Khodynka
Encyclopedia
Khodynka Field is a large open space in the north-west of Moscow
, at the beginning of the present day Leningradsky Prospect. It takes its name from the small Khodynka River which used to cross the neighbourhood. Major constructions on the field included the 19th century military barracks and the Botkin Hospital, the largest in Moscow at the time of its inauguration in 1910.
Khodynka was the site of the first Russian powered flight, and became a regular airfield, in use through the late 1980s. The Russian National Air & Space Museum is at Khodynka.
Prior to becoming an airfield, Khodynka had been used to celebrate state occasions. In June 1883 the coronation of Alexander III
. The event was co-ordinated by Mikhail Lentovsky and included four theatres, a circus, puppet shows choirs and orchestras. The central point was an allegorical procession entitled Spring is Beautiful. In May 1896, the site was used for the ill-fated coronation
of Tsar Nicholas II. A stampede
caused by a rumoured shortage in souvenir coronation mugs resulted in more than 1000 (some sources say 1500) people being trampled to death (see Khodynka Tragedy
).
on May 18, 1896 during the festivities of the crowning of Nicholas II
.
In the area of one town square buffooneries, theaters, 150 buffet
s for distribution of gifts, and 20 pubs were built for the celebrations. Nearby to the celebration square was a field which had a ravine and many gullies. On the evening of May 17, people who had heard rumours of rich coronation gifts from the tsar
(the gift was actually a bread roll
, a piece of sausage
, gingerbread
and a mug
) began to gather in anticipation.
At about 5 o'clock in the morning of the coronation day, several thousand people were already gathered on the field. A police force of 1800 men failed to maintain civil order, and in a catastrophic crush, and resulting panic to flee the scene, 1389 people were trampled to death and roughly 1300 were otherwise injured.
The negligence of the imperial authorities caused public indignation in Russia, and a number of minor officials were dismissed. However, the new Tsar did not cancel the coronation ball
scheduled for later that day. Many mystic writers in Russia say that deed predestined the death of Nicholas in Soviet Russia.
there, becoming the only finisher of 11 pilots who started a 453-mile race from St.Petersburg to Moscow. Starting in the 1930s, the airfield played annual host to Aviation Day festivities, held on the third weekend in August.
A. S. Yakovlev worked as a mechanic at the airfield for a time in the 1920s, and examined the wrecks of various aircraft present in the ravine near the field during work on his earliest powered aircraft
designs.http://www.ctrl-c.liu.se/misc/ram/air-1.html
The airfield is surrounded by a variety of restricted-access facilities, including the main headquarters of Aeroflot
, design bureaus for Ilyushin
, Mikoyan Gurevich (MiG), Sukhoi
and Yakovlev
, the Aircraft Production Organization No. 30 (MAPO), and GRU
headquarters ("the Aquarium"). The National Aviation and Space Museum (aka the National Aeronautics Museum or the Museum of the Air Forces) was on the airfield proper.
Flights into or out of the airfield apparently continued to at least 1989 http://ma.hit.bg/su27history/history2.html, but the runways existed into the 2000s (see the Google maps link for an excellent satellite image of one of the runways apparently being torn up).
Current plans for the site include a modern air and space museum, expected to be the largest in the world upon completion.http://www.royfc.com/acft_news_old_nov2.html
The airfield is close to several Moscow Metro
stations including Dinamo and Aeroport
on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line
, and Oktyabrskoe Pole
on the Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya Line
, which is named after Khodynka field.
hoped to have the largest temple in Russia to be erected there, but this did not come to pass due to vocal opposition by the Russian Orthodox Church
http://www.kommersant.com/page.asp?idr=530&id=626116.
Khodynka Arena, an ice sport palace, was opened on the Khodynka Field in 2006.
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, at the beginning of the present day Leningradsky Prospect. It takes its name from the small Khodynka River which used to cross the neighbourhood. Major constructions on the field included the 19th century military barracks and the Botkin Hospital, the largest in Moscow at the time of its inauguration in 1910.
Khodynka was the site of the first Russian powered flight, and became a regular airfield, in use through the late 1980s. The Russian National Air & Space Museum is at Khodynka.
Prior to becoming an airfield, Khodynka had been used to celebrate state occasions. In June 1883 the coronation of Alexander III
Alexander III of Russia
Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov , historically remembered as Alexander III or Alexander the Peacemaker reigned as Emperor of Russia from until his death on .-Disposition:...
