Taganrog

Taganrog is situated on a high shore of the Sea of Azov. It is the first port in the history of Russian Navy and one of the oldest Russian towns. It was founded according to the order of Peter I in 1698.

September 12. 1698 is considered to be the official date of its foundation. Here are some facts from the history.

During ten years, from 1700 till 1710 Taganrog was the main port of the Russian Navy and the fortress guarding the southern state boundaries of Russia.

In I710 Turkey began a war against Russia. Large Turkish squadron was sent to destroy Taganrog. But Russian warships stopped the Turkish fleet and did not allow it to come into the Taganrog harbor. Turkish landing party was smashed by the garrison land forces it was the first war exam to the fortress and a brilliant victory of the Taganrog garrison.

The pity of it is that all efforts to save Taganrog were in vain. The main Russian troops under the command of the Tsar were surrounded by superior Turkish forces. Russia was obliged to give up Azov and destroy Taganrog fortress according to the Prut peaceful treaty.

In 1712 the fortress was razed to the ground and Tagan Rog was left by the Russians. The place lay in ruins for more than half a century.

Only in 1769 Russian troops returned to the destroyed fortress and it was restored as well as the port and the harbor. Now Taganrog is one of the most important Sea ports in the South of Russia. Ships from many foreign countries come to our port.

Taganrog is also a large industrial and cultural centre. There are several industrial enterprises that are known abroad. There are one university and some institutes, many colleges, over 30 secondary schools in our town. There are several Palaces of culture and sport, clubs and museums. The most famous among them are the Museum of local Lore, the Museum of Town-building аnd Life, the Art Gallery, the Chekhov Literary Museum, the Chekhov's Lavka (Shop) and others.

Taganrog is Chekhov's native land. He was born here and began his literary career.

There are many places connected with his name in the town: the drama theatre, the town library, one of the oldest schools (where Chekhov was a schoolboy), the street where Chekhov's house is situated. All these places were named after Chekhov.

Many famous names are connected with the history of Taganrog: Garibaldy and Shmidt, Alexander I, Pushkin and Chaikovsky, Kuindgy and Savitsky, Mayakovsky and Gorky arc among them.

Our town lies on a peninsula washed by the Taganrog Gulf. It is a green town. It's especially beautiful when trees are in blossom. Its beauty, a warm sea, numerous sightseeing places and monuments attract crowds of tourists.

The monument to Peter the Great, the founder of Taganrog, was crected in 1908 on the sea, Mark Antokolsky, a famous Russian sculptor, is its author. A. P. Chekhov took an active part in the creation of the monument. The monument to A. P. Chekhov (Rukavishnikov, a sculptor) is located in the Chekhov street. There are also monuments to the Heroes of Taganrog Underground, to Korolev and Gagarin, the conquerors of space, the obelisk to Garibaldy and the monument to Pushkin.

As Taganrog lies on the seashore it is a resort. There are rest homes, camps for children, rest bases for toilers and fishermen in its suburbs. In summer people come to the warm sea to bathe and burn in the sun, to spend their holidays.

In 1998 our town celebrated 300^th anniversary. I love my native town.

Ответьте на вопросы.

1. Whereis Taganrog situated?

2. What is considered the official date of its foundation?

3. What was Russia obliged in 1710?

4. When did Russian troops return to the destroyed fortress?

5. Is Taganrog Chekhov's native land?

6. Who was the founder of Taganrog?

7. What places of interests are there in Taganrog?

8. Who was the sculptor of the monument to Peter the Great?