Sights of Yelnya, Smolensk region

Year of foundation: 1150

Railway station and water tower in Yelnya (Photo: wikipedia.org)

Yelnya

- Russian city, administrative center of the Elninsky district of the Smolensk region. Located 82 km from Smolensk, in the upper reaches of the Desna River (a tributary of the Dnieper).

The city got its name from the Old Russian word “elina”, which means “fir”. It was first mentioned in 1150

. The chronicles say that the Kiev prince Svyatoslav Olegovich decided to build the Elna fortress to protect the Smolensk principality from the east: he was tired of the constant raids of appanage princes. Since then, the fortress began to be populated by people and turned into an independent city.

In the Middle Ages, Yelna had a hard time. In the 13th century it was ravaged and burned by the Tatar-Mongols, and two centuries later it came under the rule of Lithuania. The city had to prove its independence for a long time, until 1667, when it finally became part of the Russian state.

By the end of the 18th century, a forge, a tavern, an almshouse and a drinking house appeared in Yelnya, the city began to develop and grow, but war came. In 1812, Napoleonic troops invaded Yelnya. Partisans operated here under the command of Davydov, Seslavin, Figner; They defeated the brigade of the French General Augereau. M.I.’s headquarters was also located in Yelnya. Kutuzov, from where he gave the historical order to complete the defeat of the enemy and actively pursue him.

Mass grave in the city square (Photo: wikipedia.org) But the city suffered most of all during the Great Patriotic War. Fascist troops occupied Yelnya in July 1941, fierce battles under the leadership of Marshal Zhukov lasted 50 days. In September the city was liberated, but not for long. A month later, Yelnya was occupied for the second time, and its final liberation took place in August 1943. By this time, out of more than 7 thousand inhabitants on the Elninsky land, only 700 remained.

But it was necessary not only to fight, but also to restore the economy. By June 1945, the Elninsky brick factory was rebuilt here, and it began to produce 2 times more products. Another year and a half later, the city power plant was restored. In the post-war years, a music school was opened in Yelnya, a knitting factory began operating, and by the end of the 1980s, more than 10 thousand residents lived in Yelnya.

In 2007, by presidential decree, the city of Yelnya was awarded the honorary title of the Russian Federation “City of Military Glory”.

Today in Yelnya there are a knitting factory and a bakery, a wagon factory, a brick factory and a cheese-making factory. Agriculture is also developed - flax, rye, oats, barley and potatoes are grown here. Cattle are raised.

Elias Church (Photo: wikipedia.org)

In Yelnya there is a military fraternal cemetery where the ashes of more than 20 thousand fallen soldiers rest. It is located in the Square of Military Glory, which was founded after the war. The memorial complex also includes: an obelisk to the first guards, an alley of commanders, a chapel in memory of unknown soldiers and a monument to internationalist soldiers. Next to the square is the St. Elias Church, destroyed during the Great Patriotic War and restored in 1992. The railway station is an architectural monument of the 19th century.

Not far from Yelnya, 20 kilometers away, is the village of Novospasskoye - the birthplace of Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka. Here is the House-Museum of the great Russian composer, which contains about 300 exhibits - personal belongings of Mikhail Ivanovich. In the Elninsky district, in the village of Bezzaboty, the writer A.A. was born. Shakhovskaya. And in the village of Glotovka, the Soviet poet V.M. was born into the family of a poor peasant. Isakovsky.

This land is also rich in other talents. Soviet leaders Veniamin Rukosuev and Joseph Makovsky, Hero of the Soviet Union, were born here. The famous Soviet sculptor Sergei Konenkov, the author of many portraits of Russian writers, was born in Elninsky district. The sculpture museum named after him is located in Smolensk.

Day of the city

in Yelnya it is celebrated in August.

City of military glory - Yelnya

Keytown invites readers to take a trip to the Homeland of the Soviet Guard, one of the oldest settlements in the Smolensk region, the city of Yelnya.

Yelnya celebrates City Day on the last Sunday of August. On August 30, 2015, she will turn 865 years old, on the Day of the city’s liberation from the Nazis (08/30/1943). The population of the Elninsky district is 13.8 thousand people (as of 01/01/2015).

Base

Yelnya is one of the oldest settlements in the Smolensk region. It was first mentioned in 1150 in Smolensk charter documents as the urban settlement of Elna. Founded by Prince Rostislav for the defense of Smolensk lands from the southeast.

Previously, the settlement was called Elna, the name is derived from “spruce”, the Old Russian “elina”.

Story

In the 15th century, Elna, as part of the Smolensk Principality, was under the rule of Lithuania, and in 1608 it was granted “for eternity” to Pan Sapega. But it was soon returned to the Russian state.

During the Polish-Swedish intervention, Yelnya was captured and ravaged by the troops of the Polish king, but in 1654, during the war with Poland, which began after the reunification of Russia with Ukraine, it again became part of Russia.

In 1776, Yelnya became a city and the district center of the Smolensk governorship; by this time, Yelnya had 4 streets, 9 alleys, 131 residential buildings, an almshouse, a forge, a tavern and a drinking house.

In 1812, Yelnya was one of the first Russian cities to be invaded by the troops of the French Emperor Napoleon. The headquarters of M.I. Kutuzov was located in Yelnya during the offensive of the Russian army.

The bright pages of Yelnya's history are connected with the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

The Elninsky operation was one of the important stages of the Smolensk battle, during which the fascist attack on Moscow was delayed for two and a half months, and Hitler’s plan for a “lightning war” gave the first crack.

In the battles on Elninsk land, Soviet soldiers showed miracles of courage. 14 soldiers and officers were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Here, during the most difficult battles of 1941, the Soviet Guard was born. On September 18, 1941, by order of the People's Commissar of Defense, the formations that most distinguished themselves in battle were awarded the rank of guards.

At the beginning of 1942, partisans restored Soviet power in most of the region. The territory they cleared of the enemy became part of the Dorogobuzh partisan region. The recapture of the city by the Germans occurred a month later, on October 6, and lasted until August 30, 1943, when during the Elninsky-Dorogobuzh operation it was liberated by the forces of the 10th Guards and 21st Armies with the support of units of the 2nd Tank Corps

In honor of the liberation of the city, a salute was given in Moscow with 12 artillery salvoes from 124 guns

The city was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree (1981). On October 8, 2007, by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Yelnya was awarded the honorary title of the Russian Federation “City of Military Glory”.

