Smolensk (English spelling) Смоленск/Smolensk

The capital of Smolensk Oblast in the western part of the Russian Federation. It is located in the hilly area of ​​the upper Dnieper River, and the city spreads on both banks. Population 355,700 (1999). It has been developed since ancient times because of its convenient location connecting the lower Dnieper River, the Western Dvina River, and the Volga River basins, and the origins of the city date back to the Kievan Rus period (9th to 12th centuries). As a strategic location, it was often the target of attacks by foreign powers and suffered damage, such as in the war with Poland in the early 17th century, the war with Napoleon's army in 1812, and the battle with the German army in 1941 during World War II. In particular, it was occupied by the German army from July 1941 to September 1943 during World War II, and most of the city was destroyed. Documents seized by the German army at this time were later used to study the rule under the Communist dictatorship. It was rebuilt after the war and is now developing rapidly, becoming the industrial and cultural center of the oblast. Its main industries are machinery, food, textiles, and construction materials. There are also educational and cultural facilities such as medical, physical education and educational universities, a drama theater, a puppet theater and a local museum. The old town is located on the hills on the left bank of the Dnieper River, and is home to historical buildings such as the 12th century Peter and Paul Cathedral and Birskaya Cathedral, as well as administrative and cultural facilities. There are many industrial companies on the right bank. There is also a lot of green space, and it is said to be one of the most beautiful towns in Russia. The city is also a key transportation hub, a junction for railways and highways, and has a river port.

[Tsuguo Tonokawa and Taizo Nakamura]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

ロシア連邦西部、スモレンスク州の州都。ドニエプル川上流の丘陵地帯にあり、市街は両岸に広がっている。人口35万5700（1999）。ドニエプル川下流、西ドビナ川、ボルガ川の各流域を結ぶのに便利な位置にあるため古くから開け、町の起源はキエフ時代（9～12世紀）にさかのぼる。戦略上の要地として、17世紀初頭のポーランドとの戦争、1812年のナポレオン軍との戦争、第二次世界大戦における1941年のドイツ軍との戦闘など、しばしば外国勢力の攻撃の的となり、被害を受けた。とくに第二次世界大戦中の41年7月から43年9月までドイツ軍に占領され、市街のほとんどが破壊された。このときドイツ軍に押収された文書で、のちに共産党独裁下の統治が研究された。戦後復興し、現在は発展著しく、州の工業、文化の中心地となっている。主要な工業は機械、食品、繊維、建設資材工業である。また、医科、体育、教育の各大学、ドラマ劇場、人形劇場、郷土博物館などの教育・文化施設がある。旧市街はドニエプル川左岸の丘陵にあり、12世紀建造のペテロ・パウロ聖堂、ビルスカヤ聖堂などの歴史的建造物のほか、行政・文化施設がある。右岸には工業企業が多い。緑地も多く、ロシアで美しい町の一つといわれている。市はまた交通の要地で、鉄道、ハイウェーの分岐点であり、河港をもっている。

［外川継男・中村泰三］

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