Pavel Alexeevich Kropotkin

(1842-1921) a Russian revolutionary, anarchist, geographer, geologist, sociologist. He was born into the family of a general, a rich landowner. He broke off with his family and became a revolutionary Since June 1862 till November 1867 he lived and worked in our parts, mostly in Chita.

Conversational topic: Historical places and monuments in Chita Decembrists' Church

There is Mihailovo-Arhangelskaya church in Selenginskaya street known as Decembrists' Church. It is the only monument of the eighteenth century in Chita. It was built of wood in 1771. It is rather original because combines modern and ancient architectural details. The church is one of the important and interesting monuments of art and history in East Siberia. Decembrists and their wives attended the church. Polina Gebl, the frenchwoman who arrived in Chita to her beloved married him in this church and became Praskovja Egorovna Annenkova. Later Decembrist Dm. Zavalishin married Appolinariya Smolyaninova in the same church. Nowadays the church is a museum. Historical documents, manuscripts, photoes, all have their places in this museum. We learn about the Russian revolutionaries who rose in arms against the serfdom on December 14, 1825 in Senatskaya Square in Petersburg. When we look at all the exhibits on display our hearts are filled with respect and pride for our past.

1. Agree or disagree.

1. There is Mihailovo-Arhangelskaya church in Selenginskaya street known as Decembrists' Church.

1. It is not the only monument of the eighteenth century in Chita.

2. It was built of glass and stone.

3. It is rather common building.

4. The church is one of the most important and interesting monuments of art and history in East Siberia.

5. Decembrists and their wives attended the church.

6. Nowadays the church is a museum.

h) When we look at all the exhibits on display our hearts are filled with respect and pride for our past.

2. Answer the following questions:

1. Is there any church in Selenginskaya street?

1. It is the only monument of the eighteenth century in Chita, isn't it?

2. What is it made of⁹

3. Why is it rather original?

4. The church is one of the important and interesting monuments of art and history in East Siberia, isn't it?

5. Why is this church called Decembrists' Church?

g) What documents have their places in this museum?

h) Do we learn about the Russian revolutionaries in it?

i) What do we feel when we look at all the exhibits on display?

3. Say what you learned about Decembrists' Church (a sentence or more for each pupil).

3. Say everything you learned about Decembrists' Church.

Monument to Active Revolutionaries of 1905-1907

At the foot of the Titovskaya Sopka there is a monument to the active revolutionaries of 1905-1907: A.A. Kostjushko-Valjuschanich (Grigorovich), E.V. Tsupsman, I.A. Vainshtem, P.E. Stolyarov who were short in that place by tsarist gendarms. The monument was opened on November 7, 192 6. It is an obelisk surmounted with the star. The pedestal of the obelisk is decorated with bas-reliefs representing the portraits of the revolutionaries.