Attractions

On the left bank of the Desna River, at the confluence of the Gorodianka River, on a low hill, the remains of a 12th century settlement have been preserved. At the end of the 18th - beginning of the 20th centuries, stone buildings were built: a station complex, a water tower in the pseudo-Gothic style, a gymnasium, shops; mainly in the right bank part of the city. After the war, it was built up while preserving the historical structure of the city. Church of Elijah the Prophet (1992). On the central square (in the park of military glory) there is a memorial in honor of the first guardsmen (1971). 21 km south of Yelnya, in the village of Novospasskoye, is the Museum-Estate of the composer M.I. Glinka. Manor house (1807-10). Church of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God (1786). In the village of Uvarovo there is the Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands (1790).

Symbolism

The coat of arms of the city of Yelnya, Smolensk governorship, was approved in 1780. At the top of the shield is the coat of arms of Smolensk, at the bottom are “three trees in a white field, meaning the name of this city”

The coat of arms of the city of Yelnya was approved by the decision of the Council of Deputies of the Elninsky urban settlement dated August 20, 2010. The basis of the modern coat of arms of the Elninsky urban settlement is the historical coat of arms of the city of Elnya of the Smolensk governorship, Supremely approved on October 10, 1780.

Streets in Shumyachi, Smolensk, Cherepovets, Novosibirsk and Moscow are named after the city.

Source

Notes

[www.mojgorod.ru/smolensk_obl/eljnja/ “My City” // Yelnya]
↑ 123
www.gks.ru/free_doc/doc_2016/bul_dr/mun_obr2016.rar Population of the Russian Federation by municipalities as of January 1, 2016
THE USSR. Administrative-territorial division of the union republics on January 1, 1980 / Compiled by V. A. Dudarev, N. A. Evseeva. - M.: Publishing house "Izvestia of the Soviets of People's Deputies of the USSR", 1980. - 702 p. — P. 224.
militera.
[militera.lib.ru/h/liberation/01.html Liberation of cities: A guide to the liberation of cities during the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945]. M.: Military Publishing House. [www.webcitation.org/619JbHkl0 Archived from the original on August 23, 2011].
↑ 12345678910111213141516
[www.MojGorod.ru/smolensk_obl/eljnja/index.html People's encyclopedia “My City”. Yelnya]. Retrieved June 23, 2014. [www.webcitation.org/6QY4QhDaM Archived from the original on June 23, 2014].
[www.gks.ru/free_doc/doc_2015/vov_svod.pdf The Great Patriotic War. Anniversary statistical collection. 2015]. Retrieved April 23, 2015. [www.webcitation.org/6Y0cjpF3m Archived from the original on April 23, 2015].
[demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/rus59_reg2.php All-Union Population Census of 1959. The size of the urban population of the RSFSR, its territorial units, urban settlements and urban areas by gender] (Russian). Demoscope Weekly. Retrieved September 25, 2013. [www.webcitation.org/6GDOghWC9 Archived from the original on April 28, 2013].
[demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/rus70_reg2.php All-Union Population Census of 1970 The size of the urban population of the RSFSR, its territorial units, urban settlements and urban areas by gender.] (Russian). Demoscope Weekly. Retrieved September 25, 2013. [www.webcitation.org/6GDOiMstp Archived from the original on April 28, 2013].
[demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/rus79_reg2.php All-Union Population Census of 1979 The size of the urban population of the RSFSR, its territorial units, urban settlements and urban areas by gender.] (Russian). Demoscope Weekly. Retrieved September 25, 2013. [www.webcitation.org/6GDOjhZ5L Archived from the original on April 28, 2013].
[demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/rus89_reg2.php All-Union Population Census of 1989. Urban population]. [www.webcitation.org/617x0o0Pa Archived from the original on August 22, 2011].
[www.perepis2002.ru/ct/doc/1_TOM_01_04.xls All-Russian Population Census 2002. Volume. 1, table 4. Population of Russia, federal districts, constituent entities of the Russian Federation, districts, urban settlements, rural settlements - regional centers and rural settlements with a population of 3 thousand or more]. [www.webcitation.org/65AdCU0q3 Archived from the original on February 3, 2012].
[www.gks.ru/bgd/regl/b08_14t/IssWWW.exe/Stg/z/13.htm Cities of the Smolensk region (number of inhabitants - estimate as of January 1, 2008, thousand people)]. Retrieved May 28, 2016. [www.webcitation.org/6hqLx9liu Archived from the original on May 28, 2016].
[www.gks.ru/bgd/regl/B09_109/IssWWW.exe/Stg/d01/tabl-21-09.xls Number of permanent population of the Russian Federation by cities, urban-type settlements and districts as of January 1, 2009]. Retrieved January 2, 2014. [www.webcitation.org/6MJmu0z1u Archived from the original on January 2, 2014].
[www.gks.ru/free_doc/doc_2012/bul_dr/mun_obr2012.rar Population of the Russian Federation by municipalities. Table 35. Estimated resident population as of January 1, 2012]. Retrieved May 31, 2014. [www.webcitation.org/6PyOWbdMc Archived from the original on May 31, 2014].
[www.gks.ru/free_doc/doc_2013/bul_dr/mun_obr2013.rar Population of the Russian Federation by municipalities as of January 1, 2013. - M.: Federal State Statistics Service Rosstat, 2013. - 528 p. (Table 33. Population of urban districts, municipal districts, urban and rural settlements, urban settlements, rural settlements)]. Retrieved November 16, 2013. [www.webcitation.org/6LAdCWSxH Archived from the original on November 16, 2013].
[www.gks.ru/free_doc/doc_2014/bul_dr/mun_obr2014.rar Table 33. Population of the Russian Federation by municipalities as of January 1, 2014]. Retrieved August 2, 2014. [www.webcitation.org/6RWqP50QK Archived from the original on August 2, 2014].
[www.gks.ru/free_doc/doc_2015/bul_dr/mun_obr2015.rar Population of the Russian Federation by municipalities as of January 1, 2015]. Retrieved August 6, 2015. [www.webcitation.org/6aaNzOlFO Archived from the original on August 6, 2015].
admin.smolensk.ru/~samoupr/MO/ELNJY/ElnjyGorod.htm

Tourism

What you have, rightfully earned in battles: The city of military glory - This is my Yelnya! The city of military glory, Sometimes in the snow, sometimes in bloom, Near the heart of the state, Like a soldier on duty. Here, in the Russian expanses, along the banks of the Desna, forces slumber that the enemies cannot overcome.

Elninsky district is located in the southeast of the Smolensk region.

Of the more than 20,000 municipalities in our country, less than 300 of them have the honor of owning an ancient historical coat of arms, and Yelnya is one of this number.

On October 10 (22), 1780, Empress Catherine II granted the city of Yelnya a coat of arms representing three green spruce trees in a silver (white) field.

