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| Khodynka Field | |
|---|---|
| Name | Khodynka Field |
| Location | Moscow, Russia |
Khodynka Field is a historic open ground in Moscow notable for nineteenth-century festivals, a deadly 1896 stampede, twentieth-century aviation, and twenty-first-century redevelopment. The site has intersected with events involving imperial Nicholas II, revolutionary figures such as Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky, aviation pioneers including Igor Sikorsky and Alexander Mozhaysky, and modern institutions like FC Spartak Moscow and the VEB Arena. The field's layered uses connect to landmarks such as Moscow Kremlin, Red Square, Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow State University, and transportation hubs like Belorussky Rail Terminal and Sheremetyevo International Airport.
The field is situated in the northwestern part of Moscow Oblast within the Meshchansky District proximity to Leningradsky Prospekt, Khoroshevskoye Highway, and the Moskva River, near arterial routes leading to Tverskaya Street, Sretenka, Arbat Street, and Kutuzovsky Prospekt. Adjacent urban nodes include Begovoy District, Presnensky District, Tverskoy District, and transport interchanges connecting to Moscow Metro stations such as Aeroport (Moscow Metro), Dinamo (Moscow Metro), and Polezhayevskaya (Moscow Metro). The topography once comprised open steppe-like terrain influenced by tributaries of the Klyazma River basin and historic routes to Zvenigorod and Smolensk.
Originally serving as a royal hunting ground and military parade space in the era of the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, the area hosted choirs, fairs, and fairs associated with merchants from Kitai-gorod, Gostiny Dvor, and marketplaces tied to Posad communities. Imperial events involved courtiers from Winter Palace, members of the Russian Imperial Guard, and cultural figures like Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Alexander Pushkin-era commemorations. Nineteenth-century urbanization saw involvement from industrialists such as the Morozov family, engineers linked to Karl Bauman-era projects, and transport planners influenced by proposals from officials of the Moscow Governorate and the Imperial Russian Railways.
The 1896 disaster occurred during festivities following the coronation of Nicholas II and empress Alexandra Feodorovna, transforming a coronation celebration into a catastrophe involving relief distribution overseen by officials from the Ministry of the Interior (Russian Empire), the Moscow City Duma, and coronation committees with ties to aristocrats from House of Romanov and organizers including members of the Imperial Court. Reports involved journalists from outlets such as Novoye Vremya, correspondents associated with the Russian Telegraph Agency, and commentary by publicists linked to Alexander III-era politics. The stampede prompted inquiries by prosecutors from the Russian Empire legal system, debates in the State Duma (Russian Empire), and responses from philanthropists like Pavel Tretyakov and medical staff from hospitals including Botkin Hospital.
In the Soviet period the field was repurposed for aviation demonstrations, industrial exhibitions, and use by the Soviet Air Forces with aircraft from design bureaus such as Sukhoi, Mikoyan-Gurevich (MiG), Tupolev, and Ilyushin. Pioneering flights involved aviators inspired by Nikolai Zhukovsky and mechanics linked to TsAGI (Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute), with designers including Andrei Tupolev and Sergey Ilyushin contributing aircraft to displays. The site hosted units from the Red Army Air Force and training connected to academies like the Gagarin Air Force Academy while nearby industrial enterprises included plants associated with Zavod No. 22 and organizations such as Ministry of Aviation Industry (USSR). The field's airfield function intersected with events commemorated by Soviet institutions including the All-Union Exhibition of Arts and Industries.
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, redevelopment proposals involved developers like Ingrad Group, investors including entities tied to Sistema and Rostec, and municipal authorities of Moscow City Government and the Mayor of Moscow office. The area was transformed with projects incorporating venues for FC Spartak Moscow, the Otkritie Arena project, the Megasport Arena, and complexes hosting events by federations such as the Russian Football Union, the Russian Basketball Federation, and promoters of concerts for artists represented by agencies like Promomaster International. International sports events included matches under aegis of UEFA and exhibitions involving clubs like FC Dynamo Moscow and CSKA Moscow.
Memorialization involves monuments sponsored by civic groups like the Union of Composers of Russia, commemorative plaques installed by the Moscow Heritage Commission, and ceremonies attended by officials from institutions such as the Russian Orthodox Church and cultural figures including curators from the Tretyakov Gallery and directors from the Moscow Art Theatre. The tragedy of 1896 is remembered alongside exhibits assembled by historians from State Historical Museum, researchers at Russian Academy of Sciences, and documentary filmmakers associated with Mosfilm and broadcasters such as Channel One Russia. Public discussions about the field's legacy engage NGOs like Memorial (society), academic departments at Lomonosov Moscow State University, and urbanists linked to publications such as Strelka Institute and the Russian Union of Architects.
Category:History of Moscow Category:Squares in Moscow