​Moscow is the capital of Russia, its political, economic, commercial and cultural centre. It was founded over 8 centuries ago by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Historians have accepted the year of 1147 as the start of Moscow history. Gradually the city became more and more powerful. In the 13th century Moscow was the centre of the struggle by Russian lands for the liberation from the Tartar Yoke. In the 16th century under Ivan the Terrible Moscow became the capital of the new united state. 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 was destroyed by fire during Napoleon's occupation, but by the mid 19th century Moscow had been completely restored. After the October revolution Moscow became the capital again. ​Now Moscow is 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 about 12 million.
​The heart of Moscow is Red Square, the central and the most beautiful square in Moscow. Here one can see the Cathedral of St.Basil the Blessed, or St.Basil's cathedral, erected by architects Postnik and Barma to commemorate Russia's conquest of the Khanate of Kazan in 1552. It is a masterpiece of Russian architecture. Tourists can also see the monument to Minin and Pozharsky. In was designed by Ivan Martos in 1818 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 the Russian people since ancient times.
​But before all Red Square is famous the Kremlin which is situated there. The Kremlin is the oldest historical and architectural centre of Moscow. Its three magnificent cathedrals, the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great, the palaces and Spassky Tower with the clock attract the tourists' attention. The Czar-cannon and the Czar-bell, the biggest cannon and bell in the world, are also in the Kremlin.
​There are other beautiful palaces, old mansions, cathedrals, churches and monuments in Moscow. Moscow is also remarkable for its museums. At the Tretyakov Gallery paintings by great Russian artists are collected, and at the Museum of Fine Arts there are masterpieces by European painters.
​There are a lot of theatres in Moscow. The best-known of them is the Bolshoi Opera House, but drama theatres and studios are popular too.
​Moscow was the host to the XXII Summer Olympic Games in 1980. It has a number of sportsgrounds and stadiums built or reconstructed for that event.
Moscow has the oldest Russian university, founded in 1755 by Lomonosov. Its new building was opened in 1953. It is 32 storeys high.
​The Metro, opened in 1935, is being constantly extended. Now it has 177 stations and is almost 292 kilometres long. It is among of the tourist attractions of the Russian capital.
The number of new streets increases every month. The longest of them is Leningradsky Prospect which runs for 15 kilometres.
​Moscow is the seat of the Russian Parliament (the Duma) and the centre of the political life of the country.

Задание
ответьте на вопросы к тексту (ответы строго на английском языке):

1 When was Moscow's history started? What holiday did Moscow celebrate in 1997?
2 What part did Moscow play in Russian history?
3 When and why was the biggest part of Moscow destroyed by fire?
4 How many people live in Moscow?
5 What can tourists see in Red Square?
6 What historical events do the monuments in Red Square commemorate?
7 What objects of interest can one see in Kremlin?
8 What is the difference between the Tretyakov Gallery and the Museum of Fine Arts?
9 What theatres do you know in Moscow? Have you ever been to one of them?
10. What major international events took place in Moscow?

STOORIK    2   28.10.2020 17:35    70