Gateway to the Former Foundling Home (Moscow)

 gate, sculpture, listed building / architectural heritage

These whitestone allegorical sculptural groups, "Mercy" and "Education" sit on the pylons of the entrance gate to the Foundling Hospital. The sculptor was Ivan Vitali. They were built in the years 1830-1835. These decorative compositions belong to the remarkable designs of late Classicism.

The first section of the Foundling Hospital was built from 1764 to 1770. It was founded by educator Ivan Betskoi. This linden tree lined alley leads to the orphanage.

The home was for children without families, illegimate, abandoned, orphaned. Unfortunately, it cannot be said that here prevailed the charities promoted by these sculptures. Rather, here prevailed "law and order", maintained by very tough punishment, descriptions of which can be found in many books by famous Russian writers.