The history of the Smolensk fortress is associated with the names of Russian Tsars and Emperors Feodor Ioannovich, Boris Godunov, Mikhail Fyodorovich, Alexey Mikhailovich, Peter I, Nicholas I, Alexander II, and Nicholas II.
The Smolensk fortress was at the epicenter of many events in the military history of the state, including the Russo-Polish War in the 17th century, the Northern War, the Patriotic War of 1812, and the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945.
The issue of using towers and sections of walls during the 19th and 20th centuries was of paramount importance for Smolensk. At different times, the buildings housed archives, observation decks and garages.
The first attempt to use the Smolensk fortress as a museum was made by Princess Maria Tenisheva in 1902. Her petition was rejected by the Imperial Archaeological Commission.
A few decades later, large temporary propaganda exhibitions were organized in the towers of the fortress: the Museum of the Revolution, the Museum of Socialist Construction, the Museum of the Pioneer Movement, and the Museum “Smolensk — the Shield of Russia”.
At the end of 2020, the State Museum “The Smolensk Fortress” was created. In November 2021, after a long work of the museum staff, the first object, the Makhovaya Tower, was open to public. The exhibition called “The World of the Streltsy” was presented to the attention of Smolensk residents and the guests of the city.
The Smolensk fortress was at the epicenter of many events in the military history of the state, including the Russo-Polish War in the 17th century, the Northern War, the Patriotic War of 1812, and the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945.
The issue of using towers and sections of walls during the 19th and 20th centuries was of paramount importance for Smolensk. At different times, the buildings housed archives, observation decks and garages.
The first attempt to use the Smolensk fortress as a museum was made by Princess Maria Tenisheva in 1902. Her petition was rejected by the Imperial Archaeological Commission.
A few decades later, large temporary propaganda exhibitions were organized in the towers of the fortress: the Museum of the Revolution, the Museum of Socialist Construction, the Museum of the Pioneer Movement, and the Museum “Smolensk — the Shield of Russia”.
At the end of 2020, the State Museum “The Smolensk Fortress” was created. In November 2021, after a long work of the museum staff, the first object, the Makhovaya Tower, was open to public. The exhibition called “The World of the Streltsy” was presented to the attention of Smolensk residents and the guests of the city.
