A lot of architectural monuments are concentrated on Moscow’s Red Square, a special place among which is occupied by Lobnoye Mesto – a small rounded elevation with a stone fence. In the distant past, this building was used by kings and other high-ranking officials during festive events to announce decrees or proclaim solemn speeches.
Initially, the building was a low brick platform fenced with a wooden lattice. After repeated reconstructions, Lobnoe Mesto became an elevated structure surrounded by low stone railings with a pedestal in the very center of the structure. In the western part of the Execution Ground there is a door with an iron grate, through which eleven steps lead to the upper platform.
The origin of the name “frontal” itself is still not 100% clear. One of the assumptions is that this name is associated with executions that were previously carried out here, which in ancient times were called “folding foreheads” or “cutting foreheads.”
Another possible explanation is that this is a common translation of the Hebrew word "Golgotha", which itself is associated with stacked skulls at the execution site in ancient Jerusalem (if you look at the plan of the Execution Ground, you can see that its contours resemble a skull) .
The most acceptable version is considered to be the following: Lobnoye Place is located where Vasilyevsky Descent begins, which descends steeply to the Moscow River. Places with such differences in elevation in Rus' were called “Foreheads”.
The history of the appearance of Lobnoye Mesto on Red Square
Following the interpretation of ancient documents, a number of researchers believe that Lobnoye Mesto was built in 1521 in honor of the city’s deliverance from the Tatar invasion. It was first mentioned in a certain manuscript from 1549, when twenty-year-old Ivan the Terrible gave a speech to the townspeople at Lobnoye Mesto, calling on the warring boyars to reconcile. Since then, the place was often called “Tsarev”, like the royal see or the royal tribunal.
The Execution Place on Red Square is also mentioned in the “Piskarevsky Chronicler” from 1599 and “Peter’s Drawing” during the reign of Boris Godunov from 1600. According to descriptions of that time, the building was fenced with a wooden lattice, had a tent or canopy on poles and was located opposite Frolovsky (today - Spassky) gates of the Kremlin.
All subsequent time, right up to the transfer of the capital of the Russian state to St. Petersburg, the building was the main city platform, on which the most important decrees of the tsar were announced to the people; here twice a year the sovereign presented the heir to his people (until the latter reached adulthood); here the election of the patriarch, the beginning of the war and the signing of a peace agreement were announced; near the Execution Place, the rebellious archers of Peter I were executed, and at its steps lay the disfigured body of False Dmitry I.
In 1753, Lobnoye Mesto was restored by the architect D.V. Ukhtomsky, and in 1786, according to the design of the Russian architect Matvey Kazakov, the building was shifted to the east and partially rebuilt.
From ancient times until the October Revolution, religious processions stopped near the Execution Ground, and from its top the bishop made the sign of the cross over the townspeople. When the “Entry into Jerusalem” was celebrated, the patriarch ascended to the Place of Execution and from there distributed consecrated willow to the tsar, boyars and clergy, and at the end of the ceremony, he left the square on a donkey, led by the tsar himself!
In 1919, a wooden monument “Stepan Razin with his gang” was erected at Lobnoye Mesto, which, in order to preserve it from the destructive influence environment, it was decided to dismantle and move to the Proletarian Museum (now the Museum of the Revolution).
In 1936, the Sculpture of Workers was installed on Lobnoye Mesto, which stood there for several years (it was no longer there in the photographs of 1941).
Near Lobnoye Mesto in 1942, deserter S. Dmitriev, mistaking A. Mikoyan’s car for I. Stalin’s car, fired at it with a rifle. He was subsequently sentenced to death.
In 1968, a sit-in took place at Lobnoye Mesto against the entry of USSR troops into the territory of Czechoslovakia, which rebelled against the socialist system.
Today, Lobnoye Mesto is an integral part of the architectural complex of Red Square and is protected by the state.
Known interesting fact: Until recently, there was a tradition among tourists to throw coins inside the structure so that they would come back here again someday. Now the “Zero Kilometer of Russia” sign has become such a place.
