Dorogobuzh

Dorogobuzh stands on the upper Dnieper east of Smolensk, guarding a route between the Russian interior and the western borderlands. Its fortified heights and riverbank settlement belonged to the Smolensk principality before passing between Lithuania, Moscow and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The road through the town brought armies as well as merchants.

In 1500 Muscovite forces defeated a Lithuanian army at the Vedrosha near Dorogobuzh. The town changed hands repeatedly during the Time of Troubles; in 1617 its governor surrendered to Prince Władysław, and the Truce of Deulino left it to the Commonwealth. It received Magdeburg rights in 1625. Russian forces retook Dorogobuzh in 1654, and the Truce of Andrusovo confirmed the transfer in 1667. In 1812 Napoleon's army passed through the town during both its advance and retreat, leaving severe destruction behind.