Over time, changes were made to the coat of arms, but by decision of the Council of Deputies of the urban settlement dated August 20, 2010 No. 40 “On the coat of arms of the Elninsky urban settlement of the Elninsky district of the Smolensk region”, with the support of the Heraldic Council under the President of the Russian Federation, the coat of arms was restored in its historical form and in a form that meets the requirements today.

From the history…

Yelnya is one of the oldest settlements in the Smolensk region. It was first mentioned in 1150 as the urban settlement of Elna. The name is derived from “spruce”, Old Russian “elina”.

In 1239, the settlement was raided by a Mongol-Tatar detachment.

In the 15th century, Elna, as part of the Smolensk Principality, was under the rule of Lithuania, and in 1508 it was granted “for eternity” to Pan Sapega. But it was soon returned to the Russian state.

In 1780, a regular plan was approved, according to which the city developed subsequently.

In 1812, Yelnya was one of the first Russian cities to be invaded by the troops of the French Emperor Napoleon.

The headquarters of M.I. was located in Yelnya. Kutuzov during the offensive of the Russian army. The field marshal spent about two days here and during this short time he gave dozens of orders on a wide variety of issues of troop control. From here, on November 8, 1812, Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov gave the historical order to complete the defeat of the enemy and actively pursue him.

The bright pages of Yelnya's history are connected with the Great Patriotic War of 1941 - 1945.

Less than a month after the start of the war, on July 18, German tanks appeared near the city.
The enemy forces were twice as large as ours, so as a result of unequal battles, Soviet troops were forced to fortify 18 kilometers east of Yelnya. The front line, dividing the region into two parts, formed the famous Yelninsky ledge. However, the Nazis were unable to use their advantage. Units of the Soviet Army launched an offensive operation. For 26 days there were stubborn bloody battles, during which the troops of the 24th Army, with the support of aviation, completely destroyed the Yelninsky group of fascist German troops and eliminated the Yelninsky ledge. On September 6, the red flag flew over Yelnya again. The first Soviet city was recaptured from the enemy. In the battles on Elninsk land, Soviet soldiers showed miracles of courage. 14 soldiers and officers were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Here, during the fiercest battles of 1941, the Soviet Guard was born. On September 18, 1941, by order of the People's Commissar of Defense, the formations that most distinguished themselves in battle were awarded the rank of guards. By a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated July 28, 1981, the city of Yelnya was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, for the courage and fortitude shown by the city’s defenders during the Great Patriotic War, the active participation of workers in the partisan movement and the successes achieved in economic and cultural construction. On October 8, 2007, by decree No. 1346 of the President of the Russian Federation, “For the courage, fortitude and mass heroism shown by the city’s defenders in the struggle for freedom and independence of the Fatherland, Yelnya was awarded the honorary title of the Russian Federation “City of Military Glory.” Source

Brief description of the area

The Smolensk region occupies about 50,000 km in the center of the East European Plain. There are both highlands and lowlands here. The climate here is moderate continental, as the climate zone is temperate. Driving through this area, you can observe wavy surfaces, hilly areas, and river valleys.

On the territory of the Smolensk region there are many minerals of sedimentary origin. Here you can encounter deposits of brown coal, peat, rock salt, loam, and clay. Nature has not deprived these lands of healing mud and mineral waters. Sometimes there are deposits of rock crystal, silicon, ore, and ocher. Peat reserves in this area are very large. Sand, gravel, and gypsum are mined here for construction work.

In winter the temperature here is moderately frosty, in summer it is warm and rainy. Such tributaries of the Dnieper as the Vyazma, Vop, Desna, and Sozh flow through the region. From here such large rivers as the Volga and Oka, into which the Vazuza and Ugra flow, also replenish their water reserves.

The main area of the Smolensk region is occupied by sod-podzolic soils. Sometimes there are sandy and loamy areas. There are many forests, meadows, and swamps in this region. Cultivated plants are widely planted. The main representatives of forests are spruce, birch, and aspen. Oaks, maples, ash trees, and linden trees are slightly less represented. The fauna here is represented by many species of mammals and birds. About 50 species of fish are found in local reservoirs.

Sights of the Smolensk region

This term has other meanings, see Yelnya (meanings).

City
Yelnya

54°34′ N. w. 33°10′ E. d.HGЯOLCountryRussiaFederal SubjectSmolensk RegionMunicipal DistrictElninskyUrban SettlementElninskyHistory and GeographyFounded1150First mention1150City since1776Area15 km²Center height225[1] mTime zoneUTC+3:00PopulationPopulation↘8993[2] people (2018 )Katoykonimelnytsy, YelnynetsDigital identifiersTelephone+7 48146Postal codes216330OKATO66219501OKTMO66619101001OtherAwardsHonorary titleCity of military glory YelnyaMedia files on Wikimedia Commons

Commemorative coin of the Bank of Russia with a face value of 10 rubles (2011) Yelnya

- a city (since 1776[3]) in Russia, the administrative center of the Elninsky district of the Smolensk region. Population - 8993[2] people. (2018).

Railway station "Yelnya"

on a single-track non-electrified line Smolensk - Sukhinichi.

Location of the Smolensk region

The western borders of the Russian land are framed by the glorious Smolensk lands, which can be compared to a wise old warrior guarding peace. And, indeed, more than once this heroic city became a shield for Russia. Smolensk itself is located in the upper reaches of the Dnieper River at a distance of 365 km from Moscow. The Smolensk region is a subject of the Russian Federation and is part of the Central Federal District.

The city, which originated on seven hills, along which the trade route from the “Varyags to the Greeks” passed, became the center of many settlements. Today, the Smolensk region has a common border with the Bryansk, Pskov, Moscow, Kaluga, and Tver regions. Belarus adjoins the Smolensk region with the Vitebsk and Mogilev regions. The region was formed in 1937.

Geographical location[ | ]

The city is located in the southeastern part of the Smolensk region and occupies a watershed plateau - part of the so-called “Elninsky Knot” of the Smolensk-Moscow Upland. The rivers that originate here flow in different directions. Uzha (the left tributary of the Dnieper itself), originates northwest of Yelnya and flows in a northerly direction. The Desna (the largest left tributary of the Dnieper) originates northwest of Yelnya and carries its waters in a southerly direction. The Stryana River, a right tributary of the Desna, also flows from north to south. The Ugra River (the Oka River basin) originates in the southeastern corner of the district, flows through its territory in a northern direction, and then near the village of Sledneva it turns sharply to the east and goes into the Vskhodsky district. The Usiya (left tributary) and Demina (right) flow into the Ugra River in the Elninsky region. In the west, near the border of the Elninsky and Pochinkovsky districts, the basin of the Khmara River (a tributary of the Sozh) begins.

