Smolensk Oblast
An ancient region on Russia's western border, whose capital, Smolensk, is known for its imposing old city walls and churches on the Dnieper.
Smolensk Oblast lies in western European Russia, bordering Belarus, with the upper Dnieper flowing through it and a landscape of hills, forests, and lakes. The capital, Smolensk, is one of Russia's oldest cities and many times stood on the front line against invasions from the west. It preserves fortress walls built in the 16th and 17th centuries and the towering Dormition Cathedral. The region also has cultural sites such as the ancestral estate of the composer Glinka. Summer and early autumn are the best times to visit. Smolensk lies on the main rail and road corridor between Moscow and Minsk, so it is easy to reach.