Smolensk

Smolensk (population 350,000) is a city in western Russia, located on the Dniepr river at 54.79° North, 32.05° East ^{(The World Gazetteer)}. Its population in 2003 is 351,100 ^(TWG). The name of the city is derived from the Russian word smola that means raisin. Pine trees grow in the area, and city was once center of raisin trade.

The historic city features the Cathedral of the Assumption and a 16th century kremlin.

Timeline

• 863 First known mentioning of Smolensk in a written text
• 882 Incorporated to the Kievan Rus
• 1054 Smolensk duchy is found
• 1229 Trade agreement with Riga and Hanse
• 1233-1238 Invasion of Tartars. Smolensk pays tribut to Tartars.
• 1320 Alliance with Lithuania
• 1330 Smolensk liberated from the tribut to Tartars thanks to the help of Lithuania
• 1360 Smolensk army takes part in the Lithuania struggle against Moscow
• 1385 Personal union of Poland and Lithuania
• 1395 Smolensk incorporated into Lithuania
• 1410 3 Smolensk divisions take part in the Battle of Grunwald against Teutonic Order knights
• 1432-1440 civil war
• 1514 incorporated to Moscow state
• 1544, 1552, 1553 failed attempts of Lithuania to recapture the city
• 1569 Polish-Lituanian union in Lublin. The newly created state called The Commonwealth inherited claims to Smolensk.
• 1596-1602 construction of the city walls
• 1609 beginning of the siege by the army of the Commonwealth
• 1611 Smolensk captured again by Polish army, thanks to the help of local people
• 1633-1634 the failed siege by the Moscow army
• 1654 Smolensk captured by Russian army
• 1667 Final peace agreement decides that Smolens belongs to Russia
• 1708 Smolensk province (gubernia) is founded
• 1812 Napoleon captures Smolensk on his way to Moscow
• 1917 Soviets take over the city. In the neighbour Katyn forest the center for the extermination of their "enemies" is established.
• 1940 Mass execution of the 5000 Polish POW in the Katyn forest
• 1941-September 25th 1943 Occupied by Nazi Germany
• 1991 Smolensk remains in the border of Russian Federation.

External Links

• Official Website of Smolensk (in Russian)
• Official Website of Smolensk region (oblast) (in Russian)