Moscow, with a population of nearly nine million, is spread over a vast area of a thousand square kilometers. Originally, however, it was nothing but as small fortress lost amid woods and marshes. Founded in 1147 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, Moscow was named after the Moskva River on the bank of which it was built. In the course of time Moscow grew into a real city which became the centre of a principality. In the 13 century ancient Russ, which included the Moscow Principality, fell under the yoke of the Tatar-Mongol invaders for two hundred years. They plundered and sacked Moscow in 1238. It was only in 1480 — a hundred years later after the historic battle of Külikovo field — in the reign of Grand Duke Ivan III, which the foreign yoke was finally thrown off. By that time, Russ had grown into a big powerful state capable of repulsing any enemy. By the end of Ivan’s reign, the prince of Moscow was, in fact, the ruler of Russia. In the 15 century, Moscow became the capital of the Russian state and the largest economic and cultural centre in the country. Crafts, trade, foundry work and construction began to develop rapidly in the city. It attracted master builders and artists from all over Russ. Many famous architects from Italy were invited. Everybody can see the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed, a unique example of the 6 century Russian architecture. In the early 1 7 century the capital was occupied by Polish and Lithuanian invaders, who sacked and devastated the city. It was only in 1612 that a people’s volunteer army, headed by merchant Kuzma Minin and the Voevoda Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, drove the invaders out of the city. There then followed two centuries of peace in the life of Moscow. In the late 1 8 century, a number of outstanding architects such as Vassili Bazhenov, Matvei Kazakov and Giacomo Quarenghi created their masterpieces in Moscow. Then the year 1812 came. The invasion of the French Army began. During the famous Battle of Borodino Moscow was surrendered by the enemy. Once again the city was plundered and destroyed by fires and once again it rose from ashes. Now it became more beautiful. The city centre was replanted. The city was enriched by a number of remarkable structures such as Bolshoi and Maly Theatres, the Manege, etc. Moscow also continued its development as a major cultural centre. It was the home city of the oldest Russian university, which was founded in 1755, and numerous museums, theatres, and publishing houses. In the early 20” century, the Moscow proletariat played a major part in the First Russian Revolution of 1905—I 907 years. The general political strike started by Moscow workers in October 1905 developed into a nation-wide one. Numerous names in the city reflect the events of those days: Among them are Krasnaya Presnya, the district of Moscow, where there was bitter fighting in December 1905, Ulitsa 1905 Goda (Year 1905 Street), Barricadnaya Ulitsa (Barricade Street). In March 1918, the Soviet government headed by Lenin, moved from Petrograd to Moscow, and the city once again became the capital. The rapid growth of the city and the expansion of its boundaries have been accompanied by reconstruction of the central part of Moscow. The development of the city was sporadic at times, particularly in the early days. That is why we can often see buildings of different periods and styles which sometimes even seem incomparable — from Baroque to Constructivism — standing side by side. And this is exactly what creates the unique character of the city and gives it a particular fascination.