MOSCOW: THE HEART OF RUSSIA

Discover Russia’s colorful history in Moscow’s lively present

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Changes-few cities have experienced as dramatic ones as Moscow.

Under the tsars, Moscow grew large. They built beautiful buildings but treated their people poorly. In 1917, the Soviets tried to improve people’s lives. But their policies and buildings turned the city dull and gray. Today, 15 years after the end of the Soviet Union, Moscow looks busy and bright. International shops and restaurants line the city streets.

Strolling through Moscow’s streets, visitors can see for themselves how all these changes have shaped the city.

Any visit to Moscow should begin in the Red Square, the heart of the city. The square is most beautiful at night when the buildings are lit up. The square got its name in the 17^th century. At that time the Russian word for “red” also meant beautiful.

The square was and is a place to meet and to celebrate. For centuries, church festivals and public gatherings have taken place there. In the Soviet era, grand military parades marched through the square. Today, it’s also a venue for big rock concerts.

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Palaces and cathedrals

On the north side of Red Square stands the Kremlin. A thick wall with 20 towers surrounds it. “Kremlin” means “fortress” in Russian, and many Russian cities have one. But Moscow’s is the most famous. Within the Kremlin lie beautiful churches, museums, palaces, and the President of Russia’s residence.

In the Cathedral of the Assumption, all the Tsars were crowned, beginning in 1547. The Soviets closed the church for 70 years, but it reopened in 1990. The State Armory, Russia’s oldest museum, houses priceless royal treasures. These include a fantastic collection of Faberge eggs.

At the east end of Red Square stands St. Basil’s Cathedral. Its colorful onion-shaped domes reach into the sky. Each one is unique. Legend says that the cathedral really impressed Napoleon. He wanted to take it back to Paris with him. But he did not have the technology to do it.

Along the south side of Red Square lies the famous GUM department store. Actually, the store more closely resembles a mall. In Soviet times, the shops there carried few goods. Today, Russian and Western stores fill the elegant three-story building.

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Lots of attractions

Those wishing to do their shopping outside should head to Arbat Street, Moscow’s liveliest pedestrian area. Here painters and souvenir sellers hawk their good and street performers entertain. Hungry shoppers have all kinds of cafes and restaurants to choose from.

Riding Moscow’s Metro is the easiest way to get to Arbat Street and around the city. The oldest stations of the Metro look almost like palaces. Marble and other beautiful stones decorate the tunnels and platforms. More people ride this Metro than any other in the world-8 million a day!

Above ground, Moscow will delight museum lovers. Moscow’s many museums showcase Russian art, literature, history and science. The Tretyakov gallery houses the greatest masterpieces of Russian art. Interested in writers Tolstoy or Puskin? Each has a museum dedicated to his work.

Those interested in the Russian space program can learn about that, too. The museum is located inside a Soviet-era monument that looks like a silver rocket soaring into space. Looking at the monument, one can’t help but reflect on Russia’s past-and wonder about its future.

Word Bank

Dramatic (adj) 戏剧性的；引人注目的

The city made dramatic changes to its downtown. It looks very modern now.

Policy (n) 政策

It is the country’s policy to allow visitors to stay for only two weeks.

Era (n) 时代；年代

Communication is much easier in the era of computers.

Venue (n) 地点

The new concert hall is a great venue for performances.

Fortress (n) 堡垒；要塞

The fortress protected the people from the enemy.

Priceless (adj) 无价的；贵重的

The antiques in this museum are priceless.

Impress (v) 给…留下深刻印象；使感动

John impressed Rita with his perfect Chinese.

Goods (n pl) 商品；货物

All the goods in the store are on sale today.

Hawk (v) 叫卖

Several men stood on the street corner hawking T-shirts.

Platform (n) 月台；平台

Jenny stood on the platform for 20 minutes waiting for the train to come.

Masterpiece (n) 杰作；名作

Several masterpieces by famous painters hang in this art gallery.

Monument (n) 纪念碑

This monument in the city square was built in memory of our country’s heroes.

More Information

Soviet (n) 苏联

The Soviets ruled Russia until 1991.

Faberge egg (n) 法贝热彩蛋（为沙皇而做的精美复活节蛋饰）

Faberge eggs are elaborate Easter eggs that were made for the tsar each Easter.

Dome (n) 圆顶；穹顶

A huge dome covered the sports arena.

Metro (n) 地铁

Many people ride the city’s metro to get to work.

Moscow: Facts for Travelers

Location: West-central part of Russia

Average Temperature: 5 C/41 F

(-7 C/19 F in January and 18 C/64 F in July)

When to go: Early summer and early autumn

Language: Russian

Travel tip: Don’t visit Russia from May 1-9 or December 31-January 9. These are major holiday times when everyone takes a vacation. Nearly all businesses are closed.

Usage Tips

On the north side of Red Square stands the Kremlin.

我们学过的句型结构是：主语＋谓语...

这个句子完全颠倒了“正常句型”

其实它的意思是：

The Kremlin stands on the north side of Red Square.

好好的句子为什么要倒着写呢？

不过你不觉得“正常句”比较boring呢？

这其实是一种写作技巧，使景色的描述更加生动！

How would you change these?

(1) The woodcutter and his dog live at the foot of the mysterious mountain.