Traveling in Russia every year chooses an increasing number of our compatriots. Do you want to admire the picturesque beauties of nature, change the atmosphere and see historical monuments of architecture? You do not have to buy tickets abroad, just go to a neighboring region. A great place to travel is Smolensk. What are the most interesting sights of Smolensk region ?
The legendary Katyn
Start your journey around the Smolensk area with a visit to the memorial complex. In 1940, in these places, NKVD officers shot several thousand captured officers from Poland who were arrested during the Soviet occupation of Polish lands. This is a scandalous crime, since a secret burial was discovered by German troops back in 1943. At the same time, the international commission pleaded guilty to the USSR in the commission of this massacre. However, after the end of the Second World War, an investigation was conducted on the orders of the Soviet authorities, during which it was possible to "find out" that the Germans allegedly carried out the executions in 1941. Only in 1990 justice was restored and documents related to the mass killings in the region were declassified. Very soon, the Katyn
memorial complex dedicated to the memory of the victims of the NKVD appeared. According to some reports, victims of repressions were shot here right up to the 40s of the last century. Today, the memorial consists of Russian and Polish parts, there is a long wall with memorial plates on which the names of the deceased officers are embossed and
mass graves are decorated
. Also in the memorial complex is a pavilion at the main entrance, where you can see the commemorative exhibition "The totalitarian past of the Smolensk region."
In the footsteps of great people in the Smolensk region
Many prominent personalities were born and worked and lived and worked in the
Smolensk region . She is most famous as the birthplace of the famous traveler and explorer N. M. Przhevalsky. In the village of Przhevalskoye today is open to visitors the house-museum of Nikolai Mikhailovich. Nearby are other interesting sights of the Smolensk region, such as the Museum of Partisan Glory. Smolensk region is also famous as the place where the composer M.I. Glinka was born and raised. In the village of Novospassky you can visit his memorial museum, organized in the house of father Mikhail Ivanovich. The village of Khmelita in the Smolensk region is the birthplace of the writer A. S. Griboedov, today there is a museum-reserve where you can learn more about the life and work of the great writer.
Natural attractions
It is often said that Smolensk is a forest region. Indeed, approximately 40% of the region is a mixed forest, characterized by the richness and diversity of flora and fauna. Famous natural attractions of the Smolensk region: Smolensk Lake District and Gagarinsky Natural Park. Today these are protected areas of federal importance, in which serious work is being done to protect, study and maintain natural ecosystems. Here you can see the rarest plants and amazing animals, as well as admire the picturesque natural views.
What else to see in the Smolensk region?
When traveling in the Smolensk region, it makes sense to call in one of the oldest cities in the region - Vyazma. This settlement was founded in 1239, to this day unique ancient buildings have been preserved here, for example, the real pearl of Russian architecture - the Hodegetria Church. Of interest to tourists are not only the ancient cities of the Smolensk region. One of the modern attractions - Demidov. This is a small town, famous as the birthplace of the famous artist Yuri Nikulin. Another favorite place for tourists in Smolensk is the historical and architectural complex “Teremok” in the village of Flenovo. Once there was a unique art center in which prominent painters, sculptors and musicians stayed and created at different times. Today in Flenovo you can see the following attractions of the Smolensk region: the Teremok building (built in 1901), the Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit (built in 1902-1903) and the building of the Agricultural School.