Execution Place, a longtime neighbor of St. Basil's Cathedral on Red Square, is not only a monument of ancient Russian architecture, but also the most popular point on the map of Moscow for making wishes. But the history of this landmark is accompanied by one erroneous legend, the veracity of which many unconditionally believe: in the old days, heads were cut off at Lobnoye Mesto.
We all know how legends are born: one told another - and it began... That’s how this myth once came to me - from a friend, and to her from her husband. I remember she said in a dissatisfied voice: “Zhora told me not to throw a coin - here they cut off heads, and they make wishes!” And the position is sound: if this is a place of execution, then is there any place to dream about something good and bright... But why do people come here all year round and wait for their turn in order to throw that same coin? ( The essence of the “game”: get into the central spot by making a wish. It is believed that it is in this case that it will come true).
What are people saying?
I went to look for the answer to the “wizard” monument. Even on a late, autumn-cool evening, the people’s path to its steps, as they say, was not overgrown. Many people pay attention to the Execution Place - they look around, read signs, and take photographs.
Muscovite Konstantin looked around, but did not make a wish: “I didn’t throw a coin because I don’t understand the point. If there was some symbolism in this, then yes. Well, I don’t understand how others do this, thinking that people were executed here. For me, executions are not such symbolism that throwing coins here.”
But not everyone shares this opinion. For example, the spouses Alexey and Yana knew the sad legend, but they also happily threw in coins:
Alexey: “I quit because my wife told me.”
Yana: “And I know this, because 16 years ago I was here, and they told me to throw a coin here. Probably in order to return."
Alexey: “History of the place? I think there was a “axe-head” here.”
Me: “So, knowing this, you still tossed a coin and made a wish?”
Alexey: “Yes, why not?”
But a group of older foreign tourists did not support the tradition; even they knew about the “executions.” A man from the tour group comes down the steps with the words: “Ivan Grozny here...” and shows a characteristic “chop” gesture.
After that, I was no longer surprised by the answer of the Italian Alessandra, who came to make a wish before departure right with her suitcase: “I threw a coin because I wanted my wish to come true, but did not hit the middle. A friend told me that people were killed here, but I don’t know when exactly.”
Nine-year-old Dima was surprised: “No heads were chopped off here. In the old days, ordinary people brought complaints here, and then they took them away and thought about which ones to fulfill.” Interesting version.
There were also people who understood everything correctly: “Here decrees were announced, maybe even sentences, and executions were carried out somewhere nearby, but not here.” And some of them are simply adherents of the popular tradition: “You know how people like to throw coins into the river, into the fountain? It's the same here. They make a wish and believe.”
What is it really like?
Historian, Moscow expert Mikhail Korobko:
“Lobnoe Mesto was first documented in 1549. Then the tsar called on the warring boyars to reconcile - in front of the crowd, naturally. According to legend, the construction of Lobnoye Mesto is associated with the deliverance of Moscow from the Tatar invasion in 1521 under Vasily III, the father of Ivan the Terrible. That is, it’s like with the founding of Moscow: the first mention and the legend diverge.
Architect Batalov and archaeologist Belyaev suggested that the Execution Place arose as part of the ritual of the procession on a donkey, which symbolized the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. It, located opposite the chapel in the name of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem of the Intercession Cathedral, became a symbol of Calvary, just as the Intercession Cathedral is a symbol of Jerusalem.
On Palm Sunday, the Patriarch distributed consecrated willows from the Place of Execution to the Tsar, clergy and boyars, sat on a donkey and from there rode on it, led by the Tsar (donkey procession).
There were never any executions at Lobnoye Mesto. This is a legend. In the center of the monument there is a step of three steps that you can enter. Many people perceive her as a chopping block. In fact, this is just the place for a king or patriarch.”
Execution Place is a monument of ancient Russian architecture, located in the historical center of Moscow, near the walls of the Moscow Kremlin, on Red Square, opposite the gates of the Spasskaya Tower. It is a round stone elevation - a platform with a diameter of about 13 m with a staircase, fenced at the top with a parapet with carved cast-iron gates.
