We can take our time and admire the architectural treasures of Barnaul. Demidov Square is a place where we can always make new discoveries, however many times we return there.
The foundation stone of the Mining Hospital was laid in 1827. The number “ one ‘ meant that it was the first hospital actually belonging to the city, as opposed to private hospitals and hospitals belonging to other state agencies. With the erection of the Hospital, Almshouse and Senior Mining School, Demidov Square became a major ensemble inspired by the tradition of Russian architecture; its aesthetic value was very high. The original layout was distinguished by perfectly harmonious integrity. The history of Demidov Square began on February 20, 1818 by offer of P. Frolov. The Mining Council signed an order to set up Hospital, Almshouse, Senior Mining School and Obelisk in Barnaul.
L. Ivanov and J.Popov played a significant role in the designing of the buildings. The buildings designed by such outstanding architects as L. Ivanov, A Molchanov, J Popov and other masters were not mere residential or office buildings, they were symbols of power. Although they had designed a large number of residential buildings, old -age houses, churches, hospitals and schools, this square occupied a special place in their life and work. The square was one vast building site and it was completed between 1829 and 1851 by architect J. Popov, who was influenced by Classicism. The work was carried out under the supervision of J. Popov. He was born in 1803 in Barnaul and in 1820 he was sent to the Academy of Arts of St. Petersburg. According to some sources, about six years he worked as an apprentice with a prominent architect K. Rossi.
Sited most advantageously, the square was a place with a view of the steel works and mountainous part of the city. When in 1857 white – stoned St. John’s church / Ioannovskaya / was built, space composition of the complex got logical completion. The centricity of the architectural design laid down in the plan itself necessitated the same decoration of each façade of the buildings. This kind of architecture – square ensemble in which landscape was part and parcel of the general architectural idea, became very common in Russia in the 18th – 19th centuries.
The Mining Hospital was the first building erected according to the plan, it is not difficult to say today what the original proportions and shape of the building were, because on the whole, stylistically it remained unchanged. This monument of Classicist architecture is noted for imposing and sturdy, gentle and serene forms. It is one of the best monuments of classical style in Barnaul. Before the Great October Revolution the building housed the Men’s Gymnasium. Apparently in 1944 towards the end of the Second World War the Altai Agricultural Institute took over the premises. The relatively good condition of the building is due to the rare instance when a building’s owner has remained the same for many years, so our monument has had a stroke of good luck.
The granite obelisk was erected in Demidov Square to commemorate a centenary of mining industry in Altai. All the buildings in the square are considered to be gems of Siberian city design.
Text Study
1. Read the text without consulting the dictionary, pencil – mark the words that you do not understand. Copy out the sentences which describe the design of Demidov Square. Translate them into Russian.
2. Read paragraph 1 and 2. State the main idea of the paragraph and make up a list of examples which illustrate it.
Copy out the words equivalent to: çàëîæèòü, áîãàäåëüíÿ, ãîñïèòàëü, ãëàâíûé àíñàìáëü, òðàäèöèè ðóññêîé àðõèòåêòóðû, ãîðíûé ñîâåò, âàæíàÿ ðîëü, âûäàþùèåñÿ àðõèòåêòîðû, àäìèíèñòðàòèâíûå çäàíèÿ, ñèìâîë âëàñòè, ñòðîèòåëüíàÿ ïëîùàäêà, àêàäåìèÿ õóäîæåñòâ, ïî íåêîòîðûì èñòî÷íèêàì.
Give Russian equivalents of: Almshouse, an original layout, harmonious integrity, by offer, a significant role, outstanding architects, residential buildings, a symbol of power, a vast building site, to be influenced by, to be born, according to.
3. Read paragraph 3. Copy out the topic sentence. Copy out the words equivalent to: áåëîêàìåííàÿ, ëîãè÷åñêîå çàâåðøåíèå, ïðîñòðàíñòâåííàÿ êîìïîçèöèÿ, öåíòðè÷íîñòü àðõèòåêòóðíîãî ïðîåêòà, óêðàøåíèå ôàñàäà, ïðèðîäíàÿ ñðåäà.
4. Read paragraphs 4 and 5. State the main idea of the paragraphs. Enumerate the elements describing classical style. Give Russian equivalents of: the original proportions and shape, imposing and sturdy, gentle and serene forms, premises, a stroke of good luck, a centenary of mining industry, gems.
Translate paragraph 5 into Russian.
5. Retell the text as close to the original as possible.
6. Describe the layout of Demidov Square; Barnaul architects; Ioannovskaya Church; the Mining Hospital.
7. Give a brief summary of the text.
8. Write a translation of the following text; translate your Russian version back into English; check with the original and make the necessary corrections.
Matvei Kazakov (1738 – 1812) is the distinguished founder of Russian Classicism and designer of buildings. Kazakov studied architecture in Moscow, his native town. Then he worked in Tver. Kazakov assisted Bazhenov in building of the famous Grand Palace in the Kremlin. He was particularly well known for his exquisite cupolas, and the one in the Kremlin bears the Imperial Crown with the word ‘Law’ on it. There is a story that when he had completed the construction of the cupola and removed all the scaffolding, all the known architects were assembled and expressed their doubts as to the firmness of the structure; then Kazakov personally climbed up on the cupola and stood on it for half an hour. When he descended he was met with cries of “Hurrah”.
The Empress Catherine the Great herself expressed her delight and presented him with her own gloves for his wife as a sign of her benevolence. He was promoted, received a diamond ring and a considerable pension. Kazakov also enjoyed the favour of subsequent Emperors Paul and Alexander I. He designed numerous churches as well, taught architecture and compiled architectural pattern albums. His excellent drawings of houses and daily scenes have come down to us. He died in 1813 in Ryazan, at the age of 79.
9. Make up ten special questions based on this text.
10. Find passage that reflects the architect’s approach to cupolas.