2. Moscow: History and places of interest Great Moscow

Moscow, the capital of the Russian Federation, is the largest city of the country and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is spread over a vast area of a thousand square km.

The history of Moscow is connected with the history of Russia.

In the 12^th century Moscow was known as a small estate of the Suzdal Prince Yury Dolgoruky, the son on the Kievan Prince Vladimir Monomakh. Though people lived on that place long before Yury Dolgoruky.

The date of Moscow’s founding is generally accepted to be April 4, 1147, when it was first mentioned in the Russian chronicles. That day Yury Dolgoruky received his brother Prince Svyatoslav of Novgorod Seversky.

In 1156 Moscow was surrounded with a high wall of oak logs and became a town. The little town grew rapidly due to its favourable location. It was situated

in the point of intersection of the important trade routes.

In the 13^th century ancient Rus fell under the yoke of the Tatar-mongol invaders for two hundred years. Moscow was almost destroyed in 1238, but it was rebuilt soon. Moscow’s heyday begins with the time of Ivan Kalita, from the first half of the 14^th century. In 1326 Metropolitan Peter transferred the metropolitan seat to Moscow from the capital city of Vladimir. Moscow became the capital of the Russian principalities in 1327. It led Rus to the battle of Kulikovo, where the Russian army headed by Dmitry Donskoy defeated the Tatar-mongols. But it was only in 1480, in the reign of Grand Prince Ivan III, that the foreign yoke was finally thrown off. By that time Rus had grown into a big powerful states.

In the 15^th century Moscow became the capital of the Russian state and the largest economic and cultural centre of the country. It attracted master builders and artists from all over Rus. Many famous architects from Italy were invited.

In the early 17^th century the capital was occupied by Polish and Lithuanian invaders. In 1612 the people’s volunteer army headed by merchant Kuzma Minin and the Voevoda Prince Dmitry Pozharsky drove the invaders out.

Under Peter the Great the capital was transferred into St.Petersburg. Nevertheless, Moscow remained the heart of Russia.

In 1812 the invasion of the French army began. After the famous battle of Borodino, the Russians decided to leave Moscow, because they didn’t have enough strength to resist Napoleon army. And it was Moscow who stopped the invasion. Once again the city was plundered and destroyed by fires and once again it rose from ashes.

In 1918 the Bolshevik government moved the capital from Petrograd to Moscow.

The rapid growth of the capital and the expansion of its boundaries have been accompanied by reconstruction of the central part of Moscow. And now the Russians are witnesses to Moscow’s renaissance. It has been becoming an impressive, modern capital city in the European sense, while at the same time Moscow preserves its national and unique character and its unforgettable historical appearance.

Ex.1 Find English equivalents in the text:

небольшое поместье, задолго до, основание Москвы, Древняя Русь, Великий князь, к тому времени, могущественное государство, по всей Руси, народное ополчение, стремительный рост, именно Москва, в тоже время.

Ex.2 Give Russian equivalents:

vast area, it was first mentioned, received his brother, due to its favourable

location, important trade routes, fell under the yoke, the metropolitan seat, the Russian army headed by, the foreign yoke was finally thrown off, under Peter the Great, moved the capital, the expansion of its boundaries, the European sense, historical appearance.

Ex.3 Insert the prepositions:

1. Moscow is spread … a vast area of a thousand square km.

2. In 1156 Moscow was surrounded … a high wall of oak logs.

3. The little town grew rapidly … its favourable location.

4. In the 13^th century ancient Rus fell … the yoke of the Tatar-mongol invaders.

5. Moscow’s heyday begins … the time of Ivan Kalita.

6. … the reign of Grand Prince Ivan III the yoke was finally thrown … .

7. In 1612 the people’s volunteer army headed … K.Minin and Dm.Pozharsky drove the invaders … .

8. Now the Russians are the witnesses … Moscow’s renaissance.

Ex.4 Explain the dates:

1147, 1156, 1327, 1480, 1612, 1812, 1918.

Ex.5 Make up sentences, using these names:

Yury Dolgoruky, Svyatoslav Seversky, Ivan Kalita, Dmitry Donskoy, Ivan III, Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky, Peter I, Napoleon.

Ex.6 Translate from Russian into English:

1. Москва – город, известный всему миру.

2. История Москвы тесно связана с историей Российского государства.

3. Князь Юрий Долгорукий известен как основатель Москвы.

4. Мы не знаем точной даты рождения Москвы, но впервые ее имя упомянули в летописях в 1147 году, когда в крепости был великий пир в честь приезда новгородского князя.

5. Москва получила свое название от реки Москва, на берегу которой люди жили задолго до прихода суздальского князя Юрия.

6. Благодаря своему выгодному географическому положению крепость Москва быстро развивалась, в 1156 году стала городом, а в 1327 году новой столицей древнерусских княжеств.

7. Во время княжения Ивана III Русь наконец освободилась от ига татаро-монголов.

8. Во времена Смуты (Troubled Time) Москва подверглась нападению поляков и литовцев.

9. Хотя Бородинское сражение сыграло большую роль в Отечественной войне 1812 года, но именно Москва остановила нашествие Наполеона.

10. Москву перестраивали много раз, и сейчас россияне являются свидетелями ее возрождения и становления как современной европейской столицы.

Ex.7 Answer the questions:

1. Why is Moscow considered to be the political, industrial, cultural, educational and sport centre of the Russian Federation?

2. What is the official date of Moscow’s founding? Why?

3. Why did Moscow grow rapidly?

4. How many times was Moscow destroyed and plundered by the foreign invaders?

5. What armies failed to enter Moscow? When?

6. Why do you think Moscow was awarded the title of the hero city?

7. What battle was decisive in the struggle of the Russian people against the Tatar-mongols?

8. Who led the battle of Borodino?

9. Why do you think Peter the Great moved capital into St.Petersburg?

10. Do you agree with the statement that Moscow has been becoming an impressive, modern capital city in the European sense? Prove your opinion.