The etymology of the name of the Execution Place is not exactly clear. According to one version, the place received this name because executions took place here (foreheads were chopped off, foreheads were folded). There is an assumption that this is a Slavic translation from Greek “Kranievo place”, or “Golgotha” - from Hebrew, because it resembled a human skull. But the most widespread and generally accepted point of view is that Lobnoye Mesto is the beginning of Vasilyevsky Descent to the banks of the Moscow River. In the old days, such steep slopes to the river were called “foreheads” in Russia.
Tradition connects the construction of the Execution Ground with the deliverance of Moscow from the Tatar invasion in 1521. Initially it was a brick platform with a wooden lattice and a tent on poles. In 1597-98. Under Boris Godunov, Lobnoye Mesto was rebuilt in stone by unknown architects.
After the capital was moved from Moscow to St. Petersburg, Lobnoye Mesto lost its role in the life of both the city and the state, and trading shops were located around it. In 1753, the dilapidated Lobnoe Place was restored under the leadership of the chief architect of Moscow D.V. Ukhtomsky. The next restoration, or rather, reconstruction of the Execution Ground, was carried out in 1786 by the architect M.F. Kazakov according to the old plan from white cut stone. The new round platform had stone railings, and an iron grille with a door was installed on the western side. For the ascent, a staircase with 11 steps was built. At the same time, Lobnoye Place was moved a little east of its original location. In 1786, Lobnoye Mesto was rebuilt according to the design of the architect M.F. Kazakova.
The very first reliable mention of the Execution Place on Red Square is contained in the “Piskarevsky Chronicler” (1599). Later it is mentioned in “Peter’s Drawing”, which appeared at the beginning of the reign of Boris Godunov. There is Execution Place on Sigismund's plan of the city (1610). Therefore, the end of the 16th century is considered to be the time of the founding of Lobnoye Mesto.
For several centuries, Lobnoye Mesto was the main tribune of Moscow. From here state decrees were announced, from here kings made addresses to the people, and here the election of a patriarch, war, and the conclusion of peace were announced to the people. In 1612, Prince D.M. Pozharsky here proclaimed the liberation of Moscow from Polish interventionists. Often at Lobnoye Place the relics of revered Orthodox saints were displayed for public viewing. Under Vasily Shuisky, miraculous healings took place here from the miraculous relics of Tsarevich Dmitry. And in 1652, here one could see the relics of Metropolitan Philip, brought from the Solovetsky Monastery for reburial in Moscow. From the notes of the Polish ambassadors (1671) one can learn that the king rose to this place twice a year and showed his heir to the people until he was 16 years old. To October Revolution Since 1917, processions of the Cross have always stopped near the Execution Ground, and from its elevation the bishop has made the sign of the cross over those gathered. On the Feast of the Entry into Jerusalem, the patriarch and the clergy rose to the podium, distributed blessed willow branches to the king and other persons of high rank, and left from there on a donkey.
In the entire history of Russia, only a few executions were carried out directly at Lobnoye Mesto - they executed Nikita Pustosvyat, a Suzdal priest and enemy church reform Patriarch Nikon and (according to one version) Stepan Razin. The first executions took place here during the Streletsky riot, and even then the scaffold was installed nearby. Near the Execution Place in 1606, enraged people threw out the corpse of False Dmitry I. In 1768, at the Execution Place, the “murderer, bloodsucker and murderer” Saltychikha (landowner D.N. Saltykova) stood tied to a pillory, having tortured 139 of her serfs to death. Well, the last execution took place here under Catherine II, when the executioner broke the sword over the head of the nobleman Istomin and hit the master on the cheek.
On May 1, 1919, a monument “Stepan Razin with his gang” was erected on Execution Ground, carved from wood and painted in the spirit of a folk toy by sculptor S. T. Konenkov. At the end of the same month, the sculptural group was moved to the Proletarian Museum (later to the Museum of the Revolution).
On November 6, 1942, near Lobnoye Mesto, Corporal Savely Dmitriev fired at Anastas Mikoyan’s car with a rifle, mistaking it for Joseph Stalin’s car.
On August 25, 1968, a sit-in demonstration took place near Lobnoye Mesto against the entry of Warsaw Pact troops into Czechoslovakia.
Nowadays, Lobnoye Mesto is part of the Red Square complex, and among tourists there is a tradition of throwing coins on it in order to return here again.
Previously, the zero kilometer was located at Lobnoye Mesto.
