Астраханский кремль (английский язык - 8 класс)

Astrakhan. The Kremlin.

The heart of Astrakhan is the Kremlin, a wonderful architectural ensemble. It is a famous monument of Russian architecture and military engineering art of the 16^th century. The Astrakhan Kremlin covers the territory of 11 hectares, the perimeter is 1544 meters, its walls are between 7 and 11 meters high. The Kremlin walls were used as peculiar and the most absolute system for the defense. There were 3 rows of cannon loop- holes. Through these loop- holes the defenders could deliver fire. The Kremlin gave multinational Astrakhan Russian town's coloring. In the 16-17 centuries there were administrative buildings, Troitski cloister, arm depots, etc.

Not only Uspenski and Troitski cathedrals but also bishop's chambers, Kirillovskaya chapel were preserved up to our days.

Uspenski cathedral was built in 1710. Self- peasant Dorofei Myakishev guided the work. Uspenski cathedral is 75 m high. It has 5 golden domes. In its outward mounting we can see the features of early baroque. From the west the place of execution, the so-called "Lobnoye Mesto" joined the cathedral. The Tsar decrees and sentences were announced here.

Troitski cathedral consists of 3 churches: Troitskaya, Kremlin Towers was called "pytochnaya", people were put to torture there. The Kremlin with golden domes and towers attracts everybody's attention and makes a strong impression on tourists and guests of our town because the Kremlin is an architecture monument of the 16^th century

New Words:

hectare - гектар

peculiar - особенный, своеобразный

cannon - пушка

row - ряд

loop - hole- бойница

defender - защитник

cloister- монастырь

chamber - палата

depot - склад

serf - peasant - крепостной крестьянин

dome - купол

outward mounting- внешнее оформление

baroque - барокко

decree - декрет, указ

sentence - приговор

refectory - трапезная

to put to torture - подвергать пытке