Editing Smolensk

{{Short description|City in Smolensk Oblast, Russia}}
{{Redirect|Smolensko|the racehorse|Smolensko (horse)}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox Russian inhabited locality
| en_name                 = Smolensk
| ru_name                 = Смоленск
| image_skyline           = {{multiple image
|perrow = 1/2/2
|border = infobox
|total_width = 280
|image1 = Smolensk downtown.jpg{{!}}Smolensk Kremlin and Dormition Cathedral in Smolensk
|image2 = Здание реального училища, Смоленск20150920.jpg{{!}}Smolensk Art Gallery
|image3 = Долгочевская башня первая в ансамбле.jpg{{!}}Smolensk Kremlin
|image4 = Smolensk (259909809).jpeg{{!}}Holy Trinity Cathedral
|image5 = Smolensk (259990967).jpeg{{!}}Smolensk Philharmonic
|caption1 = [[Smolensk Kremlin]] and [[Dormition Cathedral in Smolensk|Dormition Cathedral]]
|caption2 = Smolensk Art Gallery
|caption3 = Smolensk Kremlin
|caption4 = Holy Trinity Cathedral
|caption5 = Philharmonic}}
| image_map               =
| map_caption             =
|pushpin_map              = Russia Smolensk Oblast#European Russia#Europe
| coordinates             = {{coord|54|46|58|N|32|02|43|E|display=inline,title}}
| image_flag              = Flag of Smolensk (Smolensk oblast).png
| flag_caption            =
| image_coa               = Coat of Arms of Smolensk (Smolensk oblast) (2001).png
| coa_caption             =
| anthem                  =
| anthem_ref              =
| holiday                 =
| holiday_ref             =
<!-- administrative status -->
| federal_subject         = [[Smolensk Oblast]]
| federal_subject_ref     = <ref name="Ref138" />
| adm_district_jur        =
| adm_district_jur_ref    =
| adm_inhabloc_jur        = Smolensk [[City of federal subject significance|Urban Okrug]]
| adm_inhabloc_jur_ref    = <ref name="Ref138" />
| adm_citydistrict_type   =
| adm_selsoviet_jur       =
| adm_selsoviet_type      =
| adm_selsoviet_jur_ref   =
| capital_of              =
| capital_of_ref          =
| adm_ctr_of1             = Smolensk Oblast
| adm_ctr_of1_ref         = <ref name="Ref138" />
| adm_ctr_of2             = [[Smolensky District, Smolensk Oblast|Smolensky District]]
| adm_ctr_of2_ref         = <ref name="Ref138" />
| inhabloc_cat            = City
| inhabloc_cat_ref        = <ref name="Ref138" />
| inhabloc_type           =
| inhabloc_type_ref       =
<!-- municipal status -->
| mun_district_jur        =
| mun_district_jur_ref    =
| urban_okrug_jur         = Smolensk Urban Okrug
| urban_okrug_jur_ref     = <ref name="Ref223" />
| urban_settlement_jur    =
| urban_settlement_jur_ref =
| rural_settlement_jur    =
| rural_settlement_jur_ref =
| inter_settlement_territory =
| inter_settlement_territory_ref =
| mun_admctr_of1          = Smolensk Urban Okrug
| mun_admctr_of1_ref      = <ref name="Ref223" />
| mun_admctr_of2          = Smolensky Municipal District
| mun_admctr_of2_ref      = <ref name="Ref223" />
| leader_title            = Head
| leader_title_ref        =
| leader_name             = Alexander Novikov<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smoladmin.ru/administraciya-goroda/rukovodstvo/novikov-aleksandr-aleksandrovich/|title=Новиков Александр Александрович|language=ru|access-date=26 July 2023|archive-date=10 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810233542/https://www.smoladmin.ru/administraciya-goroda/rukovodstvo/novikov-aleksandr-aleksandrovich/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| leader_name_ref         =
| representative_body     = City Council
| representative_body_ref = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smolsovet.ru/|title=Смоленский городской Совет – Официальный сайт органа местного самоуправления|website=www.smolsovet.ru|access-date=22 February 2014|archive-date=25 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625103358/http://www.smolsovet.ru/sgi.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
<!-- statistics -->
| elevation_m             =
| area_km2                = 166.35
| area_km2_ref            = <ref name="BD">{{cite web|url=http://www.gks.ru/scripts/db_inet2/passport/table.aspx?opt=667010002006200720082009201020112012|title=Результат запроса|website=www.gks.ru|access-date=11 May 2019|archive-date=20 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020042110/https://rosstat.gov.ru/scripts/db_inet2/passport/table.aspx?opt=667010002006200720082009201020112012|url-status=live}}</ref>
| pop_2010census          = 326861
| pop_2010census_rank     = 54th
| pop_2010census_ref      = <ref name="2010Census">{{ru-pop-ref|2010Census}}</ref>
| pop_latest              =
| pop_latest_date         =
| pop_latest_ref          =
| population_demonym      =
<!-- history -->
| established_date        = 863
| established_title       = First mentioned
| established_date_ref    = <ref name="gr">{{Cite web|url=https://www.smoladmin.ru/o-smolenske/obschaya-informaciya/|title=Общая информация. О Смоленске. Официальный сайт Администрации города-героя Смоленска|website=www.smoladmin.ru|access-date=7 March 2023|archive-date=17 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317220542/https://www.smoladmin.ru/o-smolenske/obschaya-informaciya/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| current_cat_date        =
| current_cat_date_ref    =
| abolished_date          =
| abolished_date_ref      =
<!-- misc -->
| postal_codes            = 214ХХХ
| postal_codes_ref        =
| dialing_codes           = 4812
| dialing_codes_ref       =
| website                 = http://www.smoladmin.ru
}}'''Smolensk'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|m|ɒ|l|ɛ|n|s|k}},<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/smolensk|title=Definition of 'Smolensk'|website=[[Collins English Dictionary]]|access-date=21 June 2023|archive-date=21 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921040814/http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/smolensk|url-status=live}}</ref> {{IPAc-en|USalso|s|m|oʊ|'|l|ɛ|n|s|k}};<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Smolensk|title=Smolensk|website=[[Merriam-Webster Dictionary]]|access-date=21 June 2023|archive-date=21 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621120800/https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Smolensk|url-status=live}}</ref> {{langx|ru|Смоленск}}, {{IPA|ru|smɐˈlʲensk|IPA|smolensk ru.ogg}}; {{langx|be|Смаленск|Smalensk}}; {{langx|pl|Smoleńsk}} {{IPA|pl|smɔ.lɛɲsk|IPA|Pl-Smoleńsk.ogg}}}} is a [[types of inhabited localities in Russia|city]] and the [[administrative center]] of [[Smolensk Oblast]], [[Russia]], located on the [[Dnieper]] River, {{convert|360|km|sp=us}} west-southwest of [[Moscow]].

