Residents of the Smolensk region are very sensitive to the history of their native land. Museums in Smolensk show this very clearly. All of them are located in unique buildings, most of which are recognized as architectural monuments. About 90% of the collections are state, regional, city. Private collections open to the public are still considered rare in the Smolensk region.

Museum of Military History “Thunder Tower”

The exposition complex is known far beyond the borders of Russia. It is located in the most beautiful, according to many travelers, tower of the Smolensk Kremlin. It is noteworthy that this is one of the few Russian Kremlin towers, the name of the architect of which is known. Fyodor Kon entered the history of the state and domestic architecture as a man who combined Russian traditions and the style of the Italian Renaissance in the construction of defensive structures.

The tower has been rebuilt several times; in the last century, expositions were opened in it twice. One was devoted to socialist construction, the other to military history. Relatively recently, its exhibitions were updated and most of the unique items were placed on the second and third tiers. Some of them are devoted to the tower, here you can see many exhibits dedicated to the history of the city, the Kremlin, the defense of Smolensk.

So that visitors can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the past, interactive equipment is installed in the tower. For those who do not like to resort to the services of guides, mobile guides are provided. There is an opportunity in this part of the Kremlin to climb the curtain and see the surroundings through the eyes of the defenders of the fortress, walk along the narrow tower stairs and buy interesting rare books on Russian history in the souvenir shop. The exposition complex is open every day except Monday.

Museum of Happiness “Smolensk Decorations”

The exposition is also dedicated to the history of the Smolensk region. It is located on the territory of the local Kremlin and occupies its fly tower. This grandiose building for its time has been perfectly preserved to this day. More than 400 years ago, sentinels were on duty in it, they were the first to give a signal about the approach of enemies. This is a special place on the city map. Near the wall is a mass grave of local residents who were shot during the Nazi occupation of the Smolensk region.

Before the “Smolensk decorations” appeared in the dashing 90s, in the tower you could see exhibits dedicated to the history of the pioneers and urban construction. There was no heating, so many items quickly fell into disrepair. Relatively recently, with private donations from citizens, historians, and enthusiasts, the exposition was restored and comfortable conditions were created for excursions and the storage of relics.

The exposition placed in it is divided into 3 parts. It is dedicated to the life of the ancient Slavs. On one tier are household items associated with the cult of Mother Earth. On the other, there are relics that tell about the worship of Fire, symbolizing the masculine principle. A separate tier is occupied by exhibits dedicated to folk holidays and the annual agricultural calendar.

Sculpture Museum S.T. Konenkov

Opened in the 70s of the last century. It is a structural subdivision of the research institution of the Russian Academy of Arts. The building where the exposition is located today is recognized as unique both in terms of architecture and by the standards of history. It was specially built in Soviet times before the Great Patriotic War for the intelligentsia, but at the same time it is very reminiscent of pre-revolutionary houses.

At different times, people who made a huge contribution to the development of Soviet and Russian art lived in this building. Sergei Konenkov, whose name the memorial complex bears, took part in the revolutionary movement, traveled a lot, during the years of Soviet power he created works that combined the style of expressionism and modernity.

No less amazing person was his wife, who communicated with world stars and worked for Soviet intelligence. In the rooms of the house there is exactly the atmosphere that the Konenkov family would have been here during the life of the Konenkov family. The exposition brings together the works of the master, created in different years. The house regularly hosts exhibitions and scientific conferences.

Smolensk flax

The exposition was first opened about 40 years ago. This collection is considered the oldest in Russia of all dedicated to the history of cultivation, processing of flax and the production of various products from it. The exposition changed its location several times. Today it is located in the Nikolskaya tower of the Kremlin.

The building itself belongs to the category of unique architectural monuments, miraculously preserved to this day. Moreover, it was practically not subjected to a total restructuring (only reconstruction), therefore it looks authentic. Like most city museums, the institution is open every day except Monday.

This collection is called unique: it contains authentic agricultural tools, tools for processing flax, handmade lace, northern women's head belts and headdresses. Linen products are now recognized by official science as medicinal, as they have an antibacterial effect, do not accumulate static electricity, have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, and are hypoallergenic. In this amazing place, anyone at the master classes can join the art of weaving belts on reeds, making dolls-amulets.

