Some Facts About the History of Moscow

Moscow is one of the oldest Russian cities. It was founded in 1147 by Russian Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. The monument to the founder of the city you can see in Tverskaya Street.

The heart of Moscow is the Kremlin. It was built as an island fortress as it was surrounded by water: by the Moskva River and the Neglinnaya River, which is now under the ground.

The first walls were made of wood, but later they were replaced by thick oak logs. A new white-stone Kremlin was built in the 14th century in the reign of Dmitry Donskoy. In hundred years tsar Ivan III built new walls and towers of red brick, as we see them now. At the beginning Moscow's territory was limited to the Kremlin.

Later the Kremlin became the residence of Moscow princes and tsars. Beyond the Kremlin a so-called «posad» (settlement) spread out in all directions.

Kitaigorod appeared in the middle of the 16th century and hid behind its walls and towers the entire big posad of Moscow to protect it. It was surrounded with a wide and deep moat. Later on, Beliy gorod (White town) was raised.

But Moscow still grew bigger and bigger. And at the end of the 16th century a new town — Zemlyanoy gorod (Ground town) — appeared. It was surrounded by high ground rampart (zemlyanoy val) with wooden walls on the top and deep moat, which gave the name to the town. In the old days it was possible to enter Moscow through special gates. Some street names can remind us of the gates.

In the 18th century zemlyanoy val was replaced by the streets and boulevards. It is now called the Boulevard Ring.

The third ring — Sadovoye Koltso (Garden Ring) runs for nearly 16 km round the center of the city.

Exercises

I. Find the English equivalents to the following words and expressions from the text.

Основать, появиться, деревянные стены, быть замененным, вал, Дубовые бревна, глубокий ров, за стенами, князь, в конце века, поселение, так называемый посад, территория была ограничена, резиденция Московских царей, построен из красного кирпича, во время правления, ходить в город, Бульварное кольцо, Садовое кольцо.

II. Answer the questions.

1. When was Moscow founded?

2. Who was the founder of Mos­cow?

3. Where is the monument to the Moscow founder?

4. What were the limits of the first Moscow town?

5. Why were Kitaigorod, Beliy gorod and Zemlyanoy gorod built?

6. When were they built?

7. How is Zemlyanoy val called now?

8. When were the first wooden walls replaced by the stone ones?

9. Why has Moscow got the shape of a circle?

10. How many circles are there in and round the city?

11. What are they?

12. Who lived inside the Kremlin?

III. Make a plan to the text. Retell the text using words and word combinations from it.

Задание 11

Студент должен:

• Прочитать диалог «О Москве» («About Moscow») и инсценировать его.

About Moscow

—What date is accepted as the start of Moscow history?

—Moscow was the first mentioned in the records dated back to the year 1117. So it was founded more than eight centuries ago by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Historians have accepted the year 1147 as the start of Moscow's history. At that time it was a small frontier post at the edge of Suzdal lands.

• Who led the Russian troops to a decisive victory over Tartar invaders in the battle of Kulikovo field?

• Moscow Prince Dmitry Donskoy did in 1380.

—When did Moscow become a wealthy city and a capital of the State of Moscovy?

—By the 15th century Moscow turned into a wealthy city. In the 16th century, under Ivan III, Moscow became the capital of the State of Moscovy.

— When were the largest Kremlin Cathedrals erected.

— At that time the Kremlin was rebuilt and the largest Kremlin Cathedrals were erected. Under Dmitry Donskoy the Kremlin was built of white stone. During the reign of Ivan III the walls of white stone were replaced by new redbrick walls and towers. The Prince invited Italian architects to construct the cathedrals. The Assumption Cathedral was built in 1475—70. The Russian Tzars and Emperors were crowned there. The Archangel Cathedral was the burial place of the Russian Princes and Tzars. The Annunciation Cathedral was erected in 1484. It is famous for the icons painted by Andrei Rublev and his apprentices.

— What can you see on the territory of the Kremlin?

— On the territory of the Kremlin you can see old cathedrals, the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great, the Palace of Congresses, the Tzar-Cannon and the Tzar-Bell, the biggest cannon and bell in the world.

— What the Kremlin is?

— The Kremlin is the heart of Moscow. It is the oldest historical and architectural centre of Moscow.

— What is your favourite place in Moscow?

— Red Square is.

— What can you see in Red Square?

— There is a monument to Minin and Pozharsky in Red Square. During the Troubled Times Moscow was occupied by the Polish invaders, but they were routed by the popular levy headed by Minin and Pozharsky. St Basil's Cathedral was built in the mid-16th century, in memory of the victory over Kazan.

— What happened to Moscow in the beginning of the 18th and 19th centuries?

— Though Peter the Great moved the capital to St Petersburg in 1712, Moscow remained the heart of Russia. That is why it became the main target of Napoleon's attack. Three quarters of the city were destroyed by fire during Napoleon's occupation, but by the mid-19th century Moscow had been completely restored.

— When did Moscow become the capital again?

— After the Great October Revolution Moscow became the capital again.

— What is it Moscow now?

— Now Moscow is the capital of Russia, its political, economic, commercial and cultural centre, one of the largest cities in Europe, its total area is about nine hundred square kilometres (ancient Moscow occupied the territory of the present-day Kremlin). The population of the city is over 9 million. Moscow is the seat of the Russian parliament (the Du­ma) and the centre of political life of the country.

— Is Moscow a beautiful city?

— Moscow is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The heart of Moscow is Red Square. It has more historic associations than any other place in Moscow. The Kremlin and St Basil's Cathedral (Vasiliy Blazhenny) are masterpieces of ancient Russian architecture. The main Kremlin tower, the Spasskaya Tower, has become the symbol of the country.

There are a lot of beautiful palaces, old mansions, cathedrals, churches and monuments in Moscow. Now Moscow is being reconstructed and we all hope that in a few years the city will become even more beautiful.

— Are there museums in Moscow?

— There are more than 80 museums in Moscow. The largest museums are the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts and the State Tretyakov Gallery. Other unique museums in Moscow include the All-Russia Museum of Folk Arts, the Andrei Rublev Museum of Early Russian Art, Alexei Bakhrushin Theatre Museum, Michail Glinka Museum of Musical Culture and many others.

— What is Moscow famous for?

— Moscow is famous for its theatres. The best known of them is the Bolshoi Opera House, Drama theatres and studios are also very popular.

— Can you say Moscow is the centre of Russia education?

• Yes, I can. Moscow is a city of students. There are over 80 higher educational institutions in it, including several universities.

Задание 12

Студент должен:

• Прочитать текст «Санкт-Петербург» («St Petersburg»)

• выполнить задания, ответить на вопросы и перевести вопросительные с русского на английский.

Words to know

St Petersburg— Санкт-Петербург seaport— морской порт

be founded— быть основанным population— население

be situated— быть расположенным occupy— занимать

important— важный, значительный palace— дворец

architectural— архитектурный building— здание

monument— памятник, надгробие Catherine II— Екатерина II

outstanding— выдающийся artist— художник

be located— размещаться design— проектировать

main— главный be buried— быть похороненным

magnificent— великолепный ensemble — ансамбль

painter— художник composer— композитор

actor— актер suburb— пригород, окрестности

bridge — мост fountain— источник, фонтан

guest— гость masterpiece— шедевр

be laid—быть «заложенным», основанным