This comprehensive museum covers WWII in the Smolensk area from the beginning of the war and occupation by the Nazis to the region's liberation. Displays (captions in Russian) include weaponry, military uniforms, medals and original photos and documents, and there is a bunker diorama titled Birth of the Soviet Guard. Outside is a large collection of tanks, canons and aircraft that kids will delight in climbing on, as well as a trench bunker you can walk through.
Smolensk WWII Museum
Western European Russia
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.76 MILES
Dominating the skyline is this huge green-and-white working cathedral topped by five silver domes. A church has stood here since 1101; this one was built…
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0.21 MILES
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10.48 MILES
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, illustrious artists and musicians, including Stravinsky, Chaliapin, Vrubel and Serov, visited Flyonovo, the…
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0.49 MILES
Making a circuit of the restored city walls, long sections of which boast fine towers reminiscent of the Moscow Kremlin, is a pleasant way to pass a warm…
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0.27 MILES
At the east end of this shady garden with fountains, an 1885 statue of the composer Glinka is surrounded by a fence with excerpts from his opera A Life…
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0.45 MILES
Flax production developed from the Middle Ages as one of Smolensk’s main industries, as the moderate climate sustained soil ideal for growing the plant…
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0.3 MILES
This gorgeous mustard-coloured building is home to a range of different galleries over two floors, covering natural and local history. Displays include…
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10.43 MILES
Located at the estate of Flyonovo, this ornately decorative wooden house, covered with peasant-style carving, is now a folk-art museum with a lot of…
Nearby Western European Russia attractions
1. Monument to the Heroes of 1812
0.07 MILES
This Smolensk monument pays tribute to those who fought against Napoleon's armies in 1812.
0.14 MILES
The eternal flame memorial is located in the Lopatinsky Gardens.
0.16 MILES
This witch-hatted tower offers incredible city views from its fourth tier; a small museum (open 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Sunday; admission R80) on the 3rd…
0.21 MILES
Housed in a beautiful building with wrought-iron staircases, this splendid collection includes pieces by luminaries such as Valentin Serov, Ilya Repin and…
0.21 MILES
Contains playful woodworks by Smolensk Oblast native Sergei Konenkov, otherwise known as the 'Russian Rodin'. The museum also has works by other noted…
0.27 MILES
At the east end of this shady garden with fountains, an 1885 statue of the composer Glinka is surrounded by a fence with excerpts from his opera A Life…
0.3 MILES
This gorgeous mustard-coloured building is home to a range of different galleries over two floors, covering natural and local history. Displays include…
8. In the World of Fairytales Museum
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One for the kids, where they've smashed the boring don't-touch rules. It's a small creative space with activities and interactive exhibits based on…