Many old Muscovites remember the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. It was built in 1837—1883 by the famous architect K.A.Ton. It was mercilessly destroyed in the 30-ies of the 20th century. It’s really a shame! Nowadays the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is rising higher and higher and the main part of it will have been completed by the 850th anniversary of Moscow.
Every year the waters of the Moskva River reflect new architectural ensembles. The restored building of the State Tretyakov Picture Gallery is a striking example of such an ensemble. The Gallery has a large collection of paintings by Russian artists.
Some dwelling houses, hospitals, schools, offices, cafes, markets, old streets are being rebuilt. In Moscow work on the Underground goes on uninterruptedly. Lately a new line of the Moscow metro has been finished. It has linked the new district of Bibirevo with the-capital’s centre.
We can’t help mentioning what is going on at Manezh Square. The complex which is being built here maybe called “The Time Machine”. In fact, future visitors will be able to make a trip to the depth of the centuries. Imagine a multi-storied underground complex. On the surface it is “covered” by a shadowy park with fountains and the main alley. Along the alley there are sculptural portraits of all the rulers of the Russian land from the ancient times till the last emperor. At the end of the alley there is a crystal chapel in honour of the prince Alexander Nevsky. This park will already appear by the autumn of 1996, and it will be washed by the waters of the Neglinnaa River which will flow near Alexandrovsky Garden.
Vocabulary
the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour — Храм Христа Спасителя
architect — архитектор
mercilessly — безжалостно
to complete — заканчивать, завершать
anniversary — годовщина
ensemble — ансамбль (архитектурный)
the State Tretyakov Gallery — Государственная Третьяковская галерея
uninterruptedly — непрерывно
can’t help mentioning — нельзя не упомянуть
a shadowy park — тенистый парк
a fountain — фонтан
an alley — аллея
a portrait — портрет
an emperor — император
a crystal chapel — хрустальная часовня
Alexander Nevsky — Александр Невский
