The Gromovaya (Thunder) Tower of the Smolensk Fortress, built in the early XVII century, was rebuilt many times. At various times it housed the archives of the Governorate, then a museum of socialist construction, and it was even used as an apartment building. But later the Gromovaya Tower was completely restored according to historical plans and drawings.
Since the 70s of the XX century the Gromovaya Tower houses the “Smolensk is Shield of Russia” Museum where you can learn about the history of the Smolensk Kremlin, see the fortress models, admire the decoration of the tower and the wooden tent of its roof. Mounting the narrow stairs to the fourth tier, you can get to the observation deck and walk along the part of the fortress wall open to tourists.