There is one special place in Minsk - the Yama memorial. Having got here for the first time, one can note the majesty and sadness of sculptural compositions. But at the same time, not knowing the history of Belarus, it is difficult to guess the significance of this object on the map of the country. This monument is dedicated to the innocent victims of the Holocaust. Where is the memorial located, and what is its true history?
March 2, 1942 in the history of Belarus
During the Second World War, Minsk was occupied by enemy troops from 1941 to 1944. On the third day of the occupation, all Jews living in the city were ordered to surrender all available money and valuables. The official date for the founding of the Jewish ghetto in Minsk is July 19, 1941. The main purpose of its creation was initially the systematic destruction of all identified representatives of this nation. At the end of summer, at least 100,000 prisoners of Jewish nationality lived in the ghetto in Minsk. March 2, 1942 is the day that has gone down in the history of Belarus forever. It was then that at least 5 thousand prisoners were destroyed in the Jewish ghetto. The bodies of many victims were simply thrown into a deep ravine. It was in its place that the Minsk Pit memorial was created.
Create Obelisk
The cruelty that flourished in the
Minsk ghetto could not be forgotten after the liberation of the city from enemy invaders. In 1947, an obelisk was erected at the burial site of the executed prisoners. The inscription on it reads: "A blessed memory for eternal times to the five thousand Jews who died at the hands of the fierce enemies of mankind - the fascist-German villains on March 2, 1942." What is noteworthy, the text is embossed on a granite obelisk not only in Russian, but also in Yiddish. This is the first monument to the victims of the Holocaust in the USSR, on which Yiddish was officially allowed. The author of the lines is the poet H. Maltinsky. What is noteworthy, despite the permission received for the design of the memorial, he was subsequently exiled to the Gulag camp. The stone carver who worked on the obelisk, Morduch Sprizhen, suffered for his creation. But, despite all this, the memorial "Pit" exists today. A memorial obelisk is one of the most important elements of sculptural composition.
Reconstruction of the "Pit". Sculptural group "The Last Way"
In 2000, the memorial dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust in Minsk was reconstructed. For ethical reasons, all work was carried out manually, without the use of construction equipment and machinery. Archaeological excavations at the memorial site were also not carried out. The memorial "Pit" in Minsk was supplemented by a sculptural composition. Along the stairs leading to the paved center of the ravine, there is a string of prisoners descending to certain death. The figures look exhausted and as depersonalized as possible. They are more like mournful spirits than people. The monument is officially called "The Last Way", its authors are the architect L. Levin, sculptors A. Finsky, E. Polok. It is worth noting that initially it was planned to make the figures of the prisoners more expressive. According to the first version of the project, among the doomed were to be: a pregnant woman, a musician, as well as representatives of other creative and socially useful professions. However, the composition, consisting of sad and asexual human figures, was finally approved. It is worth noting that in this style, the sculptural group looks impressive.
Where is the Yama memorial in Minsk? Photo of the monument
The sculptural composition is located on Melnikaite Street. Near the memorial, the Alley of the Righteous is planted, dedicated to the peaceful Belarusians who sympathized and helped Jews in wartime. Getting to this memorable place is easy by public transport. The nearest metro station is Frunzenskaya. You can also get to the Yubileinaya Hotel ground transportation stop by bus: 1, 1N, 69, 73, 119 and 163. The Yama memorial is available for visiting around the clock, admission is free.
Opinion of residents and reviews of tourists
Many people who visited the memorial commemorating the victims of the Holocaust in Minsk note that this place is notable for its special energy. It is not easy to be here, and impressionable people should not, in principle. And yet, despite its mournful history, this place is a cult place for many residents of Belarus. Jews and representatives of other nationalities regularly come here to honor the mercilessly destroyed prisoners of the Minsk ghetto. In memory days, rallies and other social events are held here. What is noteworthy, despite its importance for urban history, the "Pit" is rarely included in tourist guides. But at the same time, the interest of visitors to the monument is increasing every year. It’s not difficult to find the “Pit” memorial in Minsk, the address of this mournful attraction: Melnikaite Street. Several scandalous stories are connected with the monument to the victims of the Holocaust. From time to time, the Pit suffers from the attacks of vandals, which causes a serious public outcry.