Moscow is the capital of our Motherland. Many people have been to this city. Some people love him, some hate him. But one cannot help but admit that Moscow is architecturally beautiful and historically rich, especially its center. Agree, among Russian cities only St. Petersburg can compete in the number of significant memorial sites, buildings, museums, and the like. Where does a tourist first go when he arrives in Moscow? Think correctly. There are riches on Red Square: Lobnoye Mesto, the famous monument to Minin and Pozharsky, the tomb of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, also known as the mausoleum. The neighbors of Red Square are GUM, the Historical Museum and the Kazan Cathedral, St. Basil's Cathedral.
Execution Place is not "Dom-2"
It's not something where people just sit. In fact, it is very sad that the modern generation, when they hear the phrase “frontal place,” first thinks about not the most intellectual program on Russian television. But we will hope for the best in the future. In the meantime, only a very small part remembers that this is a historical place on Red Square. The history of Lobnoye Mesto includes many different events, which we will talk about later. Now let's forget about the 21st century generation. So, returning to an educated society, let us recall that Lobnoye Mesto is an architectural monument Ancient Rus', which is a raised platform surrounded by a stone fence.
Where the name comes from: version one
The etymology and history of Lobnoye Mesto causes a lot of controversy among historians and linguists. Disagreements and conflicts continue to this day. One of the existing versions of where the name came from is that the “frontal place” appeared due to the fact that it was here that foreheads were chopped/folded. But this is a wrong theory.
Many believe that it was here that public executions took place in the 14th-19th centuries. As history says, Lobnoye Place on Red Square was intended to publicize the decrees of the tsars and a variety of solemn public events. Executions, as a rule, took place on Bolotnaya Square. In 1682, for the first time a person was deprived of life at Lobnoye Mesto. This was the schismatic Nikita Pustosvyat. In 1685, a decree was issued that ordered executions to be carried out at Lobnoye Mesto from now on. But a new reprisal against people disliked by the authorities took place here only in 1698, this happened during the suppression of the Streltsy revolt.
Where does the name come from: version two
There are sources that claim that the phrase “place of forehead” is translated as Kranievo place (from Greek) or Golgotha (from Hebrew). Another option associates the name only with the location. The point is located at the very beginning, which in the Middle Ages was called the forehead. This is where the name of the place supposedly came from.
The beginning of the story
Urban Moscow legends say that Lobnoye Mesto appeared in the year of the expulsion of the Tatars from Moscow; the events took place in 1521. On the pages of chronicles it was first mentioned in 1549, when Ivan the Terrible gave a speech to the people calling for peace among the warring boyars. At that time he was only 20 years old. According to the Moscow drawing from the time of Godunov, it is clear that Lobnoye Mesto was a brick platform, which was rebuilt in stone in 1597-1598. In addition, from historical information it is also clear that the platform had a wooden lattice and a tent or canopy attached to poles.
Renovation of Lobnoye Mesto in the 18th century
The beginning of the century was marked by plans for a major remodel. The first restoration of Lobnoye Mesto in 1753 was carried out by Dmitry Vladimirovich Ukhtomsky, who was the main Moscow architect during the reign of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. In 1768 it was moved east of its original location. To the elevated circular platform a stone railing and entrance (iron grille and door) are added around the circumference. The path to the upper platform consisted of eleven steps.
Historical significance
The Execution Place had the greatest significance in history during the reign of Peter I. From ancient times until the October Revolution, solemn church processions with a large cross, icons and banners around the temple or from one temple to another made a stop next to it, from where the bishop overshadowed the common people a sign. Since 1550, this place takes on a different meaning and becomes royal. It is called the royal tribunal or department. Before the beginning of the reign of Peter I, important state decrees were announced to the people at Lobnoye Mesto. Sometimes ceremonial events took place. According to the Polish ambassadors, in 1671, the reigning tsar appeared to the people at Lobnoye Place once a year. If his heir had already reached 16 years of age by that time, then he revealed him to people. A variety of issues were covered at Lobnoye Mesto: the election of a new patriarch, the beginning or end of a war, and the like.