First mentioned in 863, it is one of the oldest cities in Russia. It has been a regional capital for most of the past millennium, beginning as the capital of an [[Principality of Smolensk|eponymous principality]] in the 11th-15th centuries, then the [[Smolensk Voivodeship]] of [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania|Lithuania]] and [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth|Poland]], and [[Smolensk Governorate]] and Oblast within Russia. It was the main stronghold of the Smolensk Gate, a geostrategically significant pass between the [[Daugava]] and [[Dnieper]] rivers, and as such was an important point of contention in the struggle for dominance in [[Eastern Europe]], passing at various times between Lithuania, Poland and Russia. In more recent history, it was captured by [[Napoleon]]'s Franco–Polish forces and [[Hitler]]'s Germany during their marches towards [[Moscow]], and was the place of the [[Smolensk air disaster]] of 2010. 

It has a population of {{ru-census2021|316,570|.}}

== Etymology ==
The name of the city is derived from the name of the Smolnya River. Smolnya river flows through Karelian and Murmansk areas of north-western Russia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Государственный водный реестр: река Смольная|url=http://textual.ru/gvr/index.php?card=156856|access-date=13 February 2022|website=textual.ru|archive-date=25 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225071954/http://textual.ru/gvr/index.php?card=156856|url-status=live}}</ref> The origin of the river's name is less clear. One possibility is the old [[Slavic languages|Slavic]] word {{lang|sla|смоль}} ({{lang|sla-Latn|smol'}}) for [[chernozem|black soil]], which might have colored the waters of the Smolnya. An alternative origin could be the [[Russian language|Russian]] word {{lang|ru|смола}} ({{lang|ru-Latn|smola}}), which means [[resin]], [[tar]], or [[pitch (resin)|pitch]]. [[Pine]] trees grow in the area, and the city was once a center of resin processing and trade. The [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] emperor [[Constantine VII]] (r. 913–959) recorded its name as {{lang|grc|Μιλινισκα}} ({{lang|grc-Latn|Miliniska}}).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://faculty.uml.edu/ethan_spanier/Teaching/documents/CP21DeAdministrandoImperio.pdf |title=Byzantine Relations with Northern Peoples in the Tenth Century |author=Paul Stephenson |date=21 April 2000 |access-date=16 April 2012 |archive-date=13 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813164022/http://faculty.uml.edu/ethan_spanier/Teaching/documents/CP21DeAdministrandoImperio.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Geography ==
The city is located in [[European Russia]] on the banks of the upper [[Dnieper River]], which crosses the city within the [[Smolensk Upland]], which is the western part of the [[Smolensk–Moscow Upland]]. The Dnieper River flows through the city from east to west and divides it into two parts: the northern (Zadneprove) and southern (center). Within the city and its surroundings the river takes in several small [[Tributary|tributaries]].

In the valleys are stretched streets, high ridges, hills, and headlands form the mountain. Smolensk is situated on seven hills (mountains). The old part of the city occupies the high, rugged left (south) bank of the Dnieper River. The area features undulating terrain, with a large number of tributaries, creeks and ravines.

== History ==
{{See also|Timeline of Smolensk}}

=== Medieval origins ===
{{see also|Principality of Smolensk}}
[[File:Свирская Церковь.jpg|thumb|left|St. Michael's Church (Svirskaya) was built in 1180–1197 and is one of the few surviving structures in Russia from before the Mongol conquests.]]
Smolensk is among the oldest Russian cities. The first recorded mention of the city was 863 AD, two years after the founding of [[Kievan Rus']]. According to [[Primary Chronicle|Russian Primary Chronicle]], Smolensk (probably located slightly downstream, at the archaeological site of [[Gnezdovo]]) was located on the area settled by the East Slavic [[Radimichs]] tribe in 882 when [[Oleg of Novgorod]] took it in passing from [[Veliky Novgorod|Novgorod]] to [[Kiev]]. The town was first attested two decades earlier, when the [[Varangians|Varangian]] chieftains [[Askold and Dir]], while on their way to Kiev, decided against challenging Smolensk on account of its large size and population.

The first foreign writer to mention the city was the Byzantine Emperor [[Constantine VII|Constantine Porphyrogenitus]]. In ''[[De Administrando Imperio]]'' (c. 950) he described Smolensk as a key station on the [[trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks]]. The [[Rus' people]] sailed from the Baltic region up the [[Daugava River|Western Dvina]] ([[Daugava]]) River as far as they could then they [[portage]]d their boats to the upper [[Dnieper River|Dnieper]]. It was in Smolensk that they supposedly mended any leaks and small holes that might have appeared in their boats from being dragged on the ground and they used [[tar]] to do that, hence the city name.