Links

Portal "Smolensk Region"

Settlements on the Desna (from source to mouth)

Russia, Russia

Yelnya | Desnogorsk | Ekimovichi

Ukraine Ukraine

right tributary Sudost | Novgorod-Seversky | Radichev

see further: Dnepr

Tradition of lyrical songs of the city of Elnya, Elninsky district, Smolensk region

The city of Yelnya is one of the oldest settlements in the Smolensk region; its first mention dates back to 1150. Since 1776, Yelnya has been a district town of the Smolensk governorship. Currently, Yelnya is not only a historical site, but also one of the brightest centers of traditional folk musical culture.

The custodians of the Elninsky song tradition are members of a wonderful authentic folklore ensemble consisting of local residents of the older generation - seven women aged 62 to 85 years and one man, Nikolai Pavlovich Sinyukhin, born in 1930. His participation in the group is of particular interest, since until now folklore collectors have rightly noted the predominantly female character of the Smolensk song tradition, including the lyrical one. It should be noted that N.P. Sinyukhin is by no means a leader in the ensemble; it is difficult for him to show his performing initiative in the self-sufficient female sound world of local musical and poetic folklore. In lyrical songs, he duplicates the line of the upper voice an octave lower.

Most often, lyrical songs were sung in the open air: in a field, in a meadow, on the street. They could also be sung on the go, for example, on the way to haymaking. At the same time, the vocal style was distinguished by extreme volume: they sang at the top of their lungs, loudly. In this way, a timbre was “developed”, designed to sound in a wide space.

Such qualities of the sound world of the female folklore tradition as collective singing in nature, extremely loud sound, “formular” syllabic rhythm, and the relative limited “vocabulary” of melodic turns form easily recognizable features of the traditional Smolensk lyrical song. The stylistic unity of women's lyrical songs is convincingly manifested by the Yelninsky singers using classic, simple and wise song material for the local folklore tradition.

The local style is dominated by the principle of repetition. The similarity of works with different texts is revealed primarily in the narrowness of the scales, which, as a rule, do not exceed fifths. A small part of the songs, for example, “Dove Dove” and “Totally My Tummy,” are of a quart nature, which makes them similar to local ritual songs. The tunes of most lyrical songs have a volume of fifths: “By the well, by the deep one,” “There was a white birch tree on the mountain,” “We have three thorn paths in the field,” “My black eyebrows,” “I’m tired of it,” and “The evening dawn has set.” " During the sound recording, which took place indoors, all songs were sounded in a relatively low register - from B-flat of the small octave to G of the first octave. Singing at such a height sounded soft, easy and not extremely loud. But it seems that in an open space, in nature, an increase in volume would also lead to an increase in the singing register by about a third.

Unison polyphony with elements of heterophony mainly in the final sections of the tunes, a limited number of melodic turns, very similar to each other, the absence of wide intra-syllable chants, the connection of each tune with not one, but with a whole group of poetic texts - these are the main features of Yelninsky lyrical songs that form the basis , the “core” of the local vocal repertoire.

Against this background, songs with a wide sound volume look isolated: “The conversation was intoxicating,” “My birch splinter,” “A wild berry was born.” All of them differ significantly from the main group of local lyrical songs and have not so much a local, Elninsky, but an all-Russian character, characteristic of many local traditions.

The song “A wild berry was born” in its melodic structure is clearly “alien” for the Yelnya tradition. But it is more suitable than others for solo and duet performance. In the solo singing of Nikolai Pavlovich Sinyukhin one can note a soft male vibrato, a style close to academic singing. And in his joint performance of the same song with the wonderful 85-year-old singer of the group, Maria Efremovna Kosenkova, parallel sixths are beautifully and purely intonated in an “inverted” two-voice, where the line of the upper voice is led by a man in a lower register, and the “second” sounds at the top of the woman.

All the group’s chants are characterized by skillful intonation variation, “playing” with timbre and modal colors, the ability to build a composition of large-scale multi-stanza songs and gently highlight the climax of the chant, which, as a rule, coincides with the point of the “golden ratio” within the stanza.

Noteworthy are also such features of the local singing tradition as an even greater prolongation of the long upper sounds in the initial phrases of the chant (“There was a white birch tree on the mountain”, “By the deep well”, “Dove dove”, “My black eyebrows”, “ I want to grow my belly"), free transitions to recitative fragmentation, performance almost “talking” in the middle sections of the chants, and then again to a smooth leading of the melody in the final phrases.

Currently, Elninsky lyrical songs are of great interest to many youth amateur folk ensembles, who actively include them in their repertoire.

History[ | ]

It is believed that Yelnya was first mentioned as Yelna

in the Charter of Smolensk Prince Rostislav in 1150 [ source not specified 608 days

] (according to other sources, in the document “On the city and honors”, compiled between 1211-1218).

In 1239, the settlement was raided by a Mongol-Tatar detachment.

In the 15th century, Yelnya, together with the Smolensk Principality, was part of Lithuania, and in 1608 it was granted “for eternity” to Pan Sapega, but was soon conquered by the Moscow state.

During the Polish-Swedish intervention, Yelnya was returned to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, but in 1654, during the war with Poland, which began after the reunification of Russia with Ukraine, it was again annexed to the Moscow state.

Coat of arms of Yelnya 1780

In 1776, Yelnya became a city and the district center of the Smolensk governorship. By this time, the city had 4 streets, 9 alleys, 131 residential buildings, an almshouse, a forge, a tavern and a drinking house.

In 1780, a regular plan was approved, according to which the city developed subsequently.

In 1812, Yelnya, along with other Russian cities, was invaded by French troops, and during the offensive of the Russian army, M. I. Kutuzov and his headquarters were here for about two days.

Years of the Great Patriotic War

Less than a month after the start of the war, on July 18, German tanks appeared near the city. The German army had a numerical advantage, so as a result of unequal battles, Soviet troops were forced to fortify 18 kilometers east of Yelnya. The front line, which divided the region into two parts, formed the famous Yelninsky ledge

. However, the Nazis were unable to use their advantage. Units of the Soviet Army launched an offensive operation. For 26 days there were stubborn bloody battles, during which the troops of the 24th Army, with the support of aviation, defeated the Yelninsky group of fascist German troops and eliminated the Yelninsky ledge. On September 6, the red flag flew over Yelnya again. The second Soviet city (after Velikie Luki) was recaptured from the enemy.

