what is the meaning of the following sentence?

[rrock]

Dear friends:
In the fellowing sentence:
Within the Kremlin lie beautiful churches, museums, palaces, and the President of Russia's residence.
1.Why does the sentence use "lie" instead of "lies" ?
2. What does "of" mean?
3.Can I say "Within the Kremlin lie beautiful churches, museums, palaces, and the residence of the President of Russia." ?
Please tell me.
thanks

[Dixie]

Dear friends:
In the fellowing sentence:
Within the Kremlin lie beautiful churches, museums, palaces, and the President of Russia's residence.
1.Why does the sentence use "lie" instead of "lies" ?
2. What does "of" mean?
3.Can I say "Within the Kremlin lie beautiful churches, museums, palaces, and the residence of the President of Russia." ?
Please tell me.
thanks

1. They use lie because the subject is plural (churches, museums, palaces...). If it were singular, they would have used lies: Within the Kremlin lies the President of Russia's residence..

2. Not sure how to explain it, "of" means possession.

3. The saxon genitive works very well here, and sounds more natural to me.