The [[Principality of Smolensk]] was founded in 1054. Due to its central position in [[Kievan Rus']], the city developed rapidly. By the end of the 12th century, the princedom was one of the strongest in [[Eastern Europe]], so that Smolensk princes frequently controlled the Kievan throne. Numerous [[church (building)|churches]] were built in the city at that time, including the church of Sts.&nbsp;Peter and Paul (1146, reconstructed to its presumed original appearance after [[World War II]]) and the church of St.&nbsp;[[John the Baptist]] (1180, also partly rebuilt). The most remarkable church in the city is called [[Svirskaya Church|Svirskaya]] (1197, still standing); it was admired by contemporaries as the most beautiful structure east of [[Kiev]].

Smolensk had its own [[veche]] since the very beginning of its history. Its power increased after the disintegration of [[Kievan Rus']], and although it was not as strong as the [[Novgorod veche|veche in Novgorod]], the princes had to take its opinion into consideration; several times in 12th and 13th centuries there was an open conflict between them.<ref>{{cite book|title=Смоленская земля в IX-XIII вв.|last=Алексеев|first=Л. В.|year=1980|publisher=Наука|location=Moscow|pages=111–115|language=ru}}</ref>

=== Between Lithuania and Russia ===
{{Quote box |width=25em |align=right |bgcolor=GhostWhite
|title=Historical affiliations
|fontsize=80% |quote=
{{flagicon image|Royal banner of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.svg}} [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania]] 1404–1514<br />{{flagicon image|Banner of Dmitry Donskoy.svg}} [[Grand Principality of Moscow]] 1514–1547<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of the Tzar of Muscovia.svg}} [[Tsardom of Russia]] 1547–1611<br />{{flagicon image|Chorągiew królewska króla Zygmunta III Wazy.svg}} [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth|Poland–Lithuania]] 1611–1656<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of the Tzar of Muscovia.svg}} [[Tsardom of Russia]] 1656–1721<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of Russia.svg}} [[Russian Empire]] 1721–1812<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1974, 2020–present).svg}} [[First French Empire|French occupation]] 1812<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of Russia.svg}} [[Russian Empire]] 1812–1917<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of Russia.svg}} [[Russian Republic]] 1917–1918<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of Belarus (1991-1995).svg}} [[Belarusian People's Republic]] 1918–1919<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of the Lithuanian-Byelorussian SSR.svg}} [[Socialist Soviet Republic of Byelorussia]] 1919<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (1954–1991).svg}} [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian SFSR]] 1919–1922<br />{{flag|Soviet Union}} 1922–1941<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of Germany (1935–1945).svg}} [[Operation Barbarossa|German occupation]] 1941–1943<br />{{flag|Soviet Union}} 1943–1991<br />{{flag|Russia}} 1991–present
}}
Although spared by the [[Mongol invasion of Rus'|Mongol armies]] in 1240, Smolensk paid tribute to the [[Golden Horde]], gradually becoming a pawn in the long struggle between [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania]] and the [[Grand Principality of Moscow]]. The last sovereign monarch of Smolensk was [[Yury of Smolensk]]; during his reign the city was taken by [[Vytautas the Great]] of Lithuania on three occasions: in 1395, 1404, and 1408. After the city's incorporation into the [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania]], some of Smolensk's [[boyar]]s (e.g., the [[Sapieha family|Sapiehas]]) moved to [[Vilnius]]; descendants of the ruling princes (e.g., the [[Tatishchev family|Tatishchevs]], [[Kropotkin]]s, [[Mussorgsky family|Mussorgskys]], [[Vyazemsky (family)|Vyazemskys]]) fled to [[Moscow]].

Three Lithuanian Smolensk regiments took part in the 1410 [[Battle of Grunwald]] against the [[Teutonic Knights]]. It was a severe blow to Lithuania when the city was [[Siege of Smolensk (1514)|taken]] by [[Vasily III of Russia]] in 1514. To commemorate this event, the [[Tsar]] founded the [[Novodevichy Convent]] in Moscow and dedicated it to the [[icon]] of [[Hodegetria|Our Lady of Smolensk]]. The loss of Smolensk to Moscow was the inspiration for ''[[Stańczyk (painting)|Stańczyk]]'', one of the most famous paintings by Polish painter [[Jan Matejko]].

[[File:Smalensk. Смаленск (1610).jpg|thumb|left|Siege of Smolensk (1609–1611) by Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]]
In order to repel future [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth|Polish–Lithuanian]] attacks, [[Boris Godunov]] made it his priority to heavily fortify the city. The [[Smolensk Kremlin|stone kremlin]] constructed in 1597–1602 is the largest in Russia. It features thick walls and numerous watchtowers. Heavy fortifications did not prevent the fortress from being taken by the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]] in 1611 after [[Siege of Smolensk (1609–1611)|a long twenty-month siege]], during the [[Time of Troubles]] and [[Polish–Muscovite War (1605–1618)|Dimitriads]]. Weakened Muscovy temporarily ceded Smolensk land to the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]] in the [[Truce of Deulino]]. The city was granted [[Magdeburg rights]] in 1611 and was the seat of [[Smolensk Voivodeship]] for the next forty-three years.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Никитин |first1=Павел |title=История города Смоленска |date=1848 |publisher=Типография Селивановского |location=Moscow |page=171}}</ref>

To recapture the city, the [[Tsardom of Russia]] launched the so-called "[[Smolensk War]]" against the Commonwealth in 1632. After a defeat at the hands of king [[Władysław IV Vasa|Wladislaw&nbsp;IV]], the city remained in Polish–Lithuanian hands. In 1632, the [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Uniate]] bishop [[Lew Kreuza]] built his apartments in Smolensk; they were later converted into the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] of [[Saint Barbara]]. The [[Russo-Polish War (1654–1667)|hostilities resumed]] in 1654 when the Commonwealth was being affected by the [[Khmelnytsky Uprising]] and the [[Deluge (history)|Swedish deluge]]. After another siege, on 23&nbsp;September 1654, Smolensk was recaptured by Russia. In the 1667 [[Truce of Andrusovo]], the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]] renounced its claims to Smolensk.