. The event was co-ordinated by Mikhail Lentovsky and included four theatres, a circus, puppet shows choirs and orchestras. The central point was an allegorical procession entitled Spring is Beautiful. In May 1896, the site was used for the ill-fated coronation
Coronation
A coronation is a ceremony marking the formal investiture of a monarch and/or their consort with regal power, usually involving the placement of a crown upon their head and the presentation of other items of regalia...
of Tsar Nicholas II. A stampede
Stampede
A stampede is an act of mass impulse among herd animals or a crowd of people in which the herd collectively begins running with no clear direction or purpose....
caused by a rumoured shortage in souvenir coronation mugs resulted in more than 1000 (some sources say 1500) people being trampled to death (see Khodynka Tragedy
Khodynka Tragedy
The Khodynka Tragedy was a mass panic that occurred on , on Khodynka Field in Moscow during the festivities following the coronation of the last Russian emperor Nicholas II, which resulted in the deaths of 1,389 people.- The events :...
).
Khodynka Tragedy
The field is best known as the site of a tragic accidentAccident
An accident or mishap is an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance, often with lack of intention or necessity. It implies a generally negative outcome which may have been avoided or prevented had circumstances leading up to the accident been recognized, and acted upon, prior to its...
on May 18, 1896 during the festivities of the crowning of Nicholas II
Nicholas II of Russia
Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, Grand Prince of Finland, and titular King of Poland. His official short title was Nicholas II, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias and he is known as Saint Nicholas the Passion-Bearer by the Russian Orthodox Church.Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until...
.
In the area of one town square buffooneries, theaters, 150 buffet
Buffet
A buffet is a system of serving meals in which food is placed in a public area where the diners generally serve themselves. Buffets are offered at various places including hotels and many social events...
s for distribution of gifts, and 20 pubs were built for the celebrations. Nearby to the celebration square was a field which had a ravine and many gullies. On the evening of May 17, people who had heard rumours of rich coronation gifts from the tsar
Tsar
Tsar is a title used to designate certain European Slavic monarchs or supreme rulers. As a system of government in the Tsardom of Russia and Russian Empire, it is known as Tsarist autocracy, or Tsarism...
(the gift was actually a bread roll
Bread roll
A bread roll is a piece of bread, usually small and round and is commonly considered a side dish. Bread rolls are often used in the same way as sandwiches are—cut transversely, with fillings placed between the two halves.-Various forms:...
, a piece of sausage
Sausage
A sausage is a food usually made from ground meat , mixed with salt, herbs, and other spices, although vegetarian sausages are available. The word sausage is derived from Old French saussiche, from the Latin word salsus, meaning salted.Typically, a sausage is formed in a casing traditionally made...
, gingerbread
Gingerbread
Gingerbread is a term used to describe a variety of sweet food products, which can range from a soft, moist loaf cake to something close to a ginger biscuit. What they have in common are the predominant flavors of ginger and a tendency to use honey or molasses rather than just sugar...
and a mug
Mug
A mug is a sturdily built type of cup often used for drinking hot beverages, such as coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Mugs, by definition, have handles and often hold a larger amount of fluid than other types of cup. Usually a mug holds approximately 12 fluid ounces of liquid; double a tea cup...
) began to gather in anticipation.
At about 5 o'clock in the morning of the coronation day, several thousand people were already gathered on the field. A police force of 1800 men failed to maintain civil order, and in a catastrophic crush, and resulting panic to flee the scene, 1389 people were trampled to death and roughly 1300 were otherwise injured.
The negligence of the imperial authorities caused public indignation in Russia, and a number of minor officials were dismissed. However, the new Tsar did not cancel the coronation ball
Ball
A ball is a round, usually spherical but sometimes ovoid, object with various uses. It is used in ball games, where the play of the game follows the state of the ball as it is hit, kicked or thrown by players. Balls can also be used for simpler activities, such as catch, marbles and juggling...
scheduled for later that day. Many mystic writers in Russia say that deed predestined the death of Nicholas in Soviet Russia.
Khodynka Airfield
The first flight in Russia took place at Khodynka, carried out in 1910 by R. Rossinsky. In 1911, pilot Alexander Vasiliev landed his Bleriot XIBlériot XI
The Blériot XI is the aircraft in which, on 25 July 1909, Louis Blériot made the first flight across the English Channel made in a heavier-than-air aircraft . This achievement is one of the most famous accomplishments of the early years of aviation, and not only won Blériot a lasting place in...
there, becoming the only finisher of 11 pilots who started a 453-mile race from St.Petersburg to Moscow. Starting in the 1930s, the airfield played annual host to Aviation Day festivities, held on the third weekend in August.
