Vocabulary

a fortress – крепость

applicable – применимый

by order – по приказу

unique appearance – уникальный вид

ceased to be – перестал быть

military significance – военное значение

secret passage – тайный ход

chimes – куранты

to chime – бить (отбивать)

to install – устанавливать

architectural masterpieces – шедевры архитектуры

magnificent receptions – пышные приемы

in honour of – в честь

an ambassador – посол

a cathedral – собор

to be crowned – короноваться

a tomb – надгробие, могильная плита

to be known for – быть известным чем-то

artist – художник

art – искусство

ancient – древний

oil paintings – масляная живопись

Sense of History – ощущение (дух) истории

3. Text for additional reading The State History Museum

Moscow, the capital of our country, is rich in places of interest. They are of great historical and architectural importance as they reflect up-to-date achievments of the nation. One can’t help admiring the beauty of Moscow metro. It is rightly called the Underground Palace, because its architecture resembles the real Palace.

One of the most important Moscow’s places of interest is considered to be the State History Museum. It includes the State History Museum itself situated in Red Square and its branches: Novodevichi Convent, Pokrovsky Cathedral better known as St.Basil’s Cathedral, the Trinity Church in Nikitniki, Boyar chambers at Zaryadye, the Krutitsky Yard.

1. In 1872, a Politechnical Exhibition, with a special section displaying relics accosiated with the heroic defence of Sevastopol during the 1853-1856 Crimean War, was opened in Moscow. The exhibits were of great interest among the citizens and the Exhibition had a success. The organizers and sponsors of the Sevastopol section pointed out the necessity of opening a History Museum. They suggested gathering together of numerous and historically valuable exhibits. The collected treasures couldn’t be treated simply as temporary exhibition – they should be preserved and served as the basis of permanent establishment. This establishment, erected to honour the history of the Russian people, should gather from all over Russia the people’s relics, the monuments and documents of the entire Russian State, it should commemorate in images and pictures the names of great men and memorable events, revealing to the nation the glorious moments of its history. The proposal to found a Museum was supported by prominent scholars. A building, specially designed for the Museum by Academician V.O.Sherwood and by an engineer A.A.Semenov, was erected in Red Square in 1883. The well-known artists I.K.Aivazovsky, V.M.Vasnetsov and G.I.Semiradsky took part in decorating the museum’s interior.

The exhibition of the History Museum traces the history of the peoples of Russia from antiquity to the present day.

2. In the beginning of XVI century the Russian State turned back the town of Smolensk which had been captured by Litva. To honour this great event in 1524 a convent was erected which was called Novodevichi Convent to differ from the earlier erected Moscow Convent in “Ostozhye”. Novodevichi Convent had a great military significance. This fortress defended the approach to the Russian capital. There in 1612 the home guard headed by Minin and Prince Pozharsky defeated the Polish invaders. This victory was decisive in the liberation movement against the Polish intervation.

The museum of Novodevichi Convent has gathered valuable exhibits: old Russian books, works of art, works from gold and silver, needleworks.

3. Pokrovsky Cathedral commemorates a grandeur of Russian architecture. It was built in 1555-1561 to honour a great victory – capture of Kazan, the Tatar capital. The raids of Tatars made a great harm to Russian economy. Tatars robbed and captured Russian people. It was Ivan the Terrible who put an end the Tatar raids. Ivan IV made two attempts to capture Kazan but failed. The third attempt was successful. Russian troops surrounded Kazan and the siege began. There was a cruel battle ended by the victory of Russian troops. Now Pokrovsky Cathedral is the museum of history and architecture.

4. In 1634 a moscow merchant Grigori Nikitnikov allocated funds to building a church which was called the Trinity Church. Now it is the museum of architecture and painting of XVII century.

5. Another branch of the State History Museum is Boyar Chambers at Zaryadye. It is situated in Razin Street. The first owner of these chambers was a moscow nobleman Nikita Romanov, grandfather of the Russian Tsar Michael Fedorovich. He was one of the prominent feudal lords of that time. After his death the estate was inherited by his son and later by his grandson Michael who became a Russian Tsar in 1613. According to tradition Michael Romanov removed to Kremlin, the residence of the Russian Tsars. Michael Romanov founded a monastery in his family estate. During XVI-XIX centuries the Chambers had been rebuilt time after time until in 1850-s according to directive of Alexander II the chambers were restored in order to create a museum glorifying Romanov’s family. And in 1859 a museum was opened. Since that time it is a museum having an exhibition of boyar life.

6. The museum of history and architecture “The Krutitsky Yard” has a long history. Originally it was a monastery. It was founded by Prince Daniil Alexandrovich in 1272. In XV century under Ivan III it became a residence of bishop Vassian after falling the Gold horde and later the residence of metropolitan Gelassi, the head of Russian Church. The Krutitsky Yard was involved in the middle of events during the Polish intervation.

There Prince Pozharsky recruited his home guard. During the Patriotic War of 1812 the Krutitsky Yard was made a great harm. The most part of it was burnt. But since XVIII century the Krutitsky Yard was gradually declining and after closing of eparchy it was used as barracks for Moscow police. And only in XX century the Soviet people began restoring of this masterpiece of Russian architecture. The restoration is still continuing now. The majority of monuments have been restored according to old Russian projects and now they have the originally beauty.