Concurrently, Smolensk was an urban centre of the Slavic (Krivich) population, where the regional veche was held. After Vladimir the Great established a local principality for his son, the administrative centre of the region and the seat of princely power was moved from Gnyozdovo to Smyadyn Castle near Smolensk.
Concurrently, Smolensk was a Slavic (Krivich) urban center where the regional veche was convened. After Vladimir the Great established a local principality for his son, the administrative hub of the region and the seat of princely authority shifted from Gnyozdovo to Smyadyn Castle near Smolensk.