A. S. Yakovlev worked as a mechanic at the airfield for a time in the 1920s, and examined the wrecks of various aircraft present in the ravine near the field during work on his earliest powered aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
designs.http://www.ctrl-c.liu.se/misc/ram/air-1.html
The airfield is surrounded by a variety of restricted-access facilities, including the main headquarters of Aeroflot
Aeroflot
OJSC AeroflotRussian Airlines , commonly known as Aeroflot , is the flag carrier and largest airline of the Russian Federation, based on passengers carried per year...
, design bureaus for Ilyushin
Ilyushin
Open Joint Stock Company «Ilyushin Aviation Complex» , operating as Ilyushin or Ilyushin Design Bureau, is a Russian design bureau and aircraft manufacturer, founded by Sergey Vladimirovich Ilyushin. Ilyushin was established under the Soviet Union. Its operations began on January 13, 1933, by...
, Mikoyan Gurevich (MiG), Sukhoi
Sukhoi
Sukhoi Company is a major Russian aircraft manufacturer, headquartered in Begovoy District, Northern Administrative Okrug, Moscow, famous for its fighters...
and Yakovlev
Yakovlev
The Yak Aircraft Corporation is a Russian aircraft designer and manufacturer...
, the Aircraft Production Organization No. 30 (MAPO), and GRU
GRU
GRU or Glavnoye Razvedyvatel'noye Upravleniye is the foreign military intelligence directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation...
headquarters ("the Aquarium"). The National Aviation and Space Museum (aka the National Aeronautics Museum or the Museum of the Air Forces) was on the airfield proper.
Flights into or out of the airfield apparently continued to at least 1989 http://ma.hit.bg/su27history/history2.html, but the runways existed into the 2000s (see the Google maps link for an excellent satellite image of one of the runways apparently being torn up).
Current plans for the site include a modern air and space museum, expected to be the largest in the world upon completion.http://www.royfc.com/acft_news_old_nov2.html
The airfield is close to several Moscow Metro
Moscow Metro
The Moscow Metro is a rapid transit system serving Moscow and the neighbouring town of Krasnogorsk. Opened in 1935 with one line and 13 stations, it was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union. As of 2011, the Moscow Metro has 182 stations and its route length is . The system is...
stations including Dinamo and Aeroport
Aeroport (Metro)
Aeroport is a Moscow Metro station on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line. Its name, literally meaning airport, owes to the nearby Khodynka Aerodrome, Moscow's first airport which has by now ceased operation. Presently there is a bus terminal which has regular service to Moscow's principal airports...
on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line
Zamoskvoretskaya Line
Zamoskvoretskaya Line , formerly Gorkovsko-Zamoskvoretskaya , is a line of the Moscow Metro. Opened in 1938, chronologically it became the third line. There are twenty stations on the Zamoskvoretskaya line, and it spans , roughly crossing Moscow in a north-south direction. A normal trip along the...
, and Oktyabrskoe Pole
Oktyabrskoe Pole
Oktyabrskoye Pole is a station on the Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya Line of the Moscow Metro. The station was opened on December 30, 1972 as part of the Krasnopresnenskiy radius, and for exactly three years it was the original terminus of the Krasnopresnenskaya Line...
on the Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya Line
Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya Line
The Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya is the busiest line of the Moscow Metro...
, which is named after Khodynka field.
Modern developments
After the fall of the Soviet Union, the International Society for Krishna ConsciousnessInternational Society for Krishna Consciousness
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness , known colloquially as the Hare Krishna movement, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava religious organization. It was founded in 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada...
hoped to have the largest temple in Russia to be erected there, but this did not come to pass due to vocal opposition by the Russian Orthodox Church
Russian Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church or, alternatively, the Moscow Patriarchate The ROC is often said to be the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world; including all the autocephalous churches under its umbrella, its adherents number over 150 million worldwide—about half of the 300 million...
http://www.kommersant.com/page.asp?idr=530&id=626116.
Khodynka Arena, an ice sport palace, was opened on the Khodynka Field in 2006.
External links
- A 1995 review of the museum at Khodynka
- Photos of the Khodynka collection
- More photos of the collection
- Google maps view of the airfield; note construction on south & west areas of field and apparent destruction of north-south runway underway. The stadium in the upper-right is Dinamo stadium.
- Current state of the abandoned aircraft museum, 2009 (Video)