Historical Museum

The state institution is considered the oldest in the Smolensk region. The first exhibitions were held here even before the revolution, at the same time his first collection dedicated to the history of the region was collected. The exposition changed its addresses several times. However, there has been a significant increase in the collection since then.

Today, the archaeological fund has more than 1,500 items, most of them are unique. In addition to it, there are collections dedicated to the period of unification of the Russian lands, the reforms of Peter the Great, the Smolensk province. Here you can even see a well-preserved mammoth skeleton. Part of the exhibition sections is devoted to ancient history.

In the halls there are tools, household items of the Slavic peoples. Of particular value are things made by ancient people in the Stone Age: axes, tools for processing the skins of wild animals. The collections include ancient bronze jewelry, pottery, ancient amphoras, Byzantine gold coins, Arab silver coins, birch bark letters, knights' weapons and much more.

City smithy of the 17th century

The blacksmith craft in Russia has always been fanned with a special mysticism. It is not surprising that local residents consider the piece of land where the exposition is located today, a kind of place of power. This private house was at one time both an archive and a smithy. It was built about 400 years ago, but only the smithy built by him has survived to this day.

It is surrounded by modern buildings, and this makes it seem even more miniature. About 40 years ago, a museum of blacksmithing was opened here, and since that time it has not changed its location. In its rooms you can see real old blacksmith tools, products of local craftsmen, created two or three centuries ago using unique technologies. And a real blacksmith-guide meets guests in “his” house, he shows young and adult guests various masterpieces created by masters.

Historical and architectural complex “Teremok”

The art object is located in the suburbs, it is part of the Tenishev-Talashkino estate. This is a cult place for fans of Russian music, painting, associated with the names of Chaliapin, Repin, Vrubel, Roerich and other prominent people. The heart of the unique complex is a real wooden tower. It is built of logs, decorated with intricate carvings, and in itself is a masterpiece of architecture.

Children and adults here can see not only samples of applied art. Many items in its chambers are created by legendary figures. Here you can admire hand-painted balalaikas, see what pre-revolutionary school textbooks looked like.

Excursions in the tower are held in an interactive format, so modern schoolchildren have the opportunity to attend “lessons” of calligraphy, arithmetic, learn how in the old days peasants ran a household, were engaged in beekeeping and what any child of the peasant class should have been able to do.

Museum-Apartment “A.T. Tvardovsky in Smolensk»

Tvardovsky's poems today are considered by many to be too simple, but it was they who inspired millions of fighters to go into battle. Alexander Trifonovich is from the Smolensk region. Among his ancestors were blacksmiths, paramilitary peasants (representatives of this class mainly lived on the borders of the state, equally skillfully fought and cultivated the land), the military.

The heyday of his work came in the Soviet era, but this fact did not save the Tvardovsky family from Stalinist repressions. And yet this did not shake the faith of the young journalist, writer in the rightness of the leader of the peoples. During the war years, Tvardovsky served as a military correspondent, and he created the image of the resilient Terkin literally on the eve of Nazi Germany's attack on the USSR.

On the front line, poems about a resilient fighter were incredibly popular. People who went into battle identified him with themselves. It is noteworthy that in the works about Terkin there was not a single gram of propaganda and … censorship missed them. Poems, poems about a fighter became the hallmark of Tvardovsky. In the very same regional center, Alexander Trifonovich lived for only a year and at the same time worked in the editorial office of the Krasnoarmeyskaya Pravda newspaper.

It was here that he created his immortal lines and received guests: front-line friends. The rooms of the apartment today contain his original things, drawings depicting Vasily Terkin, the famous Soviet illustrator Orest Vereisky.

Cultural and Exhibition Center named after Tenishevs

The art object was not built in the old style. This architectural solution at one time turned out to be a shock for the townspeople. And the ultra-fashionable high-tech building fits perfectly into the city architecture, and has become one of the hallmarks of the regional center. What else is unique about it? There is a courtyard, reminiscent of similar structures in the palaces of Roman and Italian aristocrats.

