Smolensk Fortress Wall


The amazing scenery of the city of Smolensk is spilled over the picturesque hills of the Dnieper Valley . Over the city stands the Assumption Cathedral, surrounding by medieval walls and towers of the Smolensk fortress. Both structures are not only architectural, but also historical monuments-symbols of the heroic 20-month defense of the city in 1609-1611 against the 30 thousand-strong army of the Polish King Sigismund III. This defense played an important role on the future liberation of Moscow from the Polish conquerors in 1612 and in the formation of the Russian state.

  Smolensk city wall is the longest fortified structure in Europe. Built in 1596-1602 . Beneath the walls was created a system of galleries which were used as listening outposts to detect attempts of mining and building of underground passages by the enemy.

In the modern times, there are 17 towers still standing out of the original 38, and the total length of the city walls is 3.5 km.
To this day the Smolensk Fortress makes a lasting impression with its grandeur and invincibility.

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