About Smolensk

So what is Smolensk? It’s an ancient Russian city, founded in 863 AD, lying over the Dnieper River not far from Moscow and St. Petersburg. The city stands on seven hills, spanning a large area. Smolensk is a key-town, a strategic fortress city, a valiant defender of Russia on the western frontier. Smolensk is a hero city honored for its determined defence against the Nazis. Smolensk is the birthplace of such outstanding people as Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, Mikhail Glinka, the great Russian composer of music, and the prolific writer Isaac Asimov.

Smolensk is proud of its great and eventful history which is reflected in museums, monuments, churches, theatres, galleries (in the Smolensk Art Gallery you can see works of Aivazovsky and original works of other famous artists). There are many different views of the city to be enjoyed from the Fortress Wall that was build in 1602, crowned with 38 towers. The present wall rings the center of Smolensk and includes many interesting places that reflect the history of the city. The original wall was 6.4 km long. Now its length is 3 km and it has 17 towers.

Smolensk, while ancient, is at the same time a very young and up-to-date city. Much of Smolensk was rebuilt after the destruction of wars and many modern new buildings are constructed each year. Smolensk, with several universities, offers a wide variety of opportunities for Russian and international students. A vibrant youth culture includes nightclubs, cinema, cafes and parks where young people meet. Smolensk is a city of youth. Young people choose from a variety of entertainments ranging from adventure of extreme sports to the casual enjoyment of strolls through green parks with winding paths, fountains and stately trees.

If you are fond of eating out, Smolensk offers a great number of cafes and restaurants representing the different cuisines of the world, including the delicious and unique western Russian dishes like bliny, pelmeni and our distinguished local vodka. Visitors also find a wealth of shopping in Smolensk. Visitors buy typical Russian souvenirs and many products of very high quality representing Smolensk industry (flax, diamonds and ceramics) and different goods of well-known brands. The markets are full of great bargains.

Smolensk has great natural beauty in every season. The unique nature of this region, with its deep lakes and green forests, present a variety of outdoor activities. Sportsmen find fishing and hunting in the area great. Every season has its own charm and unforgettable atmosphere. The Smolensk region is famous for its nature. In its green forests and nature reserves one can find a wide choice of plants and wild animals. The lakes and rivers are full of fish, and fishing is possible in spring, summer, autumn and even in winter.

TEXT 13. Read and translate the text. Play a situation when you are a guide about museums of Smolensk.

Museums of Smolensk

The Museum «Smolensk Flax»

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.

The Museum of Russian Vodka

Smolensk Museum of Russian Vodka is located in Pjatnizkaya tower – one of the 17 towers of the Smolensk Fortress Wall. The exposition contains the key points of wine production development in Russia. Besides, all the visitors can taste production of Smolensk company «Bahus» in the restaurant “Smolensk Fortress”.

The Museum of Fairy Tale

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 Burial-Mounds in Gnezdovo

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 Historical-Architectural complex «Teremok»

«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 centre, created in the 19^th 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 in «Teremok». The atmosphere of «Teremok» is the atmosphere of old Russia and fairy tale.

The Museums «Hmelita» and «Novospasskoe»

«Hmelita» and «Novospasskoe» are two famous 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 of «Hmelita» and «Novospasskoe» can give you a lot of information not only about Griboedov and Glinka but also about the life of Russian nobility in 18-19 centuries. And besides, those places are a paradise for nature-lovers.

The Historical museum

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 place in the Historical museum.

The Museum «Smolensk Region during the Great patriotic War of 1941-1945»

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.

Nakhimov Centre-Museum

The exposition is devoted to seamen, shipbuilders, admirals and ordinary sailors, submariners and pilots of naval aviation who were 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 Museum of Konenkov’s sculpture

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.

The Exhibition Hall

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 place in the Hall. Expositions of design, photo and modern art are particularly popular.

TEXT 14. Read and translate the text. Render its contents into Russian.