Podil The jewel of Kyiv is Podil. Its fascinating sights and rich cultu- ral history make it unique. The word literally means "the place in the valley". Craftsmen and fishermen used to live there. River fish- ing was one of the most important occupations of the inhabitants at the dawn of Kyiv's history. The craftsmen produced different goods for sale. Kontraktova Square has become the place for all-Russian fairs since 1798. Merchants from all parts of the country visited the fairs. For the needs of customers the Merchants' Yard was put up. There were fifty stores in it with various goods and products. Podil was settled at the foot of the hills covered with forests, thus the houses were mostly made of wood. That caused a great fire in 1811 and the old district was destroyed. A wind was blowing from the river and it blew flames from house to house so all the wooden buildings were burnt down. People loved their native Podil very much and rebuilt the dis- trict after the fire. It became even more beautiful. Unfortunately, the original building of the Merchants' Yard didn't survive either, so a new building of the same look was built. Next to the Merchants' Yard there is the Fountain Samson. It was designed in 1749 by the Ukrainian architect Ivan Hryhorovych- Barsky. There are many legends about the fountain, one of which says that the person who tastes "Samson's water" will stay in Kyiv forever. 1. How is Podil called In the text? Why? 2. Where la Podil situated? 3. Who uaed to llve there? 4. What dld the craftamen produce? 5. Why has Kontraktova Square become famous since 17087 6. Why did Kylvites build wooden houses in those daya? 7. When was the old district burnt down? 8. What did people do after the fire? 9. What sight In Kontraktova Square is connected with many legenda?