In the battles on Elninsk land, Soviet soldiers showed miracles of courage. 14 soldiers and officers were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Here, during the fiercest battles of 1941, the Soviet Guard was born; On September 18, 1941, by order of the People's Commissar of Defense, the formations that most distinguished themselves in battle were awarded the title of “Guards.”

The recapture of the city by the Germans occurred a month later, on October 6, and lasted until August 30, 1943, when during the Elninsky-Dorogobuzh operation it was liberated by the forces of the 10th Guards and 21st armies with the support of units of the 2nd Guards Tank Corps (Western front).

In honor of the liberation of the city, a salute was given in Moscow with 12 artillery salvoes from 124 guns[4].

Architectural monuments

Among the most ancient architectural buildings in Smolensk, one can highlight the stone fortress. It was built under the leadership of Tsar Fyodor Ioanovich, since in the 16th-17th centuries territorial disputes arose between the Principality of Moscow and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. About 30,000 hired workers were used for this construction. This architectural monument consists of fortress walls and 38 towers, some of them reaching 33 meters in height. This is the most powerful wall of Russian times. The construction was supervised by the famous Smolensk master Fyodor Kon.

In the Smolensk region, like no other, monuments of Russian culture of the pre-Mongol period have been preserved. Here you can find works in the Baroque style, as well as unsurpassed examples of church construction.

In Smolensk there are several memorial signs and complexes that capture the memory of many military events. Also, many monumental monuments dedicated to famous fellow countrymen appeared here. “The green necklace of the city” is what the residents of Smolensk call their parks and squares.

City of military glory - Yelnya

Keytown invites readers to take a trip to the Homeland of the Soviet Guard, one of the oldest settlements in the Smolensk region, the city of Yelnya.

Yelnya celebrates City Day on the last Sunday of August. On August 30, 2022, she will turn 865 years old, on the Day of the city’s liberation from the Nazis (08/30/1943). The population of the Elninsky district is 13.8 thousand people (as of 01/01/2015).

Base

Previously, the settlement was called Elna, the name is derived from “spruce”, the Old Russian “elina”.

Story

The bright pages of Yelnya's history are connected with the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

In honor of the liberation of the city, a salute was given in Moscow with 12 artillery salvoes from 124 guns

Attractions

Symbolism

Streets in Shumyachi, Smolensk, Cherepovets, Novosibirsk and Moscow are named after the city.

Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka (May 20 [June 1] 1804, Novospasskoye village, Smolensk province - February 3 [15], 1857, Berlin; buried in St. Petersburg) - Russian composer.
Mikhail Vasilyevich Isakovsky (1900 - 1973) - Russian Soviet poet. Winner of two Stalin Prizes of the first degree (1943, 1949). Hero of Socialist Labor (1970).
Sergei Timofeevich Konenkov (1874-1971) - Russian and Soviet sculptor. Even before the revolution, Konenkov was called the “Russian Rodin.”
Joseph Isaakovich Makovsky (November 10, 1918, Yelnya, now Smolensk region - December 24, 1986, Moscow) - Hero of the Soviet Union (1940), colonel (1949), tank driver.
Veniamin Nikolaevich Rukosuev (1902 - January 26, 1945) - Soviet military leader, colonel (1943), Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1944).

Reconstruction of the Yelnya fortress Cathedral Square in Yelnya

Ekaterininskaya street, Yelnya Yelnya, view of the city. Early 20th century Stele at the entrance to Yelnya Stele "City of Military Glory" Station complex Station Cinema Memorial in the city square Bust of Glinke near the music school Chapel in the square Memorial of the Soviet Guard born in the battles near Yelnya Eternal flame in the square Yelnya, Proletarskaya st. Yelnya, st. .Proletarskaya Yelnya, Proletarskaya St. Elias Church 1992 Monument to the Guardsmen. Tank T 34-85 at the entrance from Pochinok Memorial to the victims who fell in the battles for Yelnya Manor house M.I. Glinka, Novospasskoye village Tikhvin Church, Novospasskoye village Uvarovo, Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands

Population[ | ]

Population
1856[5]	1897[5]	1913[5]	1926[5]	1931[5]	1939[6]	1959[7]	1970[8]	1979[9]
3700	↘2400	↗7500	↘4400	↘4300	↗7132	↘6897	↗8336	↗9078
1989[10]	1992[5]	1996[5]	1998[5]	2000[5]	2001[5]	2002[11]	2003[5]	2005[5]
↗9868	↘9500	↗10 700	↗11 600	↘10 900	↘10 700	↗10 798	↗10 800	↘10 300
2006[5]	2007[5]	2008[12]	2009[13]	2010[5]	2011[5]	2012[14]	2013[15]	2014[16]
↘10 200	↘10 000	↗10 100	↘9991	↘9900	↗10 100	↘10 025	↘9783	↘9573
2015[17]	2016[18]	2017[19]	2018[2]
↘9463	↘9324	↘9168	↘8993

As of January 1, 2022, in terms of population, the city was in 966th place out of 1115[20]cities of the Russian Federation[21].

Population

Population
1856[5]	1897[5]	1913[5]	1926[5]	1931[5]	1939[6]	1959[7]
3700	↘2400	↗7500	↘4400	↘4300	↗7132	↘6897
1970[8]	1979[9]	1989[10]	1992[5]	1996[5]	1998[5]	2000[5]
↗8336	↗9078	↗9868	↘9500	↗10 700	↗11 600	↘10 900
2001[5]	2002[11]	2003[5]	2005[5]	2006[5]	2007[5]	2008[12]
↘10 700	↗10 798	↗10 800	↘10 300	↘10 200	↘10 000	↗10 100
2009[13]	2010[5]	2011[5]	2012[14]	2013[15]	2014[16]	2015[17]
↘9991	↘9900	↗10 100	↘10 025	↘9783	↘9573	↘9463
2016[2]
↘9324

Latest Population Counts

The population of the Smolensk region in 2016 was 958,600 people. As of January 1 of this year, there were 690,000 (72%) urban residents, 268,600 (28%) rural residents. It should be noted that the western regions of the region are more populated than the rest. The smallest population is in the eastern regions (Temkinsky, Ugransky). The number of children and adolescents is 336,000. The population of the Smolensk region in 2016 decreased by 6,000 people compared to 2015.

Awards[ | ]

The honorary title of the Russian Federation “City of Military Glory” (October 8, 2007) with the presentation of a diploma from the President of Russia - for courage, fortitude and mass heroism shown by the defenders of the city in the struggle for freedom and independence of the Fatherland
.
Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree (July 28, 1981) - for the courage and fortitude shown by the defenders of the city during the Great Patriotic War, the active participation of workers in the partisan movement and the successes achieved in economic and cultural construction
.

