The place of execution is part of the complex

Numerous historical monuments on Red Square in Moscow invariably attract the attention of tourists. This is the magnificent Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed, and the Kremlin wall with its stately majestic towers. Against this background, one of the monuments of ancient Russian history and culture, the Exact place, which is a low stone structure in the form of cylindrical disks, enclosed by a parapet, seems completely unimpressive.

The etymology of its name has not been finally clarified, there are still several versions. According to one of them, for example, it is believed that the name "The place of execution" is due to the fact that here they "cut down their foreheads". Another version says that the Vasilievsky Descent begins here - in the Middle Ages in Russia the "forehead" was called the beginning of a steep descent to the river.

For the first time the place of execution on Red Square is mentioned in 1599 in the "Piskarevsky chronicler" and since then it is often found in various documents. As is known, Boris Godunov, having married the kingdom at the end of the 16th century, actively took up the accomplishment of Moscow. New buildings were built, old structures and old protective structures were restored. At this time on the Red Square unknown masters and installed the Execution Ground. Originally it was a brick dais, mounted on poles, with a wooden grate and a canopy.

Contrary to popular belief, criminals on the Execution Ground were not executed. The executions usually took place outside Moscow-river, "on the Swamp," or - on the Kuchkov field (Lubyanka). It was there that there was a place that was specially designed for demonstrative executions. Only in the most exceptional cases were criminals punished in Red Square. Today, it is not known exactly where exactly the scaffold was installed in this case, but it is very unlikely to execute people on the Execution Ground.

For almost a hundred years, the Execution Ground served as a tribune, from where the royal decrees were announced. There are instructions that the people of the kings were turned from here. On the Execution Ground, the relics of revered saints were exhibited for general access. Here were the relics of Metropolitan Philip, who were brought to be reburied in Moscow in 1652. Before the Revolution, alongside the Execution Ground, the Cross processions stopped, and the Bishop rose to the dais and blessed the gathered. Hence the patriarch "marched on the ass" on Palm Sunday. The Polish ambassadors in their notes (1671) say that at this place twice a year the tsar showed the people the heir, until he reached the age of 16.

It is important to note that in those years in Moscow only the most important temples and palaces of noble persons were built of stone. The fact that the Place of Execution was originally stone, indicates its special significance. It was meant for the king's stay, and could not be dishonored by execution, which could be compared with the desecration of the shrine. True, there are facts that say that in 1682, the Old Believer Nikita Pustosvyat, who suffered for the faith, was beheaded here on the Execution Ground. And even earlier, in 1605, Vasily Shuisky was brought here to be executed. However, at the last moment, False Dmitriy replaced him with a reference to the death penalty .

Today this place is part of the Red Square, and tourists throw coins on it to come back here again.