Solutions of the Einstein and Einstein–Maxwell equations for spherically symmetric metrics (those of Schwarzschild and Reissner–Nordstr\“{o}m) are derived and discussed in detail. The equations of orbits of planets and of bending of light rays in a weak field are derived and discussed. Two methods to measure the bending of rays are presented. Properties of gravitational lenses are described. The proof (by Kruskal) that the singularity of the Schwarzschild metric at r = 2m is spurious is given. The relation of the r = 2m surface to black holes is discussed. Embedding of the Schwarzschild spacetime in a 6-dimensional flat Riemann space is presented. The maximal extension of the Reissner–Nordstr\“{o}m metric (by the method of Brill, Graves and Carter) is derived. Motion of charged and uncharged particles in the Reissner–Nordstr\“{o}m spacetime is described.