Moscow.

Moscow is the capital of Russia, its political, economic, commercial and cultural centre. It was founded in 1147 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. In the 13-th century Moscow became the centre of the struggle by Russian lands for the liberation from the Tatar Yoke. In the 16-th 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 were destroyed by the fire during Napoleon’s invasion, but by the middle of the 19-th 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. The population of the city is over 9 million.

The heart of Moscow is Red Square, the central and the most beautiful square in the city. Here one can see the Cathedral of St.Basil the Blessed, or St.Basil’s cathedral, built by by architects Postnik and Barma to commemorate Russia’s conquest of the Kingdom of Kazan in 1552. It is a masterpiece of Russian architecture. Tourists can see the monument to Minin and Pozharsky. It 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 first of all everybody knows Red Square because the Kremlin 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 tourists from all over the world. The Czar-cannon and the Czar-bell, the biggest cannon and bell, are also in the Kremlin.

Moscow is also famous 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 has the oldest Russian university, founded in1755 by Lomonosov.

The Metro, opened in 1935, is being constantly extended. Now it has 200 stations and is almost 340 kilometers long. It is one of the tourist attractions of the Russian capital. Moscow is the seat of the Russian Parliament (the Duma) and the centre of the political life of the country.

(Разговорные темы к экзаменам по английскому языку. Рабочая тетрадь. «КОРОНА принт»)