In May, 1703 tsar Peter I founded a fortress on a small island called Zayachy. The fortress was named after saint Peter and it gave its name to the future northern capital of Russia.

Many famous European and Russian masters did their best while constructing the city. Palaces, cathedrals, buildings of rare beauty rose along straight avenues and streets, squares and parks.

The first monumental ensemble of the city, Peter and Paul fortress, attracts lots of tourists. The Cathedral of Peter and Paul fortress built by architect Tresini in 1712-1733 became the necropolis of Russian tsars.

St. Petersburg displays a remarkable richness of architecture. Its Winter palace, the Kazan and St. Isaac’s Cathedrals, Vorontsov and Stroganov Palaces are world famous.

Museums are city’s pride. One of the most famous museums, the State Hermitage, is situated here. Its collection boasts of tsars treasures, works of the world-known artists, and paintings from private galleries of Yusoupovs, Stroganovs, Sheremetevs, Shuvalovs and others. Some 2,5 million masterpieces of various epochs, countries and nations are located in more than one thousand halls.

St. Petersburg has played a vital role in Russian history. It was the scene of the February and October Revolutions in 1917 and was fiercely defended during World War II. It was renamed three times – Petrograd, Leningrad and, again, St. Petersburg. Now, the city plays an important role in Russian economy, culture and international cooperation.

Great Federico Fellini, who once visited St. Petersburg said, «I’m happy that I was born in Italy and worked in Rome, but, probably, I would be twice as happy if fate would let me have a nook in Russia, in St. Petersburg. I fell in love with this city. Somehow, I understand it».

 

Questions

1. How is St. Petersburg called by poets and writers?

2. Why was St. Petersburg a «window on Europe»?

3. How many times was the city renamed? What are the names?

4. What sights are there in the city?

5. Have you ever been to St. Petersburg? Do you agree with the opinion of Federico Fellini?

TEXT 11. Read and translate the text. Be ready to speak on the topic.

The Russian Federation

The Russian Federation is the largest country in the world covering more than a ninth of the Earth's land area. It is situated in the eastern part of Europe and the northernpart of Asia. The total area of the country is over 17 million square kilometers. The population of Russia is more than 140 million people.

It is washed by the Arctic Ocean in the North, the Atlantic Ocean in the West and the Pacific Ocean in the East. It is known to be washed by 12 seas: the White Sea, the Laptevs' Sea, the Barents Sea, the Baltic Sea, etc.

On the vast territory of Russia one can find forests, steppes, lowlands and high-lands, mountains and valleys. The main mountain chains are the Altai, the Caucasus, the Urals (the natural border between the European and the Asian parts of Russia).

There are over two million rivers in Russia, the Volga which flows into the Caspian Sea being the longest river in Europe. Most of the rivers are suitable for navigation, many of them produce electric power. Russia is rich in beautiful lakes as well. The famous Russian lake Baikal is considered to be the deepest and the most beautiful lake in the world. It is 1,620 metres deep, more than any other lake in the world. Thousands of tourists coming to Russia try to visit the lake, to see its picturesque scenery.

There are different types of climate in Russia. It varies from arctic in the North to subtropical in the South. In the middle of the country the climate is temperate and continental.

Russia has a market economy with enormous natural resources, particularly oil and natural gas. Oil, natural gas and timber account for more than 80% of Russian exports abroad. It also has deposits of coal, iron ores, gold, nickel, silver, etc. Three quarters of the country's minerals and fuels are concentrated in Siberia and the Far East. Recently, Russia has been described in the media as an energy superpower. The country has more higher education graduates than any other country in Europe.

The capital of Russia is Moscow. Moscow is the political, economic, commercial and cultural centre of Russia. It occupies the territory of about 1000 square kilometers. It is also the centre of political life in Russia.

According to the Constitution, Russia is a Federal Republic. The Head of the state is the President. The Federal Government consists of three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. The legislative power is represented by the Federal Assembly which consists of 2 chambers - the Council of Federation and the State Duma. The executive power belongs to the Government with the Prime minister at the head. The judicial branch is represented by the Constitutional Court. The state symbol of Russia is a three-coloured flag (tricolour).