=== Modern history ===
[[File:Battle of Smolensk on 18 August 1812.jpg|thumb|left|French and Polish soldiers assault the burning city of Smolensk, 1812.]]
Smolensk has been a special place to Russians for many reasons, not least for the fact that the local [[Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk|cathedral]] housed one of the most venerated [[Russian Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] icons, attributed to [[Luke the Evangelist|St.&nbsp;Luke]]. Building the new Cathedral of the Assumption was a great project which took more than a century to complete. Despite slowly sinking into an economic backwater, Smolensk was still valued by the Tsars as a key fortress defending the route to [[Moscow]]. It was made the seat of [[Smolensk Governorate]] in 1708.

In August 1812, two of the largest [[Grande Armée|armies]] ever assembled clashed in Smolensk. During the [[Battle of Smolensk (1812)|hard-fought battle]], described by [[Leo Tolstoy]] in ''[[War and Peace]]'' (Book Three Part Two Chapter 4), [[Napoleon I|Napoleon]] entered the city. Total losses were estimated at 30,000 men. Apart from other military monuments, central Smolensk features the Eagles monument, unveiled in 1912 to mark the centenary of [[French invasion of Russia|Napoleon's Russian campaign]].

[[File:Smolensk 1912.jpg|thumb|View of Smolensk in 1912. Early colour photograph by [[Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky|Sergei Prokudin-Gorskii]]]]
At the beginning of [[World War I]], the 56th Smolensk Infantry Division was first assigned to the [[1st Army (Russian Empire)|First Army]] of the [[Imperial Russian Army]]. They fought at the [[Battle of Tannenberg (1914)|Battle of Tannenberg]]. It was subsequently transferred to the [[10th Army (Russian Empire)|10th Army]] and fought at the [[Second Battle of the Masurian Lakes]]. [[Treaty of Brest-Litovsk|In March 1918]], the [[Belarusian People's Republic]], proclaimed in [[Minsk]] under the German occupation, declared Smolensk part of it. In February–December 1918, Smolensk was home to the headquarters of the Western Front, North-West Oblast Bolshevik Committee and [[Western Oblast (1917–1918)|Western Oblast]] Executive Committee. On 1&nbsp;January 1919, the [[Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic]] was proclaimed in Smolensk,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Marples|first1=D.|title=Belarus: From Soviet Rule to Nuclear Catastrophe|date=2016|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-0-230-37831-5|page=11|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=evVZCwAAQBAJ&q=1+january+1919+belorussian+soviet+republic+smolensk|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=22 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322152348/https://books.google.com/books?id=evVZCwAAQBAJ&q=1+january+1919+belorussian+soviet+republic+smolensk|url-status=live}}</ref> but its government moved to Minsk as soon as the German forces had been driven out of the city several days later.

=== Soviet period ===
In 1940, {{convert|18|km|0|abbr=on}} from Smolensk, the [[Katyn Massacre]] occurred, in which some 22,000 Polish [[POW]]s were murdered by the [[NKVD]]. At this time Boris Menshagin was mayor of Smolensk, with his deputy Boris Bazilevsky. Both of them would be [[Katyn massacre#Katyn in judicial proceedings|key witnesses]] in the [[Nuremberg Trials]] over the massacre.<ref>Sanford, George. ''Katyn and the Soviet Massacre of 1940: Truth, Justice and Memory, Part 804'', 2005, p. 140. {{ISBN|978-0-415-33873-8}}.</ref>

[[File:Смоленск во время оккупации.jpg|thumb|left|Smolensk under German occupation, 1941.]]
During [[World War II]], Smolensk once again saw wide-scale fighting during the [[Battle of Smolensk (1941)|first Battle of Smolensk]] when the city was captured by the Germans on 16&nbsp;July 1941. The first Soviet counteroffensive against the German army was launched in August but failed. However, the limited Soviet victories outside the city halted the German advance for a crucial two months, granting time to Moscow's defenders to prepare in earnest. Over 93% of the city was destroyed during the fighting; the ancient icon of [[Our Lady of Smolensk]] was lost. Nevertheless, it escaped total destruction. In late 1943, [[Hermann Göring]] had ordered [[Gotthard Heinrici]] to destroy Smolensk in accordance with the Nazi "scorched earth" policy. He refused and was punished for it. The city was finally liberated on 25&nbsp;September 1943, during the [[Battle of Smolensk (1943)|second Battle of Smolensk]]. The rare title of [[Hero City (Soviet Union)|Hero City]] was bestowed on Smolensk after the war.

After the Germans captured the city in 1941, they found the intact archives of the Smolensk Oblast Committee of the Communist Party, the so-called [[Smolensk Archive]]. The archive was moved to Germany, and a significant part of it eventually ended up in the United States, providing Western scholars and intelligence specialists with unique information during the [[Cold War]] on the local workings of the Soviet government during its first two decades. The archives were returned to Russia by the United States in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.volgagermans.net/volgagermans/Volga%20German%20News.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129093006/http://www.volgagermans.net/volgagermans/Volga%20German%20News.htm|url-status=dead|title=None|archivedate=29 January 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2002/spring/spoils-of-war-3.html |title=Prologue: Selected Articles |publisher=Archives.gov |date=19 October 2011 |access-date=24 December 2011 |archive-date=19 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719220459/https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2002/spring/spoils-of-war-3.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Recent events ===
[[File:Katastrofa w Smoleńsku.jpg|thumb|Wreckage from the Polish Tu-154 shortly after the [[Smolensk air disaster]], 2010]]
On 10&nbsp;April 2010, a [[2010 Polish Air Force Tu-154 crash|Tu-154 military jet carrying Polish president Lech Kaczyński]], his wife, and many notable political and military figures crashed in a wooded area near Smolensk while approaching the local military airport. All ninety-six passengers died immediately on impact. The purpose of the visit was to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the [[Katyn massacre]].

