Пётр I и Санкт-Петербург
Peter I and St. Petersburg
How a determined tsar built a brand-new European capital on swampland — the war for the Baltic, the city raised 'on bones', and the rise of the 'Venice of the North'.
You will practice: Past-tense narration and perfective aspect (построить, перенёс, начал), purpose clauses with чтобы, and the instrumental for means and description (по плану, своими музеями).
Words to know
Skim these before you read — they carry the story. Tap the star to add one to your saved words.
- векcentury
- отсталыйbackward, underdeveloped
- царьtsar
- правительruler
- державаgreat power, state
- флотnavy, fleet
- мореsea
- столицаcapital
- строительствоconstruction, building
- крестьянинpeasant
- болезньillness, disease
- указdecree, edict
- каменьstone
- проспектavenue
- мостbridge
- привлекатьto attract
Did you get it?
5 quick questions — no grades, just a comprehension check.
1. What kind of country was Russia at the start of the 18th century?
2. Why did Peter I need access to the Baltic Sea?
3. Why did people say Petersburg was built 'on bones'?
4. How did Peter speed up the building of stone houses?
5. Why was the city nicknamed the 'Venice of the North'?
Too hard? Pick an easier text in the reading library. Understanding most of a text without translations is the goal — struggling through is not.