The history of Smolensk has more than eleven centuries. This is one of the oldest cities in Russia. He entered the structure of Kievan Rus at the end of the 9th century. After the Baptism of Rus, Orthodoxy found fertile soil in Smolensk. In the 12th century, the Principality of Smolensk developed rapidly, about 40 thousand inhabitants lived in its capital, and even Kiev was overtaken by the pace of building Orthodox churches, throughout Smolensk stone churches were known throughout Russia, more than thirty of them were built in the 12th century.
Western outpost of Orthodoxy
The geographical position of Smolensk brought him both prosperity and misfortune. The city lay on the trade routes connecting East and West, South and North, which contributed to its development, but made the conquerors a desired goal. In the 13th century, the city was captured by the Tatar-Mongols, but the Asian conquerors tolerated the religions of the conquered peoples, so the Smolensk church was practically not affected.
In 1404, the city fell in front of the Lithuanian troops of Prince Vitovt. Not wanting to increase the conflicts in the conquered city, the wise Vytautas gave its inhabitants the right to choose a religion of their choice. However, his followers began to oppress the Orthodox. Catholics occupied all important posts, the Orthodox Church was deprived of privileges and removed from public life. In 1515, the Smolensk region returned to Russia, most of the townspeople met with liberation, without betraying the faith of their ancestors.
In 1611, after a long siege, Smolensk was captured by the Poles, taking advantage of the troubled hard times in the Russian state. They immediately fought a fierce struggle with Orthodoxy. King Sigismund ordered the construction of a Catholic cathedral on the ruins of the Assumption Church. Everywhere the churches of Smolensk turned into churches, and the Smolyans tried to forcibly convert to an alien Latin faith. Having stumbled upon the total rejection of Catholicism, the Poles created a Uniate, intermediate church, but this did not win the hearts of the townspeople. In 1654, the Poles were expelled by Russian troops, and the rights of Orthodoxy were fully restored.
The city underwent severe trials during the invasion of Napoleon, and especially in the Second World War, when churches were robbed and destroyed. Whether it was thanks to a happy fate or the will of God, but in Smolensk quite a few churches survived that survived a series of devastating wars and religious intolerance. Moreover, the city has three unique temples that were built before the Tatar-Mongol yoke. And, of course, the Assumption Cathedral, which is the Orthodox center and the main decoration of the city, stands out among the temples and churches of Smolensk.
Holy Assumption Cathedral
Smolensk lies on seven hills, like the golden-domed Moscow or stately Rome. For tourists and Orthodox pilgrims, the most interesting hill is undoubtedly Soborny. It is easy to find him, because the main church of Smolensk crowns him. A photo of the Assumption Cathedral is found in almost all guidebooks and reports on the city, a rare foreign and Russian traveler ignores the beautiful white and turquoise church, which seems to soar above Smolensk.
The temple on this site appeared more than nine centuries ago, in 1101. In 1611, he was blown up by the city’s defenders during the Polish siege. The first stone of the new cathedral was laid in 1677, the construction lasted almost a century, it ended only in 1772. Although the cathedral was plundered by the Napoleonic conquerors and soldiers of the Wehrmacht, it practically did not change its appearance.
The graceful five-domed baroque church has a height of 69 m, but visually it seems much higher because it is built on an impressive hill. The decoration of the cathedral is rich, as befits the main temple of the city, but even in its magnificent surroundings, a carved 30-meter iconostasis of linden stands out clearly, which immediately catches the eye of tourists and parishioners. The iconostasis has five tiers, is decorated with many icons, patterns and figures.
Peter and Paul Church
The oldest church in Smolensk was built in the mid-12th century, presumably in 1146. At first it was the prince's house church, and in 1168 it became a parish. It is a vivid example of the architecture of pre-Mongolian times: a four-pillar single-domed temple built of plinth - a special tiled brick. In its strict proportions and lines, in a rather flat dome, the Byzantine influence is guessed, which especially contrasts with the neighboring church of St. Barbara, built in the 18th century.
Before the Assumption Cathedral, the Church of Peter and Paul was the main Orthodox church in Smolensk. True, during the Polish rule, a Catholic church was organized in it. In 1812 it was plundered by the French, in 1935 it was closed by the Soviet authorities, during the Second World War it was severely destroyed, restored in the 60s of the last century.
Church of St. John the Evangelist
This small but very cozy temple was built on the banks of the Dnieper in 1173. After the arrival of the Poles in 1611, it was, like many Smolensk churches, turned into a church, then devastated during the Napoleonic invasion, restored after the war, but divine services were resumed only in 1993. It is a one-domed crescent-shaped temple made of plinth, has three semicircular apse.
Church of the Archangel Michael
One of the most beautiful and oldest churches of Smolensk appeared at the end of the 12th century on a hill above the Dnieper near the John the Theologian Church. On giving, it was ordered to be erected by David Rostislavovich - Prince of Smolensk. He wanted to build a temple, which surpasses other city temples in grandeur and beauty. In many ways, the plan was a success, in the annals there are enough enthusiastic words about the magnificent decoration and beauty of the church of Michael towering over the river.
Like many churches in Smolensk, the temple survived Lithuanian oppression, conversion to a church during the arrival of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, plunder by the French, but miraculously practically did not suffer during the battles of the Second World War and therefore remained in medieval form. It is a beautiful cross-domed church 38.5 meters high with one semicircular apse and one dome.