The Smolensk Art Gallery features original masterpieces of Aivazovsky, Repin and Rerikh, a number of paintings dating back to the 15th century. Different interesting exhibitions show the development of Russian and European schools of oil painting. The Art Gallery displays mostly original works that many famous world museums would be glad to obtain.
Gromovaja (Thunder) Tower is one of the most beautiful and famous towers of the Smolensk Fortress. During a typical excursion the guide will describe the technologies of fort engineering in the original tower of the 13th century. The museum inside of the tower contains well-made models of the city in different time periods. You can enjoy exhibitions devoted to Polish and French wars, fine specimens of weaponry and armour of the period. Besides, on the top of Gromovaja Tower there is an observation area where you can get the best possible impression of the historical centre of the City
If you are fond of sport or just want to find out some details about the Olympic Games, it’s worth visiting the Smolensk Olympic Museum. It is one of the several Olympic Museums in the world and the only one in Russia. Here one can discover various Olympic symbols connected with different periods of Olympic movement development from the ancient times to nowadays: badges, flags, coins, streamers, medals, skis, balls and other sporting implements with the autographs of world-wide famous sportsmen.
Flax industry is one of the most wide-spread industries in Smolensk Region. Only here, in Smolensk Region, you can find such a wide selection of flax goods. In Smolensk Museum of Flax one can see equipment that was used for growing flax and for making goods out of it many centuries ago. You can also find here original flax clothes that were popular with our ancestors. The Museum “Smolensk Flax” is a perfect place for getting acquainted with authentic Russian culture.
Smolensk Museum of Russian Vodka is located in Pjatnizkaja tower – one of the 17 towers of the Smolensk Fortress Wall, - on the bank of the Dnieper River. The exposition contains the key points of wine-production development in Russia. Besides, all the visitors have a chance to taste the production (numerous drinks) of Smolensk joint-stock company “Bahus” in the restaurant “Smolensk fortress”.
If you want to get acquainted with popular heroes of Russian fairy tales; if your wish is to learn more about ancient Russian customs and traditions - you should visit Smolensk Museum of Fairy Tale. There you’ll find yourself in the magic world of Russian fairy tales; you’ll feel the fantastic atmosphere of past centuries. In Smolensk Museum of Fairy Tale one can see the original pieces of furniture, toys, clothes and kitchen utensils of old Russia. Visit the Museum of Fairy Tale and get in touch with unique Russian culture.
The biggest in Europe pre-Christian burial–mounds of Slavic tribes are located in Smolensk district Gnezdovo. It’s planned to take those burial–mounds under control of UNESCO as important historical objects. This place is famous for archeological excavations that give us information about the life of Slavic tribes many centuries ago.
The Memorial “Katyn”, created by two countries – Russia and Poland, - is the first international memorial in Russia to the victims of totalitarian repressions. Here in 1940 more than 4 thousand Polish military men were shot and buried by the organs of NKVD. The memorial is done in the style of “neomodernism” and is unique in its impression on visitors. In “Katyn” one can also see the photographic documental exhibition “Totalitarian past of Smolensk Region”, which is dedicated to one of the most tragic pages in Russian history.
“Teremok” is one of the most interesting sites of Smolensk Region. There one can get in touch with unique Russian culture. “Teremok” is a famous art center, created in the 19th century by the outstanding patron of arts, collector and artist - M.K. Tenesheva. Various well-known artists worked here in different epochs: Repin, Vrubel, Rerich; their original works you can see here in “Teremok”. The atmosphere of “Teremok” is the atmosphere of old Russia and fairy tale.
“Hmelita” and “Novospasskoe” are two famous reserve-museums located in Smolensk Region. They are connected with the names of two world-famous Russians: writer Griboedov spent his young years in Hmelita and composer Glinka was born in Novospasskoe. Those places are real art centers, popular with Russian people and foreigners. The museums “Hmelita” and “Novospasskoe” can give you a lot of information not only about Glinka and Griboedov but also about the life of Russian nobility in 18-19 centuries. And besides, those places are a paradise for nature-lovers.
Long-running exhibitions can acquaint you with the most interesting events of the Russian history. The third floor of the museum is occupied by exposition of natural resources. Various exhibitions on different topics regularly take part in the Historical museum.
The museum displays original documents, awards, and weaponry of that time period. There is also an open-air exposition of military equipment on the territory of the museum.
The museum was opened with the help of the national artist of the USSR – S.T. Konenkov (1874 – 1971). There are more than 80 original works of the great artist in the museum.
It is the main exhibition hall of the city, where you can enjoy various exhibitions on different topics. The Hall exhibits works of Smolensk artists. Besides, various expositions from the leading museums of Russia and Belarus take part in the Hall. Expositions of design, photo and modern art are particularly popular.
The exposition is devoted to seamen, shipbuilders, admirals and ordinary sailors, submariners and pilots of naval aviation who was born and lived in Smolensk. An important part of the exposition is dedicated to the life and heroic deed of Smolensk admiral Nakhimov. In the museum there are about 100 models of various ships from sailing boats to modern Russian surface and submarine ships.
The house-museum of Michael Egorov, who managed to set up the Victory Banner on the Reichstag roof together with Meliton Kantaria in 1945, is situated in Rudnya in 63 km from Smolensk. It is worth visiting for those who aren’t indifferent to the memory of the Great Patriotic War.
The flat-museum was opened in November 1990. The interior of the flat is well-preserved. In one of the rooms there is an exposition that tells visitors about poet’s stay in Smolensk, about his works connected with his motherland.
An unusual museum is situated in the yard of one of the central streets of Smolensk – the Town Smithy of the 17th century. Here you can see various original tools and numerous iron products of the XVII – XIX centuries: keys, padlocks, cold weapon, utensils, candlesticks etc.
