Английский язык. Александрова Г.А. - 38 стр.

                          II семестр
                             Unit 5
                   Conversational topic Pskov
                                    Text 1
        Pskov is one the best-known ancient Russian cities. It is located in
the northwest of Russia. Its population numbers over 200 000.
        Pskov was first mentioned in the annals of history under the year
903 as already in existence for a long time.
        The city of Pskov arose on an elevated, rocky cape at the point
where the Pskova River flows into the large, calm Velikaya River. The
city received its name from a small river on the banks of which there was
an ancient settlement. (The Pskova River was originally named Pleskova
– i.e. “splashing” – and the town was called Pleskov). The wooden walls
of the Kremlin, called the Krom, were built in the 9 th century, and its
stone walls can be dated to the 11 th century. In the 15 th century, Pskov
had five stone fortified rings. Areas beyond the Pskova River – Zapsk-
ovye – and beyond the Velikaya River – Zavelichye – lie adjacent to the
central part of the city located between the two rivers.
        The Kremlin crowned the city. It was Pskov public centre with the
city’s veche square and Trinity Cathedral. Trinity Cathedral was the sym-
bol of the entire Pskov land, for Pskov was regarded as specially protected
by the Holy Trinity. Trinity Cathedral was erected in 1699. The original
stone church was put up in 1138. The church was rebuilt in 1367. Trinity
Cathedral as we see it today was built at the end of the 17 th century and
received the same site and the same dynamic outlines by heritage. The
cathedral stands exactly 72 metres high, that is as high as 28 storey mod-
ern building.
        The ancient part of Pskov with its many architectural monuments
and historical sites is within the boundaries of Sovetskaya and Sverdlova
streets. Sovetskaya street was ancient Pskov’s main street and was called
Velikaya Street. The street was three metres wide.
        Pskov is very rich in ancient architectural monuments. There are
nearly a hundred of them in the small area of the ancient city: fortified
walls and towers ancient churches, and the stone houses of wealthy mer-
chants.

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