Английский язык. Александрова Г.А. - 39 стр.

       The most important aspect of the ancient city’s heritage - the reli-
gious architecture. The architecture of the Pskov’s churches reflects the
people’s concept of beauty based on the traditions and creative endeavour
of many generations. The type of stone church typical of Pskov arose in
the 14 th century. Pskov’s churches are cubic in shape with three or one
semi-circular apses, for the most part with one dome and divided by broad
pilasters into three parts joined together at the top by blind arcading. The
church was decorated inside with murals creating a very special atmo-
sphere-lofty and solemn. Painting, nature and architecture formed an amaz-
ing unity. Beauty was not a luxury, but part of life.
       The first stone buildings appeared in Pskov in the second part of the
12 th century. Two 12 th century monasteries-Mirozhsky and St. John’s -
have been built on the Velikaya River. The Church of St. Basil «on the
Hill» is an outstanding example of Pskovian architecture. This church is
the only monument still in existence from the first half of the 15 th centu-
ry. There was a swamp not far from the spot where St. Basil stands. It was
drained, and in 1371 the church of St. Nicholas «on the Usokha» (on a
drained spot) was built there. The Church of St. Anastasia of Rome was
built in the 16 th century. The Church of the Archangel Michael, built in
the 14 th century, still stands today in the right - hand side of Lenin Square.
       The 17 th century was a flourishing period for Pskov civil architec-
ture. Stone houses for rich merchants were built in Pskov-massive build-
ings for that time, with high, powerful walls, small windows with iron
shutters and stone walls around them. Many of the houses are still stand-
ing today: those belonging to the merchants Postnikov, Trubinsky, Lapin,
Jakovlev, Pogankin and others. The Pskov scholar and architect, Yuri Spe-
galsky suggested that most of these houses had wooden upper floors where
the families actually lived.
       The city’s main street is Oktyabrsky Prospekt (October Avenue),
which stretches across the city from Vokzalnaya ulitsa (Raiway Station
Street) at its eastern end to Oktober Square running directly alongside the
Velikaya River. This avenue is wide and its sidewalks are like pathways in
a park. There are two parks - the Botanical Gardens and the Pushkin Sum-
mer Garden - located approximately in the middle of the avenue.
       A monument in honour of victory in the second World War has
been erected on Victory Square. An Eternal Flame was lit at the base of

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