Вязьма / Vyazma in pre-revolutionary photographs

<p id="eow-description" class="">Дореволюционная Россия на фотографиях
Вязьма

Pre-revolutionary photographs of Russia
Vyazma

Vyazma is a town in Smolensk Oblast, Russia and throughout her turbulent history, defended the western approaches to Moscow.
First mentioned in chronicles dating to 1230, the town is believed to be much older and was named after the river, whose name was from Russian word "вязь" (vyaz'), meaning "bog" or "swamp".
The town remained a part of the Smolensk principality until 1403, when it was seized by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
In 1494, Vyazma was captured by the Grand Duchy of Moscow and turned into a fortress town with an earthen stronghold erected on a high cliff overlooking the Vyazma River. After the devastating wars of the 16th and early 17th centuries, Moscow decided to rebuild the kremlin, but without costly masonry walls. Within these fortified walls also contained a cathedral, dedicated to the Trinity. During the 1812 War, the town fell to the retreating French and much of Vyazma was burnt to the ground………..

Music:
The Dream in A flat major by Anton Arensky</p>