There is no such building in the town, therefore it is quite natural that conferences and forums of various levels are constantly held in the complex. In the center there is a cozy cafe and art workshops. Master classes are often held here, where you can learn graphics, modeling, learn the secrets of creating interesting photographs, and much more.

In the halls, one after another, exhibitions of engravings, paintings, silverware replace each other. Photo exhibitions in the CEC are very popular among residents and guests of the Smolensk region. The center often hosts free classes for the development of speech, ear for music for kids and quests for older children.

State Museum “Smolensk Fortress”

The Kremlin is one of the symbols of the Smolensk region and its unique history. Its walls could not be preserved in their original form, because bloody battles took place on this land almost every century. According to historians, it had about 40 towers and about the same number of sections of the fortress walls, which performed purely fortification functions.

Deaf rectangular towers here alternate with their many-sided, round “sisters”. All buildings are a single harmonious ensemble, a monument to Russian architecture. On the territory of the complex you can see 10 towers. Each of them has its own name: “Veselukha”, “Eagle”, “Pyatnitskaya”, “Volkova”, etc.

Inside the buildings there are exposition rooms where various exhibitions operate, including those dedicated to Russian history and military affairs. There are restaurants and a night club on the territory of the Kremlin. The museum complex is a favorite vacation spot for representatives of different generations.

Smolensk region during the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945

The name speaks for itself. The exposition is located in the pre-revolutionary building of the city school. It is noteworthy that it was built in honor of the heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812. The architectural monument was erected in the neo-Russian style, but at the same time, in appearance it somehow resembles … an Italian medieval fortress.

This is a restored building after the Great Patriotic War, that is, in fact, still a copy of a pre-revolutionary object, which today is called one of the hallmarks of the Smolensk region. The museum collection is very extensive. It includes weapons, banners, military equipment, authentic maps, documents, photographs, awards, personal belongings of the Soviet, German military.

Historians consider the exhibits that tell about the military personnel of the legendary Normandie-Neman aviation regiment to be the true pearl of the collection. The complex owns open-air sites, where military weapons of different years are exhibited. And in it you can see a copy of the partisan dugout, the diorama “The Birth of the Soviet Guard”.

Youth Center-Museum named after Admiral Nakhimov

The center is located in the heart of the city and occupies 6 main halls. His collection is amazingly diverse. Here you can see paintings by outstanding marine painters, sculptural portraits, sea flags, ship models. The latter are the most accurate copies of ships and aircraft.

There is a cinema hall in the center, where there is a demonstration of feature films, documentaries, animated films about water expanses. An amazing atmosphere reigns here, it does not leave indifferent children and adults. All, without exception, the exhibits of the center are unique.

There is a memorial hall in it, where the names of the Smolensk people who did not return from sea trips are imprinted, and a mini chapel has been erected. A candle burns in front of the bell. At one time, it was the sailors who defended the city and participated in its liberation from the Nazis. Their memory is also immortalized in the center. And of course, there are rarities here that tell about modern sea voyages and travels to distant lands.

Outpost 863 Park Museum

Yuri Gagarin and many Russian, Soviet cosmonauts come from the Smolensk region. The park museum is dedicated to them. He specializes in interactive programs for the younger generation. The main part of the Forpost 863 sites is located in the open air, the complex can be visited at any time of the year. The park has its own autodrome, there is a school for young correspondents.

If a person is not indifferent to the sky, dreams of space travel, “Outpost 863” will conquer him. Here you can not only see photographs, personal belongings, astronauts' costumes: you are allowed to touch the exhibits with your hands and even use spacesuits on yourself. The complex includes a special training ground for military tactical games; on its territory, trenches from the times of the Great Patriotic War have been preserved.

Art Gallery

The art platform is located in the very center of the city. The gallery building is considered one of the most beautiful in the region. It was built before the revolution for a real school. The three-story house looks majestic and elegant at the same time. Among the graduates of the school there were many legendary personalities: artists, military men, travelers.

It is symbolic that this building houses a gallery where you can see the masterpieces of world art. The collection is formed on the basis of noble assemblies. Among its exhibits, a significant part is made up of works acquired in Russia and Europe by Princess Tenisheva.