History of the 20th century
With Vladimir Ilyich Lenin coming to power, he develops a plan for monumental propaganda. In accordance with it, in 1919, a monument “Stepan Razin with the gang”, wooden and painted to resemble a folk toy, was erected on Execution Place. But weather conditions played a role, so the ensemble was moved to the indoor museum. In 1928, a new sculpture was installed on Execution Ground - “International Solidarity”, which was part of the complex design of Red Square for the holiday of November 7. Until 1940, the sculpture was installed in different variations every year for the holiday. IN
In 1945, for the June Victory Parade, a grandiose fountain was built at Lobnoye Mesto, on top of which there was a statue with greenery and fresh flowers. It looked impressive. Photos of Lobnoye Mesto from that time show all the architectural richness of the Soviet period.
What now? Today, Lobnoye Mesto is one of the constituent parts of the architectural ensemble of Red Square and is under state protection. Until recently, tourists followed an interesting and widespread tradition in many countries - throwing a coin inside the structure in order to return to this place again. However, now they throw them near the sign “Kilometer Zero of Russia.” You can get to the part of the city where Lobnoye Mesto is located by metro; the nearest stations to it are “Revolution Square”, “Teatralnaya”, “ Okhotny Ryad". Just use the map and plan your route wisely.
Why is it considered that when visiting Red Square you must see the Execution Ground? Story. That's the answer, simple and straightforward. Just think about it, these stones preserve more than four centuries of history and remember many different events: from brutal executions to solemn national events. If you ever stand near the Place of Execution, think about the fact that four hundred years ago people also stood here and listened to the king or his envoys, who announced such news that could radically change the lives of ordinary people. History must not be forgotten. As you know, those people who do not remember their past have no future.
Criminals were almost never executed at Lobnoye Mesto, but were usually executed “in the Swamp,” beyond the Moskva River, and before, on Kuchkovo Pole (Lubyanka). Stepan Razin was executed on Bolotnaya Square, or in the Swamp, as they said at that time. It was there that there was a place specially designed for demonstration executions. Emelyan Pugachev was also deprived of his life there. And the Place of Execution itself served as a kind of platform for the announcement of the most important royal decrees and state acts; the relics of revered saints were placed here for everyone to see.
Frontal means standing on the edge, that is, on a hill. And the purpose of the Execution Place was different - here the royal decrees were read out to Muscovites. The procession of the patriarch on a donkey traditionally began here - the main show Palm Sunday. The most popular tavern “Under the Guns” was located right there. This meant the cannons that once stood at the base of the Execution Ground. But no one ever fired one of them. The guns were rather an attraction for tourists. In particular, the Pole V. Nemoevsky boasted: “Near this place there is a large and long gun, in which a tall man can sit without bending, I experienced it myself.”
True, there are facts that in 1682 Nikita Pustosvyat (in the world - Nikita Konstantinovich Dobrynin) was beheaded at Lobnoye Place. He suffered for his faith - he was an Old Believer. And even earlier, in 1610, at this place they were going to take the life of Vasily Shuisky, who was overthrown from the throne. But at the last moment they changed their minds - they replaced the death penalty with tonsure as a monk.
But the French here actually staged demonstration executions. One of them was described by Leo Tolstoy in the novel “War and Peace”: “Pierre saw the crowd at the Execution Ground, stopped and got off the droshky. It was the execution of a French chef accused of espionage. The execution had just ended, and the executioner was untying a pitifully moaning fat man with red sideburns, blue stockings and a green camisole from the mare. Another criminal, thin and pale, stood right there. Both, judging by their faces, were French. With a frightened and painful look, similar to that of the thin Frenchman, Pierre pushed through the crowd.”
For a long time it was believed that Stepan Razin was executed at the Execution Ground. After the revolution, a wooden sculpture of Razin by S. Konenkov was even erected here. “Evening News” wrote: “On the Execution Ground in the center stands the figure of Stepan Razin; nearby, slightly forward, a Persian princess reclines; on the side there is a gang, Razin’s closest friends - Efimych Rulevoy, Mitrich Beard, captain Vaska Us, Petrukha Gubanov and Tatar Akhmet Ivanovich. But soon the monument was moved to the Proletarian Museum on Bolshaya Dmitrovka.