Attractions[ | ]

On the left bank of the river. Desna, at the confluence of the Gorodianka River, on a low hill, the remains of a 12th century settlement have been preserved.

Since 1780, Yelnya developed according to a regular plan with a geometrically regular grid of streets lined with wooden houses. At the end of the 18th - beginning of the 20th centuries. stone buildings were built: a station complex, a water tower in pseudo-Gothic style, a gymnasium, shops; mainly in the right bank part of the city.

After the war, it was built up while preserving the historical structure of the city. Church of Elijah the Prophet (1992). On the central square (in the park of military glory) there is a memorial in honor of the first guardsmen (1971).

21 km south of Yelnya, in the village of Novospasskoye, is the Museum-Estate of the composer M. I. Glinka. Manor house (1807-10). Church of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God (1786).

In the village of Uvarovo there is the Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands (1790).

Photo gallery

Desna river in Yelnya.jpg
Desna in Yelnya
Ilyinskaya church in Yelnya 2.jpg
Elias Church
Mass grave in Yelnya.jpg
Mass grave in the city park
Park in Yelnya.jpg
Chapel in the park
Street in Yelnya.jpg
Pedestrianized street
Yelnya railway station 2.jpg
Architectural monuments of the 19th century: railway station and water tower

Sights of the Smolensk region

Sights of the Smolensk region. The most important and interesting sights of the Smolensk region - photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, websites.

Last minute tours
to Russia

Smolensk region the very best
Katyn forest
15 kilometers from Smolensk is the world-famous Katyn Forest. The picturesque forest area on the banks of the Dnieper, between the villages of Katyn and Gnezdovo, unfortunately, has a very tragic history.
Smolensk region, Talashkino village
Talashkino
Smolensk region, Talashkino village
The Tenishev princes acquired the Talashkino estate in 1893. The estate owes its fame to its owner, Maria Klavdievna Tenisheva, an educator and philanthropist who spared no time and effort in creating an exemplary farm, a school for peasant children and applied arts workshops.
Smolensk region, Vyazemsky district
Khmelita
Smolensk region, Vyazemsky district
There is a wonderful place in the Smolensk region that will appeal not only to lovers of original Russian landscapes and quiet provinces, but also to fans of Griboedov’s work. We are talking about the historical, cultural and natural reserve Khmelita.
Vyazma, st. Lenina, 11
Arkadievsky Monastery
Vyazma, st. Lenina, 11 The Arkadievsky Monastery, known throughout the Smolensk region for its women's choir, skilled needlewomen and zealous prayer books, has not survived intact to this day. By the end of the 20th century. it has almost half lost its original appearance, retaining only a small fraction of its former splendor.
Vyazma, st. Vosstaniya, 8
Exhibition hall of the Vyazemsky Museum of Local Lore
Vyazma, st. Vosstaniya, 8 In 1992, an exhibition hall was opened at the Vyazemsky Museum of History and Local Lore, designed to host a variety of temporary exhibitions: artistic, historical, everyday, ethnographic, local history and many others. The museum is located in an ancient building built at the beginning of the 20th century.
Vyazma, st. Dokuchaeva, 48A
Vyazemsky St. John the Baptist Monastery
Vyazma, st. Dokuchaeva, 48A Vyazemsky St. John the Baptist Monastery is located in a surprisingly clean, very cozy, almost idyllic place. A kind of peaceful silence reigns everywhere; here it is so easy to drive away obsessive thoughts about everyday worries and be alone with yourself.
Vyazma, pl. Sovetskaya, 3
Vyazemsky Museum of History and Local Lore
Vyazma, pl. Sovetskaya, 3 The Vyazemsky Museum of History and Local Lore is visited not only by tourists who are interested in the historical past of the city; every self-respecting traveler strives to pay attention to this museum, and there are several undeniable reasons for this.
Gnezdovo mounds
Smolensk region, village. Gnezdovo Not far from Smolensk, only 12 kilometers, is the archaeological reserve Gnezdovo Kurgans. The complex consists of burial mounds and ancient settlements. The historical and cultural monument owes its name to the village of Gnezdovo, located on the banks of the Dnieper.
Vyazma, pl. Efremova, 3, apt. 22
Museum of Sergei Yesenin in Vyazma
Vyazma, pl. Efremova, 3, apt. 22 The Vyazemsky Museum of Sergei Yesenin is the first and to date the only museum in the Smolensk region dedicated to the life and work of the famous poet. Not only is it not inferior in value to its collection to the Yesenin Museum in the village of Konstantinovo, it is also a very homely, warm museum.
Vyazma, per. Nagorny, 1
Holy Trinity Cathedral in Vyazma
Vyazma, per. Nagorny, 1 In the historical center of Vyazma, on the left bank of the river, is located the beautiful Holy Trinity Cathedral - the heart of the city and a place of attraction for numerous pilgrims and ordinary tourists wandering across the vast Russian expanses.
Smolensk region, Demidovsky district, pos. Przhevalskoe, st. Gurevicha, 19
Smolensk Poozerie
Smolensk region, Demidovsky district, pos. Przhevalskoe, st. Gurevicha, 19 It’s not hard to guess why the Smolensk Poozerie National Park is called that way. Of course, it is located near Smolensk and surrounded by a large number of reservoirs. There are as many as 35 lakes of glacial origin, each of which is beautiful in its own way.
Vyazma, st. Dokuchaeva, 48A
Church of Hodegetria in Vyazma
Vyazma, st. Dokuchaeva, 48A A flower of amazing beauty bloomed in the 17th century on Vyazma land and still adorns these lands - the Odigitrievskaya Church, the like of which is no longer found not only in Vyazma, but throughout the entire Smolensk region. The temple is also characterized by the fact that it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Smolensk is rich in historical architectural attractions, the bulk of which are temples, cathedrals and monasteries. These include: the Church of Michael the Archangel, built at the beginning of the 12th century, the Avraamiev Monastery, founded at the beginning of the 13th century, the Smolensk fortress wall erected at the end of the 16th century, the Smolensk forge - the oldest civil building in the Smolensk region (built at the turn of the 17th-18th centuries) , Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (built from 1884 to 1896), etc. There are also about 30 monuments and memorials in the city, including the Scorched Flower, erected in memory of children who died in fascist concentration camps, the monument to the Defenders of Smolensk on August 4-5 1812, monument to Kutuzov. In the very center of the city, near the fortress wall, there is a Square in memory of heroes. There are only two such memorials in the Russian Federation: the second one is located on Red Square in Moscow.
In general, the Smolensk region is a western region of Russia, which can be called one of the most combative during the Second World War: many battles took place on its territory, as a result of which settlements passed from one hand to another.
The Katyn Forest is located just 15 kilometers from Smolensk. Unfortunately, this place is known for terrible events. On the site of the current Katyn Memorial, several thousand Polish and Soviet officers were shot in 1940. Now flowers and candles are brought to the memorial in memory of the fallen soldiers.
The Gnezdovo Kurgans archaeological reserve represents many burial mounds and settlements that have been preserved here since the times of Ancient Rus'.
The small village of Gnezdovo, located just 12 kilometers from Smolensk, invariably attracts the attention of tourists. The Gnezdovo Kurgans archaeological reserve is located here. It represents many burial mounds and settlements that have been preserved here since the times of Ancient Rus'.
Again, not far from the regional center there is another attraction - the Smolensk Poozerie National Park. It is formed by 35 lakes of glacial origin, each of which is unique in its beauty. The national park was created to preserve nature and study local flora and fauna. Many plants growing here are listed in the Red Book.
And in the Vyazemsky district of the Smolensk region there is the historical, cultural and natural reserve Khmelita, organized on the basis of the museum-estate of A. S. Griboyedov. This place is rightfully appreciated by both lovers of native Russian landscapes and admirers of the work of the great Russian writer Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov.
In general, when talking about the sights of the Smolensk region, we must remember that the historical heritage of the Smolensk land, even if it does not always tell about joyful events, is an important part of the culture of our country.

