The main historic symbol of the city is the Smolensk Fortress. The complex of defensive constructions started to be built in the 16th century. For the years of its existence, the fortress had been damaged during major battles. Some of the constructions were destroyed during the Patriotic War of 1812. Despite multiple bloody battles, 18 towers of the fortress and the 3.5 km wall fragment have survived to this day. The Smolensk Fortress is considered as the historical monument of national significance. The most beautiful religious construction is the Cathedral of the Assumption. It is located on the top of Cathedral Mount. The church was built in the first half of the 17th century. The first church at its site was built much earlier, in the 12th century. The Cathedral of the Assumption is one of the few religious monuments in the city that was not destroyed in wartime. It impresses with its inimitable exterior. The walls of the big monastery are painted in azure and white. The cathedral houses the important religious artifact, the relics of Mercury Smolenskiy, a city patron. Another architectural monument is the building of Alexandrov Real School that has been occupying by the art gallery since 2010. This museum houses the works of Aivazovsky, Repin, Benua, Levitan, Rerih, Falk, and other famous Russian and European painters. Temporary exhibitions are organized in some rooms of the historic building. Another popular culture venue is the History Museum that
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