Gromovaya Tower (Tupinskaya)

One of the most beautiful and visited towers of the Smolensk fortress wall, built in 1609. With its battlements, the tower reaches a height of 22 meters and is topped with a wooden spire. Just below the battlements are machicolations — overhanging arrow slits. Lightning often struck the tower and thunder roared — hence the name “Gromovaya” (Thunder Tower). Another name — Tupinskaya — has also survived: at this point, the fortress wall forms a blunt angle (“tupoy ugol” in Russian). The Gromovaya Tower Museum features an open exit to the curtain wall for walking along the fortress wall.