Churches of Smolensk: history and descriptions

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

The history of Smolensk has more than eleven centuries. This is one of the oldest cities in Russia. It became part of Kievan Rus at the end of the 9th century. After the Baptism of Russia, Orthodoxy found fertile ground in Smolensk. In the 12th century, the principality of Smolensk developed rapidly, about 40 thousand inhabitants lived in its capital, and in terms of the pace of construction of Orthodox churches, the city overtook even Kyiv, stone churches of Smolensk were known throughout Russia, in the 12th century more than thirty of them were built.

Western outpost of Orthodoxy

The geographical position of Smolensk brought him both prosperity and trouble. The city lay on trade routes connecting East and West, South and North, which contributed to its development, but made it a desirable target for the conquerors. In the 13th century, the city was captured by the Tatar-Mongols, but the Asian conquerors were tolerant of the religions of the conquered peoples, so the churches of Smolensk were practically not damaged.

In 1404 the city fell to the Lithuanian troops of Prince Vitovt. Not wanting to multiply conflicts in the conquered city, the wise Vitovt gave its inhabitants the right to choose the religion of their choice. However, his followers began to oppress the Orthodox. All important positionsoccupied by the Catholics, the Orthodox Church was deprived of privileges and withdrawn from public life. In 1515, the Smolensk region returned to Russia, most of the townspeople met the liberation without betraying the faith of their ancestors.

In 1611, after a long siege, Smolensk was captured by the Poles, taking advantage of the troubled times in the Russian state. They immediately waged a fierce struggle against Orthodoxy. King Sigismund ordered the construction of a Catholic cathedral on the ruins of the Assumption Church. Everywhere the churches of Smolensk were turned into churches, and the Smolensk people were tried to be forcibly converted to the Latin faith alien to them. Having stumbled upon a total rejection of Catholicism, the Poles created a Uniate, intermediate church, but even this did not win the hearts of the townspeople. In 1654, the Poles were expelled by Russian troops, and the rights of Orthodoxy were fully restored.

The city underwent severe trials during the invasion of Napoleon and especially in the Second World War, when churches were robbed and destroyed. Whether due to good fortune or the will of God, quite a few churches have survived in Smolensk that have survived a series of devastating wars and religious intolerance. Moreover, the city has three unique temples that were built before the Tatar-Mongol yoke. And, of course, the Assumption Cathedral, which is the Orthodox center and the main decoration of the city, stands out among the temples and churches of Smolensk.

Holy Assumption Cathedral

Smolensk lies on seven hills, like golden-domed Moscow or majestic Rome. For tourists and Orthodox pilgrims, the most interesting hill is undoubtedly Cathedral. It is easy to find it, because it is crowned by the main church of Smolensk. A photo of the Assumption Cathedral is found in almost all guidebooks and reports about the city, a rare foreign and Russian traveler ignores the beautiful white and turquoise temple, which seems to soar over Smolensk.

The temple on this site appeared more than nine centuries ago, in 1101. In 1611 it was blown up by the defenders of the city during the Polish siege. The first stone of the new cathedral was laid in 1677, construction dragged on for almost a century, and it ended only in 1772. Although the cathedral was plundered by the Napoleonic conquerors and Wehrmacht soldiers, it practically did not change its appearance.

The graceful five-domed Baroque temple is 69 m high, but visually it seems much higher because it is built on an imposing hill. The decoration of the cathedral is rich, as it should be for the main temple of the city, but even in the magnificent surroundings, a carved 30-meter linden iconostasis stands out brightly, which immediately attracts the eyes of tourists and parishioners. The iconostasis has five tiers, decorated with many icons, patterns and figures.

Peter and Paul Church

The oldest church in Smolensk was built in the middle of the 12th century, presumably in 1146. At first it was the house church of the prince, and in 1168 it became a parish church. It is a striking example of the architecture of pre-Mongolian times: a four-pillar one-domed temple, built of plinth - a special tiled brick. In its strict proportions and lines, in a rather flat dome, Byzantine influence is guessed,which is in particular contrast to the 18th-century St. Barbara's church next door.

Before the appearance of the Assumption Cathedral, the Church of Peter and Paul was the main Orthodox church in Smolensk. True, during the Polish rule, a Catholic church was arranged in it. In 1812 it was plundered by the French, in 1935 it was closed by the Soviet authorities, during the Second World War it was badly destroyed, restored in the 60s of the last century.

Church of St. John the Theologian

This small but very cozy temple was built on the banks of the Dnieper in 1173. After the arrival of the Poles in 1611, like many churches in Smolensk, it was turned into a church, then destroyed during the Napoleonic invasion, restored after the war, but services resumed only in 1993. It is a cross-pillared one-domed temple made of plinth, has three semicircular apses.

Church of the Archangel Michael

One of the most beautiful and oldest churches in Smolensk appeared at the end of the 12th century on a hill above the Dnieper near the Church of St. John the Theologian. According to legend, David Rostislavovich, the Prince of Smolensk, ordered to build it. He wanted to build a temple that would surpass other city temples in grandeur and beauty. In many ways, the plan was a success, enough enthusiastic words about the magnificent decoration and beauty of the Church of Michael towering over the river have been preserved in the annals.

Like many churches in Smolensk, the temple survived the Lithuanian oppression, reorganization into a churchduring the arrival of the Commonwe alth, plundered by the French, but miraculously practically did not suffer during the battles of the Second World War and therefore survived in a medieval form. It is a beautiful cross-domed temple 38.5 meters high with one semicircular apse and one dome.