Cathedrals, Churches and Monasteries

The Savior on the Blood Church (1907).  This beautiful church was modeled after St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow. It was built on the place where Tsar Alexander II was mortally wounded by terrorists in 1881.

St. Isaac's Cathedral (1858) is one of the biggest cathedrals in the world. Decorated with marble, gemstones and gold, the St. Isaac’s Cathedral is the most splendid church in St. Petersburg. The colonnade around the cupola offers an absolutely wonderful view over the city.

The Kazan Cathedral was built in 1811. This impressive building resembles St. Peter’s Dome in Rome.

Alexander Nevsky Monastery (1710-1790s) is one of the most prominent monasteries in Russia. In 1797 it was given the title "Lavra" which is held by only four Russian monasteries. The Trinity Cathedral is the most important church of the monastery. World famous artists are buried at the cemetery. Among them are Fyodor Dostoevsky, Peter Tchaikovsky, Modest Mussorgsky, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Mikhail Glinka.

Smolny Convent and Cathedral (1748-1835). The magnificent white-and-blue convent is one of the most beautiful architectural complexes in Russia. It is a masterpiece of the brilliant Italian architect Rastrelli, who also designed the Winter Palace. The convent and an institute for young women of noble origin were established there in 1764. This institute was the first educational centre for women in Russia.

Bridges

Exploring the city, you'll cross a lot of bridges—342 of them, many exquisitely designed and adorned with statues.

The bridges across the Neva are raised at night, when the Neva River isn't frozen over, to let ships pass through.

Theatres

There are lots of theaters to suit all tastes. One can hear an opera or watch a ballet in the Mariinsky Theater or the Maly Opera House. Theatergoers can enjoy the dramatic art in the Bolshoi Drama Theater or in the Alexandrinsky Theater. Chamber and symphony music can be enjoyed in the Shostakovich Philharmonic Society. And, finally, those who prefer pop singers and rock stars can visit their shows at concert halls or sport palaces like the SKK or the Ledovy Palace. Two circuses are at people's disposal as well.

Festivals

Saint Petersburg is also famous for its legendary white nights. Different festivals take place at this time. It has also been a tradition for graduates of all kinds to celebrate their graduation and make marry in the night city.

The suburbs

Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin) used to be the main summer residence of the Russian tsars. It is one of the most beautiful places just outside St. Petersburg. It is situated 25 km south of the city. The major attraction of the ensemble is the gorgeous Catherine Palace built in the style of Russian baroque. The world-famous Amber room, which was extensively restored for the 300th birthday of St. Petersburg in 2003, is located in the palace.
Tsarskoye Selo is also famous for its Imperial Lyceum, an education institution for young aristocrats. Alexander Pushkin was among the first graduates of the Lyceum.

Peterhof, another the summer residence of the Russian tsars, is located 29 km west of St. Petersburg and is famous for its wonderful park ensemble. The highlight of Peterhof is the Great Palace with the magnificent Great Cascade.

Words and expressions

to lay (laid, laid) − класть

peasant − крестьянин, сельский житель

magnificent − великолепный, величественный

swampland − болотистая местность

UNESCO − United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - ЮНЕСКО

heritage − наследство; наследие

list − список, перечень, реестр

fortress − крепость

cathedral − кафедральный собор

gilded − позолоченный

spire − шпиль

to be buried − быть похороненным

duke − князь, герцог

treasure − сокровище

glorious − знаменитый, прославленный

mansion − большой особняк,  дворец

permanent − постоянный

display − показ, демонстрация

to comprise – включать, содержать

item − предмет

to occupy − занимать

embankment − набережная

former − бывший

residence − жильё; дом, резиденция

emperor − император

to adorn − украшать

rapidly − быстро

marble − мрамор

cemetery − кладбище

convent − монастырь (преим. женский)

to raise − поднимать

chamber music − камерная музыка

suburbs − пригород, пригородные районы

Task 2. How much do you know about the city you study at? How many of these questions can you answer?

1. When was St. Petersburg founded?

2. Who is the founder of the city?

3. What is the city’s oldest building?

4. What is the State Hermitage Museum famous for?

5. How big is the collection of the Hermitage?

6. Which other museums are there in St. Petersburg?

7. How long is Nevsky Prospect, the main thoroughfare of the city?

8.  What are the best known cathedrals in St. Petersburg?

9. How many bridges does St. Petersburg have?

Task 3. Translate into Russian.

1. Одна из достопримечательностей Петербурга – фонтаны. Наиболее знаменитый из них – фонтанный комплекс Петергофа.

2. В черте города находится около 100 водоёмов (озёр, прудов, искус- ственных водоёмов), через которые перекинуто около 800 мостов, в том числе 218 пешеходных.

3. Собственно городских мостов – 342, остальные в пригородах (Кронштадт – 5, Пушкин – 54, Петергоф – 51, Павловск – 16, Ломоносов – 7); из них 22 моста разводные.

4. Самый длинный мост – Большой Обуховский (вантовый) мост через Неву (2824 метров), самый широкий мост – Синий мост на реке Мойке (99,5 м).

5. Центральная часть города находится с 1990 г. под охраной ЮНЕСКО; сохранность исторической архитектурной среды в центре города до начала XXI века была достаточно высока.

6. Под охраной государства в Санкт-Петербурге находится около 8 тысяч памятников архитектуры.

7. Ряд новых строительных проектов, нарастающий объём сноса зданий фоновой застройки центра и появление в центре новых зданий, разрывающих ансамбли и искажающих виды, вызывают возражения у общественности.

8. Всё чаще звучат мнения, что такие действия могут разрушить уникальную городскую среду петербургского центра.

Task 4 Practice the following dialogue.

– Добрый вечер, мистер Браун. Как дела? Хорошо провели время?

– It’s everything all right. I had an appointment with my business partner at 9 o’clock. I'm on business here, you know, but whenever I find an hour to spare I go sightseeing. I’m so full of impressions. And what about you, Mr. Rodgers, did you enjoy the afternoon walk?

– О, конечно! Петербург – поистине удивительный город! Здесь на каждом шагу есть что-то, что привлекает ваше внимание. Я здесь уже третий день. Завтра я хочу сходить в Эрмитаж.

– It’s a good idea. The Hermitage, like all museums, needs to be taken a little at a time.

– Я слышал, что Эрмитаж занимает шесть великолепных исторических зданий с протяжённостью коридоров более чем 30 км. Художественная коллекция насчитывает около 3 миллионов экспонатов. Сначала я хочу осмотреть старейшее здание Эрмитажа – Зимний дворец. Это далеко отсюда?

– No, it’s no distance at all, only 20-minute walk.

Task 5.Read the text and answer the question.