The Museum of Smolensk Flax is part of the Smolensk State Reserve Museum and was opened on December 25, 1980. It is dedicated to the history of flax cultivation and processing, as well as weaving in the Smolensk region. The unique exhibition of the museum, referred to as a hymn to the "northern silk," includes plowing tools, authentic instruments for growing and processing flax, as well as a rich collection of Smolensk costumes with belts and headwear. Here, visitors can see "andaraks," "sayans," "sorokokliny," embroidery, block printing, and lace, revealing the vibrant world of folk art.

Museum visitors can learn to weave belts on "dostechki" and "berdyshki," make dolls in national costumes by hand, and participate in ritual celebrations.

Currently, the Museum of Smolensk Flax is located in the Nikolskaya Tower of the Smolensk fortress wall. Initially, at the time of its opening, it was located in the center of Smolensk on B. Sovetskaya Street in the building of the Trinity Monastery Cathedral. In 2011, the museum moved to the building of the "Russian Antiquity" museum on Tenisheva Street, 7, and in December 2012, it settled in its current location.

The Nikolskaya Tower got its name from the nearby Upper Nikolskaya Church, which was destroyed during the 1812 war. The tower was heavily damaged in August 1812 during Napoleon's assault on the city, through which he entered Smolensk. In the 19th century and until 1919, an icon of Saint Nicholas was located in the niche above the gates of the tower. Previously, the tower was called Yelenskaya, and the gates were known as Yelenyevsky and Yelninsky, named after the road leading to Yelnya. The height of the tower from the base to the battlements is 15 m 74 cm, the height of the battlements is 2 m 24 cm, the length of the tower is 14 m 77 cm, and the thickness of the walls is 1 m 82 cm. The tower had an earthen cover, and there was a metal drop-down grille in the gates, called "gersa."