Excerpt characterizing Yelnya

“Yes, yes,” said the governor’s wife, as if speaking to herself. - But here’s what else, mon cher, entre autres. Vous etes trop assidu aupres de l'autre, la blonde. [My friend. You look after that blond girl too much.] The husband is pathetic, really... “Oh no, we are friends,” Nikolai said in the simplicity of his soul: it never occurred to him that such a fun pastime for him could be for him. no one is having fun. “What a stupid thing I said, however, to the governor’s wife! – Nikolai suddenly remembered during dinner. “She’ll definitely start wooing, and Sonya?..” And, saying goodbye to the governor’s wife, when she, smiling, told him once again: “Well, remember,” he took her aside: “But here’s the truth.” tell you, ma tante... - What, what, my friend; Let's go sit here. Nikolai suddenly felt the desire and need to tell all his innermost thoughts (those that he would not have told his mother, sister, friend) to this almost stranger. Nikolai later, when he recalled this impulse of unprovoked, inexplicable frankness, which, however, had very important consequences for him, it seemed (as it always seems to people) that he had found a stupid verse; and yet this outburst of frankness, together with other minor events, had enormous consequences for him and for the whole family. - That's it, ma tante. Maman has long wanted to marry me to a rich woman, but the thought alone disgusts me, marrying for money. “Oh yes, I understand,” said the governor’s wife. – But Princess Bolkonskaya, that’s another matter; first of all, I’ll tell you the truth, I really like her, she’s after my heart, and then, after I met her in this position, it’s so strange, it often occurred to me that this was fate. Think especially: maman has been thinking about this for a long time, but I had never met her before, as it all happened: we didn’t meet. And at a time when Natasha was her brother’s fiancée, because then I would not have been able to think about marrying her. It’s necessary that I met her exactly when Natasha’s wedding was upset, and then that’s it... Yes, that’s what. I haven't told this to anyone and I won't tell it. And only to you. The governor's wife shook his elbow gratefully. – Do you know Sophie, cousin? I love her, I promised to marry her and I will marry her... Therefore, you see that this is out of the question,” Nikolai said awkwardly and blushing. - Mon cher, mon cher, how do you judge? But Sophie has nothing, and you yourself said that things are very bad for your dad. And your maman? This will kill her, for one. Then Sophie, if she is a girl with a heart, what kind of life will she have? The mother is in despair, things are upset... No, mon cher, you and Sophie must understand this. Nikolai was silent. He was pleased to hear these conclusions. “Still, ma tante, this can’t be,” he said with a sigh, after a short silence. “Will the princess still marry me?” and again, she is now in mourning. Is it possible to think about this? - Do you really think that I will marry you now? Il ya maniere et maniere, [There is a manner for everything.] - said the governor’s wife. “What a matchmaker you are, ma tante...” said Nicolas, kissing her plump hand. Arriving in Moscow after her meeting with Rostov, Princess Marya found there her nephew with his tutor and a letter from Prince Andrei, who prescribed them their route to Voronezh, to Aunt Malvintseva. Concerns about the move, worries about her brother, the arrangement of life in a new house, new faces, raising her nephew - all this drowned out in the soul of Princess Marya that feeling of temptation that tormented her during her illness and after the death of her father, and especially after meeting with Rostov. She was sad. The impression of the loss of her father, which was combined in her soul with the destruction of Russia, now, after a month that had passed since then in the conditions of a calm life, was felt more and more strongly by her. She was anxious: the thought of the dangers to which her brother, the only close person left with her, was exposed, tormented her incessantly. She was preoccupied with raising her nephew, for whom she felt constantly incapable; but in the depths of her soul there was an agreement with herself, resulting from the consciousness that she had suppressed the personal dreams and hopes that had arisen in herself, connected with the appearance of Rostov. When the next day after her evening, the governor’s wife came to Malvintseva and, having talked with her aunt about her plans (having made the reservation that, although under the current circumstances it is impossible to even think about formal matchmaking, it is still possible to bring the young people together, let them get to know each other ), and when, having received the approval of her aunt, the governor's wife under Princess Marya spoke about Rostov, praising him and telling how he blushed at the mention of the princess, Princess Marya experienced not a joyful, but a painful feeling: her inner agreement no longer existed, and again Desires, doubts, reproaches and hopes arose. In those two days that passed from the time of this news to the visit to Rostov, Princess Marya continually thought about how she should behave in relation to Rostov. Then she decided that she would not go into the living room when he arrived at his aunt’s, that in her deep mourning it was indecent for her to receive guests; then she thought it would be rude after what he had done for her; then it occurred to her that her aunt and the governor’s wife had some kind of plans for her and Rostov (their looks and words sometimes seemed to confirm this assumption); then she told herself that only she, with her depravity, could think this about them: they could not help but remember that in her position, when she had not yet taken off her plereza, such matchmaking would be insulting both to her and to the memory of her father. Assuming that she would come out to him, Princess Marya came up with the words that he would say to her and that she would say to him; and sometimes these words seemed to her undeservedly cold, sometimes they had too much meaning. Most of all, when meeting with him, she was afraid of embarrassment, which, she felt, should take possession of her and betray her as soon as she saw him. But when, on Sunday after mass, the footman reported in the living room that Count Rostov had arrived, the princess did not show embarrassment; only a slight blush appeared on her cheeks, and her eyes lit up with a new, radiant light. -Have you seen him, auntie? - Princess Marya said in a calm voice, not knowing how she could be so outwardly calm and natural. When Rostov entered the room, the princess lowered her head for a moment, as if giving time to the guest to greet his aunt, and then, at the very time Nikolai turned to her, she raised her head and met his gaze with sparkling eyes. With a movement full of dignity and grace, she stood up with a joyful smile, extended her thin, gentle hand to him and spoke in a voice in which for the first time new, feminine chest sounds were heard. M lle Bourienne, who was in the living room, looked at Princess Marya with bewildered surprise. The most skillful coquette, she herself could not have maneuvered better when meeting a person who needed to please. “Either black suits her so well, or she really has gotten so prettier and I didn’t notice. And most importantly – this tact and grace!” - thought m lle Bourienne. If Princess Marya had been able to think at that moment, she would have been even more surprised than M lle Bourienne at the change that had taken place in her. From the moment she saw this sweet, beloved face, some new force of life took possession of her and forced her, against her will, to speak and act. Her face, from the time Rostov entered, suddenly changed. How suddenly, with unexpected, striking beauty, that complex, skillful artistic work appears on the walls of the painted and carved lantern, which previously seemed rough, dark and meaningless, when the light is lit inside: so suddenly the face of Princess Marya was transformed. For the first time, all that pure spiritual inner work with which she had lived until now came out. All her inner work, dissatisfied with herself, her suffering, desire for good, humility, love, self-sacrifice - all this now shone in those radiant eyes, in her thin smile, in every feature of her gentle face. Rostov saw all this as clearly as if he had known her all her life. He felt that the creature in front of him was completely different, better than all those he had met so far, and better, most importantly, than himself. The conversation was very simple and insignificant. They talked about the war, involuntarily, like everyone else, exaggerating their sadness about this event, they talked about the last meeting, and Nikolai tried to divert the conversation to another subject, they talked about the good governor’s wife, about the relatives of Nikolai and Princess Marya. Princess Marya did not talk about her brother, diverting the conversation to another subject as soon as her aunt spoke about Andrei. It was clear that she could talk about the misfortunes of Russia feignedly, but her brother was a subject too close to her heart, and she did not want and could not talk lightly about him. Nikolai noticed this, just as he, with an astute observation unusual for him, noticed all the shades of Princess Marya’s character, which all only confirmed his conviction that she was a very special and extraordinary creature. Nikolai, just like Princess Marya, blushed and was embarrassed when they told him about the princess and even when he thought about her, but in her presence he felt completely free and said not at all what he had prepared, but what instantly and always opportunely came to his mind. During Nikolai's short visit, as always, where there are children, in a moment of silence Nikolai ran to Prince Andrei's little son, caressing him and asking if he wanted to be a hussar? He took the boy in his arms, began to twirl him cheerfully and looked back at Princess Marya. A tender, happy and timid gaze followed the boy she loved in the arms of her loved one. Nikolai noticed this look and, as if understanding its meaning, blushed with pleasure and began to kiss the boy good-naturedly and cheerfully. Princess Marya did not go out on the occasion of mourning, and Nikolai did not consider it proper to visit them; but the governor’s wife still continued her matchmaking business and, having conveyed to Nikolai the flattering things that Princess Marya had said about him, and back, insisted that Rostov explain himself to Princess Marya. For this explanation, she arranged a meeting between the young people at the bishop's before mass. Although Rostov told the governor’s wife that he would not have any explanation with Princess Marya, he promised to come. Just as in Tilsit, Rostov did not allow himself to doubt whether what was recognized by everyone as good was good, so now, after a short but sincere struggle between an attempt to arrange his life according to his own mind and humble submission to circumstances, he chose the latter and left himself to the power that (he felt) irresistibly attracted him somewhere. He knew that, having promised Sonya, expressing his feelings to Princess Marya would be what he called meanness. And he knew that he would never do anything mean. But he also knew (and not that he knew, but in the depths of his soul he felt) that, now surrendering to the power of circumstances and the people who led him, he not only was not doing anything bad, but was doing something very, very important, such important, something he had never done before in his life.