In June 2013, archaeologists of the [[Russian Academy of Sciences]] discovered and unearthed ancient temples in Smolensk dated to the middle to second half of the 12th century, built on the left bank of the Dnieper River. At the time the city was the capital of [[Smolensk principality]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=51592|title=Интерфакс-Религия: Археологи обнаружили в Смоленске храм XII века|website=www.interfax-religion.ru|access-date=22 February 2014|archive-date=4 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304215050/http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=51592|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2013, Smolensk widely celebrated its 1,150th anniversary with funds spent on different construction and renovation projects in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://smolgazeta.ru/economic/5814-1150-letie-smolenska-ot-proektov-k-realizacii.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415162550/http://www.smolgazeta.ru/economic/5814-1150-letie-smolenska-ot-proektov-k-realizacii.html|url-status=dead|title=1150-летие Смоленска: от проектов к реализации|archivedate=15 April 2014|website=smolgazeta.ru}}</ref> In celebration the [[Central Bank of Russia]] issued [[commemorative coin]]s made of precious metals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.35kopeek.ru/news/k-1150-letiyu-osnovaniya-smolenska-otchekanili-pamyatnye-monety-iz-dragocennyx-metallov.html|title=К 1150-летию основания Смоленска отчеканили памятные монеты из драгоценных металлов|website=www.35kopeek.ru|access-date=22 February 2014|archive-date=15 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415073146/http://www.35kopeek.ru/news/k-1150-letiyu-osnovaniya-smolenska-otchekanili-pamyatnye-monety-iz-dragocennyx-metallov.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations|cols=2|align=left|1897|47000|1926|73520|1939|156884|1959|147196|1970|210779|1979|276402|1989|341483|2002|325137|2010|326861|2021|316570|type=|footnote=Source: Census data}}
{{clear|left}}

== Attractions ==
Owing to its long and rich history, Smolensk is home to many examples of [[Russian architecture]] ranging from the [[Kievan Rus]] period to post-WWII [[Stalinist architecture|Stalinist style]]. Although the city was destroyed several times over, many historically and culturally significant buildings remain, including a large number of churches and cathedrals. The most famous of these are the [[Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk|Cathedral of the Assumption]], the [[Immaculate Conception Church, Smolensk|Immaculate Conception Church]], and the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, which is one of the few structures from before the Mongol invasion remaining in Russia.
<gallery widths="150" heights="150" perrow="5">
File:Смоленск. Дом Энгельгардта..JPG|House [[Engelhardt family|Engelhardt]]
File:Смоленск. Дом Будникова..JPG|House Budnikova
File:Смоленск. Сбербанк..JPG|Sberbank Building
File:Смоленск. Здание 1930-х годов..JPG|Editorial office of the newspaper Krasnoarmeyskaya Pravda
File:Смоленск. Концертный зал филармонии..JPG|Smolensk Philharmonic Concert Hall
File:Smolensk train station.jpg|[[Smolensk railway station]]
File:Смоленск. Здание универмага..JPG|Department Store building
File:Смоленский драматический театр.JPG|The A. Griboedov Smolensk Drama Theater
</gallery>

=== The Smolensk Kremlin ===
The [[Smolensk Kremlin]], built at the end of the 16th century during the reign of Tsars [[Feodor I of Russia|Fyodor I Ioannovich]] and [[Boris Godunov]], under the supervision of the architect [[Fyodor Kon]],  is one of the greatest achievements of Russian medieval architecture and military engineering.
<gallery widths="150" heights="150">
File:BD090090(2).jpg|The walls of Smolensk
File:Федор Конь.jpg|Monument to [[Fyodor Kon]]
File:Bub.jpg|Bubleika Tower
File:Надвратная церковь Одигитрии задний вид.jpg|Dnieper Gate
File:Башня Орел вечером.jpg|Oryol Tower
</gallery>

=== Churches and cathedrals ===
<gallery widths="150" heights="150" perrow="5">
File:Вид вечером.jpg|[[Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk|Cathedral of the Assumption]]
File:Smolensk Catholic Church 2.JPG|[[Immaculate Conception Church, Smolensk|Immaculate Conception Church]]
File:Свирская Церковь.jpg|Church of St. Michael the Archangel
File:Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul on Gorodyanka in Smolensk (2013-11-08) 06.JPG|Church of St. Peter and St. Paul on Gorodyanska
File:Церковь Иоанна Богослова.JPG|Temple of St. John the Divine
File:Смоленск. Церковь Николая Чудотворца..JPG|Church of St. Nicholas
File:Смоленск. Вознесенский собор..JPG|Ascension Cathedral
File:Смоленск. Богоявленский собор..JPG|Epiphany Cathedral
File:Avraamiev monastery in Smolensk - the view from the tower Zaaltarnoy.JPG|Savior-Transfiguration Avraamiev Monastery
File:Smolensk Trinity Monastery Holy Trinity Cathedral IMG 1913 2175.jpg|Holy Trinity Cathedral
</gallery>

=== Monuments ===
Being the site of many great battles in Russian history, Smolensk is home to many monuments commemorating its rich military history.
<gallery widths="150" heights="150" perrow="4">
File:Opalennyiy tsvetok, Scorched Flower.jpg|The Scorched Flower, a monument to child prisoners of Nazi concentration camps
File:Tvardovsky Monument Smolensk.JPG|Monument to [[Alexander Tvardovsky]] and [[Vasily Terkin]]
</gallery>

