Regions of Russia: New exhibit focused on the city’s history between 9th and 13th cc. kicked off in Smolensk

In the late December 2011 Smolensk Historical Museum opened a new permanent exposition “The Great and Highly Populated City. Smolensk Land as a part of the Old Russian State (9th – early 13th cc.)”. The exposition encompasses the most remarkable archaeological monuments of Gnezdovo and old Smolensk from the collection of Smolensk State Museum-Reserve.

Most exhibits have gone on show for the first time. Side by side are ordinary materials (tools, weapons, household items, jewelry), and unique historical artifacts: an earthenware pot-amphora with the oldest Russian inscription which has no counterparts, famous Franconian swords, the rarest gold Byzantine coin – Emperor Alexander’s solidus, a seal of one of the first Smolensk Princes – Vyacheslav Yaroslavovich, a dark-green glass bracelet, an original silver grivna and famous Smolensk birch bark documents.

“The Great and Highly Populated City” – is another important stage in building a permanent exposition of Smolensk Historical Museum, the project’s author is the architect from St. Petersburg Valery Nalivaiko.