Moscow.

Exercise 1. Read and translate the text using the active vocabulary and notes.

NOTES: a fort – укрепленный пункт

redbrick walls – стены из красного кирпича

to crown – короновать

burial places – места захоронений

Monomach - Мономах

Emperor - император

conquest – завоевание

invaders – захватчики

institution – институт, учреждение

memorial plates – мемориальные таблички

The heart of Moscow is the Kremlin. Together with Red Square it constructs the oldest historical and architectural centre of Moscow.

First the Kremlin was a wooden fort. Under Dmitry Donskoy the Kremlin was built in white stone. During the reign of Ivan III the walls of white stone were replaced by new redbrick walls and towers. The Tsar invited Italian architects to construct the cathedrals. The Assumption Cathedral was built in 1475-1479. The Russian Tsars and Emperors were crowned here. The Archangel Cathedral was the burial place of the Russian Princes and Tsars. The Annunciation Cathedral was erected in 1484. It is famous for the icons painted by Andrey Rublyov and his apprentices.

One of the most remarkable structures of the 16^th century – Ivan the Great Bell Tower rises in the centre of the Kremlin. It unites all the Kremlin Cathedrals into a majestic ensemble which faces Cathedral Square.

On the stone pedestal at the foot of the Bell Tower there is a Tsar-Bell – the largest in the world. Not far from it one can see a Tsar-Cannon. They have never been used but are considered to be the examples of art of the 15^th century.

Another fine example of Russian architecture is the Faceted Palace. It was built in 1487-1491.

One of the well-known Kremlin museums is the Armoury Chamber. It was built in 1851. The famous golden cap of Monomach is kept here. Another famous museum is Diamond Treasury. The first Russian imperial crown of Katherine II, made of silver and many other precious historical items are exhibited there.

There are 20 towers in the Kremlin. On the five tops one can see shining ruby stars. The clock that strikes every quarter of an hour is on the Spassky Tower. The Kremlin with golden domes and towers attracts everybody’s attention and makes a strong impression on tourists and guests of the capital.

The square near the Kremlin is Red Square, the central and the most beautiful one in Moscow. Here one can see the Cathedral of St.Bazil the Blessed or the Cover Cathedral erected by architects Postnik and Barma to commemorate Russia’s conquest of the Kazan Kingdom in 1552. Then there is a monument to Minin and Pozharsky in front of the Cathedral. It was designed by Ivan Martos in memory of the Russian victory over the Polish invaders in 1612.

The History Museum in Red Square is a magnificent building, besides, it is one of the major scientific and educational institutions where we can follow the life of Russian people since ancient times.

There is Lenin Mausoleum near the Kremlin wall in Red Square which is considered to be some kind of the museum. Near the Kremlin wall and in the wall we can see memorials and memorial plates to Russian famous people of the 20^th century who are buried here.

Exercise 3. Answer the following questions:

1) What is the historical centre of Moscow?

2) What cathedrals can we find inside the Kremlin? What are they famous for?

3) What role does Ivan the Great Bell Tower play in the architectural ensemble?

4) What examples of art of the 15^th century can we see here?

5) What can we see in the Armoury Chamber and in the Diamond Treasury?

6) How many towers of the Kremlin are topped with ruby starts?

7) Why is the Spassky Tower world-known?

8) What do you know about the history of the Cathedral of St.Bazil the Blessed? What is its second name?

9) Why was the monument to Minin and Pozharsky erected in Red Square?

10) What museums can we find in Red Square and in the Kremlin?

11) Have you got any new information about the Kremlin and Red Square? Have you ever been there?

Text 2

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