Gnezdovo Barrows
Гнёздовские курганы
A 9th–11th-century Viking-Slavic trading settlement on the Dnieper with over a thousand burial mounds. It is an important site on the “Route from the Varangians to the Greeks”.
The Gnezdovo archaeological complex lies about 12 km west of Smolensk. It was an important trading centre between the 9th and 11th centuries and preserves settlement remains as well as more than a thousand Slavic and Scandinavian-style earthen mounds. It has yielded the earliest known Cyrillic inscription in Russia, on a clay vessel. Today it is an archaeological reserve, with mounds scattered across meadows and woodland. Excavations take place in summer, and medieval festivals are occasionally held. Get there by suburban tram to Gnyozdovo station, then walk. There are no facilities, so it suits visitors interested in history and archaeology. Bring insect repellent.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Katyn Memorial
- Church of St. Michael the Archangel (Svirskaya)
- Lopatinsky Garden
- Church of St John the Theologian
- Church of Sts Peter and Paul on Gorodyanka
- Gromovaya Tower (Smolensk – Shield of Russia Museum)
- Smolensk Art Gallery
- Blonie Garden