Volkhov, Lovat and Dnieper to the Black Sea, the second - "to the Bulgarians and the Khvalynsk (Caspian) Sea" across the Dnieper and tributaries of the Volga, the third - "to the Germans”, from the Dnieper to the Dvina and the Gulf of Riga. "

The first records of Smolensk date back to 863. Later, beginning from 11th century, the Smolensk Principality was formed around Smolensk. At different times the region was under the rule of Lithuania and Poland, but since 1654 it has been the part Russia.

Smolensk Land rescued the Fatherland at least three times: during the Time of Troubles in the early 17th century, during the Patriotic War of 1812 and the Great Patriotic War.

“Defense of Smolensk of 1609–1611” and “Struggle for Smolensk (16th–17th cc.)” by V. P. Maltsev and A. A. Savich deal with the siege of Smolensk by the Polish-Lithuanian troops during the Time of Troubles.

B. M. Voronovsky’s “The Patriotic War of 1812 in Smolensk Governorate” describes the city as it was before the invasion of Napoleon: "By 1812 Smolensk was a city, which numbered 2,517 public and private houses, 27 churches and 345 stores. Its population reached 12,590 inhabitants both men and women”.

As part of “The Battle of Smolensk of 1812” radio broadcast, available on the portal of the Presidential Library, famous traveler Mikhail Kozhukhov narrates: "Napoleon was going to surround the Russian army at Smolensk, thus preventing it from retreating. The corps of General Rayevsky - 15 thousand soldiers with 76 guns - was sent to block the way of the French army to Smolensk. In tough battles the French succeeded in seizing the moat, the rampart and partly the royal bastion. But by the evening Rayevsky forced the enemy leave all city fortifications. Meanwhile, the armies of Barclay and Bagration entered the city. The 180,000-strong French army surrounded the city from three sides like a horseshoe. For two days, 120,000 Russian soldiers defended against enemy’s attacks. Realizing that it was impossible to take the city by storm, Napoleon ordered to fire all 300 guns. <...> Only 10% of the buildings on the outskirts of the city survived the fire. "

"The damage was so severe that out of 12 districts only Belsky remained untouched, Pochersky and Roslavlsky were destroyed less than others, while the remaining nine were completely devastated”, “Lists of Inhabited Areas of the Russian Empire” reads.

Like during the Time of the Troubles, two centuries later, in 1812, the city was protected by the Smolensk fortress wall, the masterpiece of Russian architecture. It is in spotlight of the individual collection, available on the portal of the Presidential Library.

Fortifications were built during 1595-1602, Mikhail Kozhukhov narrates in “Smolensk Fortress” radio broadcast: "The 40-year-old architect Fyodor Savelyev nicknamed “Steed” was responsible for architectural works. Having studied the Smolensk fortress design, Boris Godunov wrote in admiration: "We will build a beauty unparalleled in the whole world, there are 38 towers on the wall, and on its top you can freely ride troika (a three-horse carriage), the fortress is to become the necklace of the whole Orthodox Rus’, the envy of enemies and pride of the Moscow state".

By the way, in the middle of the 19th century the wall was ordered to be dismantled. However, according to I. I. Orlovsky, it was Alexander II who intervened and prevented it. The tsar wrote: "It would be desirable to be more anxious to protect the ancient monuments that like the Smolensk wall have a special historical significance”. The book “Smolensk and its Walls” includes other famous people’s accounts of this place.

It went through another ordeal in the first half of 20th century. M. Kozhukhov narrates that in the summer of 1941 the major battle at the beginning of the war took place here. But, despite the enemy’s overwhelming superiority in men and machinery, the Soviet troops stopped the enemy’s advance for two months.

It is worth noting that the individual collection of the Presidential Library features illustrations and sound recordings dedicated to Smolensk.