Speaking

4. Answer the questions.

1. Where is Volgograd situated?

2. When was Tsaritsyn founded?

3. When was it renamed Stalingrad? Volgograd?

4. What is the city famous for?

5. What sights of Volgograd are linked with the Great Patriotic War?

6. What other places of interest do you know in the city?

7. What is your favourite attraction of Volgograd? Why?

5. Retell the text.

Unit II. Volgograd Places of Interest Reading

1. Find out some information of Volgograd sights.

The mamayev hill

The Mamayev Hill is the highest hill in Volgograd, Russia (102 m), which was the main height of Russia during the Battle of Stalingrad. It was built as a memorial in honour to Soviet soldiers and officers who defended Stalingrad during the Great Patriotic War. The group of sculptors and designers was headed by the People’s Artist of the USSR, sculptor Evgeniy Vutechich. The ensemble includes a sculpture “Memory of Generations”, a composition “Fight to the Bitter End!”, “Wall-Ruins”, “the Square of Grief”, and the Hall of Military Glory. On the top of The Mamayev Hill there is the Motherland Statue which is the symbol of Volgograd. This statue is well-known all over the world. It is made of concrete. It is one of the highest sculptures in the world. The statue’s total height is 85 meters. Its weight is 8.000 tons; the only 33-meter sword weighs 14 tons. It was designed by Evgeniy Vutechich and Nicolay Nikitin. It had been built from 1959 till 1967.

The Central Embankment

At the top of the Central Embankment there is the Fountain of Friendship with the composition “Arts” in the centre of it. The fountain was erected in 1957 on the upper terrace of the Central Embankment of Volgograd. The composition is presented by the sculpture of three dancing girls in national dresses.

Then there is a long and wide staircase with two white rotundas on both sides of it.

The Embankment is decorated with an old church of John the Forerunner (Ivan Predtetcha). It was built in stone in 1704 (before that there was a wooden church, 1664). It was the first stony building of Tsaritsyn. In 1932 the church was totally destroyed by blowing up. Now it has been restored.

Volgograders and visitors of the city admire the beautiful embankment and a wonderful view of the river Volga.

The Square of the Fallen Fighters

The Square of the Fallen Fighters is the central square of Volgograd which is surrounded by numerous sights: The Central Post-office, hotels “Intourist” and “Volgograd”, and the Drama Theatre (the New Experimental Theatre). The monument in memory of the fallen defenders of the city was erected here with the eternal flame by it.

The Monument to Alexander Nevsky

In front of the Drama Theatre you can see the monument to Alexander Nevsky who is considered to be a saint protector of Volgograd. The monument to Alexander Nevsky was erected on the 24^th of February, 2007 in front of the theatre. Nevsky is considered to be a saint protector of Volgograd.