Urban settlement[ | ]

Elninskoye urban settlement (total area 86 km², population 10,605 people): formed on December 1, 2004, located in the central part of the region. In addition to the city, Yelnya includes the villages: Vasilki, Danino, Moitevo, Podgornoye, Prilepy, Romashkovo, Khodykino, Kholmy, Shuyarovo, Yaroslavl.

Borders: in the south - with the Novospassky rural settlement

in the west - with the Leonidovsky rural settlement

in the northwest - with the Rozhdestvensky rural settlement

in the northeast - with the Bobrovichi rural settlement

in the east - with the Proninsky rural settlement

in the southeast - with the Mutishchensky rural settlement

The head of the municipality and chairman of the council of deputies is Vladimir Evgenievich Levchenkov, the head of the administration is Nikolay Danilovich Mishchenkov[22].

City of military glory - Yelnya

Keytown invites readers to take a trip to the Homeland of the Soviet Guard, one of the oldest settlements in the Smolensk region, the city of Yelnya.

Base

Story

Attractions

Symbolism

Notes

Tourism

From the history…

The bright pages of Yelnya's history are connected with the Great Patriotic War of 1941 - 1945.

Brief description of the area

Sights of the Smolensk region

Location of the Smolensk region

Geographical location[ | ]

Links

Tradition of lyrical songs of the city of Elnya, Elninsky district, Smolensk region

History[ | ]

Architectural monuments

City of military glory - Yelnya

Keytown invites readers to take a trip to the Homeland of the Soviet Guard, one of the oldest settlements in the Smolensk region, the city of Yelnya.

Base

Story

Attractions

Symbolism

Population[ | ]

Population

Latest Population Counts

Awards[ | ]

Attractions[ | ]

Photo gallery

Sights of the Smolensk region

Katyn forest

Talashkino

Khmelita

Arkadievsky Monastery

Exhibition hall of the Vyazemsky Museum of Local Lore

Vyazemsky St. John the Baptist Monastery

Vyazemsky Museum of History and Local Lore

Gnezdovo mounds

Museum of Sergei Yesenin in Vyazma

Holy Trinity Cathedral in Vyazma

Smolensk Poozerie

Church of Hodegetria in Vyazma

Excerpt characterizing Yelnya

Urban settlement[ | ]