Russia is one of the largest and most beautiful countries in the world. There are a lot of landmarks in Russia. I will tell you only about some of them.
Moscow is the capital of Russia. It is the biggest city in our country. The most famous landmarks, the Kremlin and Red Square, are situated in the centre of Moscow.
The Kremlin was built in the 12th century. It is a walled fortress inside the capital city. The Kremlin is famous for ancient cathe?drals that are real architectural masterpieces. The Spasskaya Tower with its clock, the Tsar-Cannon and the Tsar-Bell are the symbols of the Kremlin. The Kremlin is the official residence of the President of Russia now.
Red Square is the most famous city square in Russia. St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square was built to commem?orate Russia's victory over the Kazan Kingdom in the 16th century. The monument to Minin and Pozharsky, the oldest monument in Moscow built in memory of the victory over the Polish invaders, can be seen in front of the Cathedral. The State History Museum, one of the biggest muse?ums in Moscow, is situated opposite St. Basil's Cathedral. Read Square is the place for parades and big national and international concerts now.
Another big and famous city in Russia is Saint Petersburg. It has once been a capital of the country. The most famous landmark, which everybody wishes to see in Saint Petersburg, is the Hermitage. It?s a huge museum, which houses more than 3 million art items, and is situated in the building of Winter Palace. The first person who started collecting paintings and sculptures of famous European artists was the Empress Catherine II.
We live in Novosibirsk, the third biggest city of Russia. One of the most famous landmarks in our city is Opera and Ballet Theatre. It is located in the centre of Novosibirsk at Lenin square. It was built in 1944. It is the largest theatre in Russia. The theatre is often called the "Siberian Coliseum" because of its size and beauty.
I am proud of my country and its numerous landmarks.
Topic 2: Landmarks of the British Isles
The United Kingdom (or Great Britain) is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of two large islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and about five thousand small islands. There are a lot of landmarks on the British Isles. I will tell you only about some of them.
The Tower of London sits on the banks of the River Thames in London, England. The Tower is guarded by Yeoman Warders, or `Beefeaters`. Eight big, black ravens live in the Tower. There`s a legend that says if they ever fly away, the Tower will fall down.
Edinburgh Castle is Scotland`s most famous landmark. It is very popular with tourists and around 1 million people visit it every year. Edinburgh Castle is a very unique castle as it was built on top of an extinct volcano.
Conwy Castle is located in Gwynedd, Wales. It is a classical 13th century fortress. The castle is a masterpiece of medieval architecture that took seven years to build. It has eight big towers that offer great views of the nearby river and the Snowdonian mountains.
Malahide Castle is north-east of Dublin City, Ireland. It dates back to the 12th century. The castle is in the middle of a large park and was used as both a fortress and a family home. It is a spooky place because people often see ghosts there.
The landmarks of the British Isles are worth visiting.