==== Lopatinsky garden ====
<gallery widths="150" heights="150" perrow="4">
File:Памятник Софийскому полку в Смоленске.JPG|Monument to the [[2nd Sofia Infantry Regiment]]
File:Смоленск. Пушка в Лопатинском саду..JPG|Cannon in Lopatinsky garden
File:Смоленск. Лопатинский сад..JPG|Monument to the defenders of Smolensk
</gallery>

==== Square of Memory of Heroes ====
<gallery widths="150" heights="150" perrow="4">
File:Smolensk skver pamyati geroyev.jpg|View of the Heroes' Square
File:Смоленск. Памятник Благодарная Россия..JPG|The "Grateful Russia" Monument, commemorating the centenary of the Russian victory over Napoleon
File:Смоленск. Бюст Кутузова в Сквере Памяти Героев.JPG|The bust of [[Mikhail Kutuzov]]
</gallery>

=== Education buildings ===
<gallery widths="150" heights="150" perrow="4">
File:Смоленск. Университет..JPG|[[Smolensk State University]] building
File:Russia sgtep april2007.jpg|Smolensk Polytechnic College building
File:Смоленск. Академия физической культуры..JPG|Smolensk Academy of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism building
File:Смоленск. Колледж телекоммуникаций..JPG|Smolensk College of Telecommunications building
</gallery>

=== Post-war Stalinist buildings ===
<gallery widths="150" heights="150" perrow="4">
File:Смоленск. Здание советского периода..JPG
File:Смоленск. Жилой дом..JPG
File:Смоленск. Сталинка..JPG
</gallery>

== Administrative and municipal status ==
Smolensk serves as the administrative center of the ''[[oblast]]'' and, within the [[subdivisions of Russia#Administrative divisions|framework of administrative divisions]], it also serves as the administrative center of [[Smolensky District, Smolensk Oblast|Smolensky District]], even though it is not a part of it.<ref name="Ref138">Resolution #261</ref> As an administrative division, it is incorporated separately as '''Smolensk [[City of federal subject significance|Urban Okrug]]'''—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the [[administrative divisions of Smolensk Oblast|districts]].<ref name="Ref138" /> As a [[subdivisions of Russia#Municipal divisions|municipal division]], this administrative unit also has urban okrug status.<ref name="Ref223">Decision #164</ref>

== Politics ==
Chairman of the City Council of the VI convocation (since 24 December 2021) – Anatoly Ovsyankin ([[United Russia]]).

The Smolensk City Council of the VI convocation was elected on 13 September 2020. The party composition of the current city council is as follows: United Russia – 23 deputies, the [[Communist Party of the Russian Federation]] – 4 deputies, the [[Liberal Democratic Party of Russia]] – 1 deputy, [[A Just Russia]] – 1 deputy, [[Russian Party of Pensioners for Social Justice|Party of Pensioners]] – 1 deputy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smolsovet.ru/deputat/VI%20%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B7%D1%8B%D0%B2/%D0%94%D0%B5%D0%BF%D1%83%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%8B%20VI%20%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B7%D1%8B%D0%B2.php |title=Смоленский городской Совет |trans-title=Smolensk City Council |access-date=20 October 2023 |archive-date=28 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528105904/https://www.smolsovet.ru/deputat/VI%20%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B7%D1%8B%D0%B2/%D0%94%D0%B5%D0%BF%D1%83%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%8B%20VI%20%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B7%D1%8B%D0%B2.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Climate ==
Smolensk has a warm-summer [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Dfb''). By European standards, the climate is quite cold for its latitude on [[54th parallel north|54°N]]. The far inland position warms springs up relatively quickly, with May being quite a bit milder than September.

