1. This square is of enormous size.
2. We’re going to celebrate this historical date soon.
3. This monument was erected at the expense of people’s money.
4. Nobody will be able to make an exact copy of this architectural masterpiece.
5. The official order of the Tsar was given in public.
6. The President announced (officially) the independence of the new republic.
7. The church consists of several separate chapels.
Red Square is the central Moscow square. It took its shape in the 14th century and in different times it was called differently. The name ‘Red’ was given to it in the 17th century when the Russian word krasnaya meant both red and beautiful. The first thing you notice is its tremendous size. There is room for about 2 million people here. On the south side of the Square you can see a masterpiece of Russian architecture – St. Basil's Cathedral. It was built on the order of Ivan the Terrible to commemorate the taking of Kazan. Russian architect Barma Postnik designed this fantastic structure, the like of which had never been seen in Russia before. Some chronicles say he was blinded so that he could never duplicate his work. The church is composed of 9 separate chapels, each different from the others, each chapel has its own name. When Basil the Blessed died he was buried in the yard of the church and a separate chapel was built over his grave. Everybody in Moscow knew him. He was a foreteller and even the members of the Tsar's family made use of his gift. The Cathedral looks especially beautiful in the dark, when it is brightly illuminated.
In front of the Cathedral you can see the monument to Minin and Pozharsky, designed by Ivan Martos. It is the oldest Moscow monument opened in 1818 at the expense of people’s donation. Minin and Pozharsky were two leaders of the Russian Liberation movement against the Polish invaders in 1612.
Here it’s necessary to remember the first two decades of the 17th century which are known in the Russian history as the Time of Troubles. This time was characterized by civil wars and invasions. In 1610 Moscow was occupied by the Poles. But in 1612
citizen Minin and prince Pozharsky formed and headed people’s volunteer detachments and drove the Poles out of Moscow and then Russia.
If you stand with your back to St. Basil's you can see a round platform built of white stone. This is the Lobnoye Mesto. It was built in the 16th century. In old times the Tsar and the Patriarch addressed the people from this platform, the Tsar's edicts were proclaimed in front of the crowds of people.
Ex.6 Answer the questions to the text.
1. Why is the central Moscow square called “Red”? What does the name mean?
2. How large is Red Square?
3. What is the most famous sight located in Red Square?
4. In memory of what historical event was St. Basil’s Cathedral erected?
5. Why does the Cathedral bear the name of Basil the Blessed? Why was Basil so
popular with people?
6. What are the first two decades of the 17th century called in the Russian history?
7. What was this time characterized by?
8. Who was Moscow occupied by in 1610?
9. What role did Minin and Pozharshy play in the liberation of Moscow from the Poles?
10. Where did the money to built the monument to Minin and Pozharshy come from?
11. There’s a round platform of white stone in the square, isn’t there? What is it called?
What was it used for in old times?
Ex.7 Act out as a guide answering the tourist’s questions.
I
T. - I wonder why this square is called “Red”. Is it connected with the Soviet period of
your history?
G. - Нет, эта площадь получила имя «Красная» еще в 17 веке, когда русское
слово «красная» означало как «красная», так и «красивая».
T. - Red Square seems very large. How large is it?
G. - Красная площадь – огромных размеров. Она может вместить около 2 млн.
человек.
II
T. - Why is this cathedral called St. Basil’s? Who was Basil the Blessed?
G. - Василий Блаженный был юродивым (a holy fool). Он был очень известным
человеком в Москве, так как имел редкий дар. Он умел предсказывать
будущее. Даже члены царской семьи часто пользовались его даром.
T. - Where is his grave? Is he buried on the territory of the Cathedral?
G. - Да, когда он умер, он был похоронен на территории собора и, люди стали
называть собор его именем.
T. - St. Basil’s Cathedral appears in all guidebooks of Moscow. Is it the most
beautiful sight of the city?
G. - Да, собор Василия Блаженного считается одним из главных
символов Москвы. Кроме того, он включен в список объектов Всемирного
наследия ЮНЕСКО (UNESCO World Heritage sites).
T. - Is St. Basil’s Cathedral a church or a museum?
G. - Храм Василия Блаженного является филиалом (a branch) Государственного
Исторического музея, но каждое воскресенье здесь ведутся богослужения
(divine services).
T. - And what is that round platform to the left of the Cathedral?
G. - Отсюда цари и патриархи говорили с народом, здесь зачитывались царские
указы.