Russia, as any other country in the world has its national and religious holidays. The main Russian national holidays are Victory Day, New Year's Day, Day of Fatherland's Defender, Women's Day, May Day, Day of Russia and Unity Day. The main religious holidays are Christmas, Easter and some others.

TEXT 12. Learn the info. Make an advertisement of Smolensk for tourist attraction.

About Smolensk

So what is Smolensk? It’s an ancient Russian city, founded in 863 AD, lying over the Dnieper River not far from Moscow and St. Petersburg. The city stands on seven hills, spanning a large area. Smolensk is a key-town, a strategic fortress city, a valiant defender of Russia on the western frontier. Smolensk is a hero city honored for its determined defence against the Nazis. Smolensk is the birthplace of such outstanding people as Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, Mikhail Glinka, the great Russian composer of music, and the prolific writer Isaac Asimov.

Smolensk is proud of its great and eventful history which is reflected in museums, monuments, churches, theatres, galleries (in the Smolensk Art Gallery you can see works of Aivazovsky and original works of other famous artists). There are many different views of the city to be enjoyed from the Fortress Wall that was build in 1602, crowned with 38 towers. The present wall rings the center of Smolensk and includes many interesting places that reflect the history of the city. The original wall was 6.4 km long. Now its length is 3 km and it has 17 towers.

Smolensk, while ancient, is at the same time a very young and up-to-date city. Much of Smolensk was rebuilt after the destruction of wars and many modern new buildings are constructed each year. Smolensk, with several universities, offers a wide variety of opportunities for Russian and international students. A vibrant youth culture includes nightclubs, cinema, cafes and parks where young people meet. Smolensk is a city of youth. Young people choose from a variety of entertainments ranging from adventure of extreme sports to the casual enjoyment of strolls through green parks with winding paths, fountains and stately trees.

If you are fond of eating out, Smolensk offers a great number of cafes and restaurants representing the different cuisines of the world, including the delicious and unique western Russian dishes like bliny, pelmeni and our distinguished local vodka. Visitors also find a wealth of shopping in Smolensk. Visitors buy typical Russian souvenirs and many products of very high quality representing Smolensk industry (flax, diamonds and ceramics) and different goods of well-known brands. The markets are full of great bargains.

Smolensk has great natural beauty in every season. The unique nature of this region, with its deep lakes and green forests, present a variety of outdoor activities. Sportsmen find fishing and hunting in the area great. Every season has its own charm and unforgettable atmosphere. The Smolensk region is famous for its nature. In its green forests and nature reserves one can find a wide choice of plants and wild animals. The lakes and rivers are full of fish, and fishing is possible in spring, summer, autumn and even in winter.

TEXT 13. Read and translate the text. Play a situation when you are a guide about museums of Smolensk.

Museums of Smolensk

The Museum «Smolensk Flax»

Flax industry is one of the most wide-spread industries in Smolensk Region. Only here in Smolensk Region you can find such a wide selection of flax goods. In Smolensk Museum of Flax one can see equipment that was used for growing flax and for making goods out of it many centuries ago. You can also find here original flax clothes that were popular with our ancestors. The Museum «Smolensk Flax» is a perfect place for getting acquainted with authentic Russian culture.

The Museum of Russian Vodka

Smolensk Museum of Russian Vodka is located in Pjatnizkaya tower – one of the 17 towers of the Smolensk Fortress Wall. The exposition contains the key points of wine production development in Russia. Besides, all the visitors can taste production of Smolensk company «Bahus» in the restaurant “Smolensk Fortress”.

The Museum of Fairy Tale

If you want to get acquainted with popular heroes of Russian fairy tales; if your wish is to learn more about ancient Russian customs and traditions – you should visit Smolensk Museum of Fairy Tale. There you’ll find yourself in the magic world of Russian fairy tales; you’ll feel the fantastic atmosphere of past centuries. In Smolensk Museum of Fairy Tale one can see the original pieces of furniture, toys, clothes and kitchen utensils of old Russia. Visit the Museum of Fairy Tale and get in touch with unique Russian culture.