{{Weather box
|location = Smolensk (1991–2020, extremes 1887–present)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|width = auto
|Jan record high C = 9.3
|Feb record high C = 9.0
|Mar record high C = 23.3
|Apr record high C = 28.0
|May record high C = 30.6
|Jun record high C = 33.3
|Jul record high C = 34.5
|Aug record high C = 37.2
|Sep record high C = 29.5
|Oct record high C = 24.8
|Nov record high C = 14.6
|Dec record high C = 9.8
|year record high C = 37.2
|Jan high C = -3.5
|Feb high C = -2.6
|Mar high C = 3.0
|Apr high C = 11.7
|May high C = 18.3
|Jun high C = 21.5
|Jul high C = 23.6
|Aug high C = 22.3
|Sep high C = 16.6
|Oct high C = 9.2
|Nov high C = 2.0
|Dec high C = -2.1
|year high C = 10.0
|Jan mean C = -5.8
|Feb mean C = -5.5
|Mar mean C = -0.8
|Apr mean C = 6.7
|May mean C = 12.7
|Jun mean C = 16.1
|Jul mean C = 18.2
|Aug mean C = 16.7
|Sep mean C = 11.4
|Oct mean C = 5.5
|Nov mean C = -0.2
|Dec mean C = -4.2
|year mean C = 5.9
|Jan low C = -8.4
|Feb low C = -8.6
|Mar low C = -4.3
|Apr low C = 2.0
|May low C = 7.3
|Jun low C = 10.8
|Jul low C = 13.1
|Aug low C = 11.8
|Sep low C = 7.1
|Oct low C = 2.3
|Nov low C = -2.4
|Dec low C = -6.4
|year low C = 2.0
|Jan record low C = -37.9
|Feb record low C = -36.8
|Mar record low C = -28.1
|Apr record low C = -15.9
|May record low C = -5.4
|Jun record low C = -0.7
|Jul record low C = 4.4
|Aug record low C = 0.3
|Sep record low C = -4.4
|Oct record low C = -12.8
|Nov record low C = -23.8
|Dec record low C = -35.2
|year record low C = -37.9
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 48
|Feb precipitation mm = 45
|Mar precipitation mm = 44
|Apr precipitation mm = 39
|May precipitation mm = 73
|Jun precipitation mm = 82
|Jul precipitation mm = 88
|Aug precipitation mm = 84
|Sep precipitation mm = 61
|Oct precipitation mm = 71
|Nov precipitation mm = 57
|Dec precipitation mm = 51
|year precipitation mm = 743
|Jan snow depth cm = 19
|Feb snow depth cm = 25
|Mar snow depth cm = 22
|Apr snow depth cm = 2
|May snow depth cm = 0
|Jun snow depth cm = 0
|Jul snow depth cm = 0
|Aug snow depth cm = 0
|Sep snow depth cm = 0
|Oct snow depth cm = 0
|Nov snow depth cm = 4
|Dec snow depth cm = 11
|year snow depth cm = 25
|Jan rain days = 9
|Feb rain days = 8
|Mar rain days = 10
|Apr rain days = 15
|May rain days = 17
|Jun rain days = 18
|Jul rain days = 16
|Aug rain days = 16
|Sep rain days = 16
|Oct rain days = 18
|Nov rain days = 15
|Dec rain days = 11
|year rain days = 169
|Jan snow days = 25
|Feb snow days = 22
|Mar snow days = 16
|Apr snow days = 5
|May snow days = 1
|Jun snow days = 0
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Sep snow days = 1
|Oct snow days = 4
|Nov snow days = 15
|Dec snow days = 23
|year snow days = 112
|Jan humidity = 87
|Feb humidity = 84
|Mar humidity = 78
|Apr humidity = 69
|May humidity = 69
|Jun humidity = 75
|Jul humidity = 77
|Aug humidity = 79
|Sep humidity = 83
|Oct humidity = 85
|Nov humidity = 89
|Dec humidity = 89
|year humidity = 80
|Jan sun = 35.5
|Feb sun = 65.4
|Mar sun = 134.8
|Apr sun = 190.3
|May sun = 259.5
|Jun sun = 287.0
|Jul sun = 288.5
|Aug sun = 248.7
|Sep sun = 159.3
|Oct sun = 83.2
|Nov sun = 31.0
|Dec sun = 21.9
|year sun =
|source 1 = Pogoda.ru.net<ref name=pogoda>{{cite web
| url = http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate/26781.htm
| title = Weather and Climate-The Climate of Somlensk
| language = ru
| publisher = Weather and Climate (Погода и климат)
| access-date = 8 November 2021
| archive-date = 25 April 2016
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160425171648/http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate/26781.htm
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
|source 2 = [[NOAA]]<ref name = NOAA>{{cite web
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/RussianFederation/CSV/Smolensk_26781.csv
| title = Smolensk Climate Normals 1991–2020
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = 30 October 2021
| archive-date = 30 October 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211030150256/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/RussianFederation/CSV/Smolensk_26781.csv
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
|date=December 2011

}}

== Economy ==
Smolensk has several factories including the [[Smolensk Aviation Plant]] and several electronics and agricultural machinery factories.

=== Transportation ===
[[File:Smolensk railway station.jpg|thumb|right|[[Smolensk railway station]]]]
Smolensk is located on the [[M1 highway (Russia)|M1 main highway]] and [[Moscow–Brest Railway]]. Since 1870, there is a railway connection between Smolensk and Moscow.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nnov-airport.ru/rus/wokzal_smolensk.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323173513/http://www.nnov-airport.ru/rus/wokzal_smolensk.html|url-status=dead|title=Train Station in Smolensk|language=ru|archivedate=23 March 2012}}</ref> Local public transport includes buses and trolleybuses.
Public transportation network includes buses, trolleybuses, trams, and ''[[marshrutka]]s''.

There are two airports located in the outskirts of the city; [[Smolensk South Airport|Smolensk South]] (civilian) and [[Smolensk North Airport|Smolensk North]] (military); however, there are no regular flights scheduled to Smolensk South Airport.

=== Education ===
Smolensk is home to the [[Smolensk State University]] (SMOLGU) and the Smolensk State Medical University (affiliated as university in 2015) (SSMU); together with colleges of further education and other educational institutes.

== Twin towns – sister cities ==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Russia}}
Smolensk is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web|title=Города-побратимы|url=https://www.smoladmin.ru/o-smolenske/mezhdunarodnye-i-mezhmunicipalnye-svyazi/goroda-pobratimy/|website=smoladmin.ru|publisher=Smolensk|language=ru|access-date=21 December 2020|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626163133/https://www.smoladmin.ru/o-smolenske/mezhdunarodnye-i-mezhmunicipalnye-svyazi/goroda-pobratimy/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Colorado Springs Sister Cities International|url=https://coloradosprings.gov/sistercities|website=coloradosprings.gov|date=30 April 2018|publisher=City of Colorado Springs|access-date=21 December 2020|archive-date=6 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806234756/https://coloradosprings.gov/sistercities|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=21em}}
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]], United States (1993– suspended 2022)<ref>{{Citation | title=Colorado Springs Suspends Sister City Partnership With Russian City | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-springs-ukraine-smolensk-sister-city/ | date=7 March 2022 | access-date=9 December 2022 | archive-date=9 December 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209095408/https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-springs-ukraine-smolensk-sister-city/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Hagen]], Germany (1985)
* {{flagicon|UKR}} [[Kerch]], Ukraine (2000)
* {{flagicon|SRB}} [[Kragujevac]], Serbia (2009)
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Targovishte Municipality|Targovishte]], Bulgaria (2002)
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Tulle]], France (1981)
* {{flagicon|BLR}} [[Vitebsk]], Belarus
<!--Warsaw, Zhytomyr – not twinning/twinning ended-->
{{div col end}}

