Museum 'City Smithy of the 17th Century'

About museum

The museum is located in the oldest surviving civilian building in Smolensk, built in the first half of the 17th century. It formerly housed the 'Polish archive', and later the building was adapted as a smithy. The first hall displays items of the blacksmith's craft from the 17th-19th centuries, such as keys, locks, edged weapons, tableware, lighting fixtures and candlesticks. In the second hall visitors can see a smithing workshop with bellows, an anvil and tools. Special attention is paid to recreating the atmosphere of the craftsman's work using the forge's flame. A guide dressed as a blacksmith explains the intricacies of the craft.