It was thanks to her that priceless examples of ancient Russian art were preserved. The collection includes masterpieces by Repin, Aivazovsky, Tropinin, Benois, Strozzi, Pellegrini. It contains works related to various schools of the Renaissance, canvases of the Impressionists full of emotions, paintings by contemporary artists.

The gallery often hosts cultural and educational events for children and adults, a special hall for temporary exhibitions is equipped so that visitors can get acquainted with the unique items stored in its funds.

Museum-estate of M.I. Glinka

Distance between the village of Novospasskoy and the regional center: 128 kilometers. It is not an obstacle for fans of the work of the great Russian composer. All year round, children and adults rush to visit the estate to get in touch with the world that influenced the work of Mikhail Ivanovich. The manor's house is surrounded by outbuildings, linden alleys, ponds, gazebos, flower beds and oaks so beloved by Glinka. These trees were his totems.

They inspired to compose music, one of them collapsed literally immediately after the death of the composer. The rooms of the estate are filled with exactly the atmosphere that has surrounded Glinka since childhood. Some of the interior items, unfortunately, could not be saved at one time, so visitors to the house can see antique furniture restored by restorers.

But many of the embroidery and lace in the composer's mother's room, the paintings on the walls, and the musical instruments are genuine. Every year, the estate hosts events of a music festival in honor of the composer, creative meetings, and holidays.

Museum-estate of A.T. Tvardovsky

An atmospheric place where everything breathes with silence, comfort, special tranquility. Farm Zagorye has not changed outwardly since the poet was born and raised here. However, this is an illusion: by the 70s of the last century, almost nothing remained of the settlement. The Civil and Patriotic Wars, dispossession, repressions did their job.

After the death of Tvardovsky, the literary critic Dementiev did the impossible: he called on the public to restore the farm in memory of the great poet, and his words did not leave people indifferent. By the end of the 1980s, the farmstead and the Tvardovsky farmstead were reconstructed. The dashing 90s, when the system of values was collapsing in the state, could not harm the new museum complex.

Bit by bit, historians managed to recreate the house and outbuildings that belonged to the Tvardovsky family, a smithy and a well located nearby. Looking at them, travelers often get the feeling that troubles have bypassed this region and there were no wars or revolutions.

Museum-Reserve Gnezdovo

The archaeological complex is located in the suburbs of the regional center on the site of an ancient settlement. It got its name from the nearby village. If you calculate correctly, the complex covers not one settlement, but 2 settlements, 2 unfortified settlements, which used to be called settlements, and almost 2000 barrows. Mystics consider Gnezdovo a place of power; for thousands of years it has been a point of attraction for various peoples.

Not only Slav artisans and descendants of the Vikings lived in his settlements. As burials testify, warriors, representatives of the nobility lived here. This place holds many secrets. All Gnezdovo monuments are under state protection. The collection of the complex includes samples of products of ancient potters, blacksmiths, jewelers, stone carvers, glassblowers, gunsmiths found by archaeologists. For centuries, the remains of warriors buried with weapons have rested in local burial mounds.

Much more relics would have been preserved, but during the construction of houses and quarries, many unique monuments were damaged, and black diggers also contributed to the ruin of the mounds. Today, outdoor events often take place on the territory of the complex.

Excursions are carried out here only accompanied by guides in 2 formats: standard and author's. The latter is much more interesting, because then you can feel like the inhabitants of the settlements. Professional, amateur photo shoots are allowed on the territory of the complex.

In the world of a fairy tale

This is indeed a fabulous place on the map of Russia. It attracts children and adults. The exposition is addressed to the younger generation and was first opened at the end of the last century. Everything here breathes fabulous antiquity. Children are met by guides dressed in costumes of fairy-tale characters.

Of the unique rarities, the most popular among visitors are incredibly beautiful household items: a chest (in which women kept a “dowry” for babies, a feeding horn (the great-great-grandfather of modern bottles), a sled. Thumbelina and her little friends, created by German craftsmen.

In a magical corner, the same hut on chicken legs awaits visitors. “In the world of a fairy tale” all excursions are interactive and more like quests. And in the lobby there is an exhibition of crafts made by young visitors.