Pechersk (selo), Smolensky District, Smolensk Oblast explained

Pechersk (Russian: Пече́рск), also spelled Pechyorsk (Russian: Печёрск), is a rural locality (a selo) in Smolensky District of Smolensk Oblast, Russia, located 7km (04miles) north of Smolensk.^[1] Population: 4,067 (1998 est.).

Etymology

The name "Pechersk" is derived from the Old Russian word "Russian: печера", meaning "cave".

History

In 1859, it had an Orthodox church and a population of nineteen (ten male and nine female), living in five homesteads.^[2] Administratively, it was a part of Smolensky Uyezd of Smolensk Governorate.

Until December 28, 2004, it had a status of a settlement.^[3]

On April 10, 2010, a Tupolev Tu-154M aircraft of the Polish 36th Special Aviation Regiment crashed near Smolensk-North air base near Pechersk, killing the President of Poland Lech Kaczyński and other Polish officials.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Encyclopedia of Smolensk Oblast. Entry on "Pechyorsk"
2. Book: Центральный статистический комитетъ Министерства внутреннихъ делъ. XL Смоленская губернія. Списокъ населённыхъ мѣстъ по сведениямъ 1859 года.. 1868. Санктпетербургъ. 10.
3. Смоленская областная Дума. Постановление. 657. 28 декабря 2004 г.. О преобразовании отдельных административно-территориальных единиц в Смоленском районе Смоленской области. со дня принятия. http://smolensk.news-city.info/docs/sistemsc/dok_oegnai.htm. Smolensk Oblast Duma. Resolution. 657. December 28, 2004. On the Transformation of Several Administrative-Territorial Units in Smolensky District of Smolensk Oblast. the day of adoption.
4. News: Polish president killed in plane crash. 2010-04-10. Turner Broadcasting System. CNN. 2010-04-10.