== Notable people ==
* Ivan Ivanovich Baryatinsky (1772–1825), Russian Rurikid Prince; father of Prince [[Aleksandr Baryatinsky]].<ref>[https://www.myheritage.com/names/leonilla_baryatinskaya Leonilla Baryatinskaya] My Heritage</ref>
* [[Yuri Gagarin]] (1934–1968), cosmonaut
* [[Timofey Mikhaylov]] (1859–1881), revolutionary, one of the assassins of [[Tsar Alexander II]]
* [[Grigorii Maksimov]] (1893–1950), politician
* [[Fyodor Glinka]] (1786–1880) a Russian poet and author.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Glinka, Fedor Nikolaevich |volume= 12 | page = 122 |short= 1 }}</ref>
* [[Mikhail Glinka]] (1804 in Novospasskoye – 1857), composer.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Glinka, Michael Ivanovich |volume= 12 | page = 122 |short= 1 }}</ref>
* [[Sergey Glinka]] (1774–1847) a minor Russian author of the Romantic period.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Glinka, Sergy Nikolaevich |volume= 12 | page = 123 |short= 1 }}</ref>
* [[Anatoly Kharlampiyev]] (1906–1979), founder of [[Sambo (martial art)|Sambo]]
* [[Eduard Khil]] (1934–2012), singer
* [[Patriarch Kirill of Moscow]] (born 1946), religious leader
* [[Sergey Konenkov]] (1874–1971), sculptor
* [[Semyon Lavochkin]] (1900–1960), aircraft designer
* [[Morris Markin]] (1893–1970), businessman and founder of [[Checker Motors Corporation]]
* [[Viktor Vladimirovich Nemytskii|Viktor Nemytskii]] (1900–1967), mathematician
* [[Grigory Potyomkin]] (1739 at Chizheva – 1791), statesman.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Potemkin, Grigory Aleksandrovich, Prince | volume= 22 |last= Bain |first= Robert Nisbet |author-link= Robert Nisbet Bain| page = 22 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Andrey Starovoytov]], (1915–1997), IIHF Hall of Fame inductee
* [[Aleksandr Tvardovsky]] (1910–1971), writer

== Honors ==
[[Smolensk Strait]] between [[Livingston Island]] and [[Deception Island]] in the [[South Shetland Islands]], [[Antarctica]] is named after the city.<ref>[https://data.aad.gov.au/aadc/gaz/scar/display_name.cfm?gaz_id=137422 Smolensk Strait.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512225237/https://data.aad.gov.au/aadc/gaz/scar/display_name.cfm?gaz_id=137422 |date=12 May 2014 }} [[Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research|SCAR]] [[Composite Antarctic Gazetteer]].</ref><ref>Ivanov, L. [https://web.archive.org/web/20150708084208/http://livingston-island.weebly.com/ General Geography and History of Livingston Island.] In: ''Bulgarian Antarctic Research: A Synthesis''. Eds. C. Pimpirev and N. Chipev. Sofia: St. Kliment Ohridski University Press, 2015. pp.&nbsp;17–28. {{ISBN|978-954-07-3939-7}}</ref>

A Soviet post [[World War II]] project planned the creation of a [[light cruiser]] vessel named Smolensk. It was never constructed.

== See also ==
* [[Battle of Orsha]]
* [[Immaculate Conception Church, Smolensk]]
* [[Coat of arms of Smolensk]]

== References ==
=== Notes ===
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

=== Sources ===
{{Reflist}}
* {{RussiaAdmMunRef|smo|adm|list}}
* {{RussiaBasicLawRef|smo|smolensk}}
* "Była notatka o opcjach prawnych śledztwa". Były dyplomata o katastrofie smoleńskiej – [[Polsat News]], polsatnews.pl [dostęp 2020-03-18] (pol.)https://www.polsatnews.pl/wiadomosc/2016-10-24/byla-notatka-o-opcjach-prawnych-sledztwa-byly-dyplomata-o-katastrofie-smolenskiej/.

== Bibliography ==
{{See also|Timeline of Smolensk#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Smolensk}}

== External links ==
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Smolensk (town) |volume= 25 | page = 278 |short= 1 }}
* {{in lang|ru}} [http://www.smoladmin.ru/ Official website of Smolensk]
* {{in lang|ru}} [http://www.visitsmolensk.ru/ Travel in Smolensk]
* {{in lang|ru}} [http://www.smolensk2.ru/ Smolensk news]
* {{in lang|ru}} [http://live.smolensk.ws/ Smolensk Wiki]
* {{in lang|ru}} [http://www.krepost-smolensk.ru/ Homepage of the Smolensk fortress]
* [http://www.krepost-smolensk.ru/fotoal-bom/gallery/ Some photos of the Smolensk fortress]
* [http://live.smolensk.ws/index.php/%D0%92%D0%B8%D0%B4%D1%8B_%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B0 More photos of Smolensk] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051103171305/http://live.smolensk.ws/index.php/%D0%92%D0%B8%D0%B4%D1%8B_%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B0 |date=3 November 2005 }}
* (in English) [http://tour2moscow.com/ww2-battlefields/ Smolensk photos in Soviet times, 1983 in color]
* [http://www.bfcollection.net/cities/russia/smolensk/smolensk.html Historic images of Smolensk]
* {{in lang|ru}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20080522101721/http://orangeball.org/ Basketball in Smolensk]
* {{in lang|ru}} [http://www.smolsport.ru/ News of Smolensk sport]
* {{in lang|ru}} [http://www.smolmed.ru/ News of Smolensk medicine]
* [http://www.yadvashem.org/untoldstories/database/index.asp?cid=675 The murder of the Jews of Smolensk] during [[World War II]], at [[Yad Vashem]] website.
* {{JewishGen-LocalityPage|3006140|Smolensk, Russia}}
* [http://sgmu.org/ Smolensk State Medical University]
* {{Wikivoyage inline}}
{{Smolensk Oblast}}
{{Major fortresses of Western Russia}}
{{Hero Cities}}
{{Gardariki}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Smolensk| ]]
[[Category:Forts in Russia]]
[[Category:Portages]]
[[Category:Populated places on the Dnieper in Russia]]