Museum of the History of Corporal Punishment Torture Museum: reality is scarier than the legends of vampires

What can you not see in Moscow, on the Arbat. But it is here, not far from the provocative erotic museum, there is no less interesting museum of the history of corporal punishment. What is this place, and what exhibits can be seen in this exposition?

A horror house or a real story?

The owner of an unusual exhibition - Valery Pereverzev - quite a nice man, happy to answer any questions and a lot of smiling. When asked why he started collecting objects related to torture, he does not give an exhaustive answer. Interest has always been, Valery says. First, handcuffs appeared, then a little later - whips, tongs and pads. When the exhibits became too much, they were exhibited at the All-Russia Exhibition Center, and only after that there was a museum of the history of corporal punishment on the Arbat. Valery still personally conducts excursions for visitors and is ready to talk for hours about his hobby. At the same time he asks visitors to view the collection not as a pleasure attraction, but as a collection of artifacts of the past. Of course, most of the exhibits are reconstruction, but the main purpose of creating the museum was to acquaint the public with the customs of punishments and tortures in different epochs.

A unique museum of torture

Expositions on corporal punishment and medieval executions are in many countries of the world. Moreover, the Museum of the History of Corporal Punishment in Moscow is not the only one in Russia and, it can be said, quite modest by world standards. However, its creator pretends to be unique. The thing is that most of the expositions devoted to this subject are a tangle of real historical facts and mystical superstitions. In Europe, a similar museum will be told not only about how they executed and tortured in the Middle Ages, but also tired by legends about witches and vampires. But this is not the worst option, many expositions of corporal punishment look like "houses of horrors" from amusement parks. In them, in addition to mock - ups of instruments of torture, mannequins of monsters are included, scary music sounds. The Moscow Museum of the History of Corporal Punishment is a completely different place, according to the creator, this is the case when real historical facts are worse than fictitious stories. From the organizers of the exhibition in this case it is required only to tell and show everything that once was in reality. And let all these tools remain in the windows as a memory of the past, not returning to the real world.

Museum of the history of corporal punishment: photo and description of exhibits

The Moscow exposition on Arbat under the name Torture Museum was opened in 2011. Originally, the museum occupied 4 rooms, but gradually it is being expanded and refitted, not closing at the same time for guests. In subdued red light, visitors can see various tools and accessories for torture. These are impressive designs like an electric chair, a chair with nails, a guillotine. Quite a lot in the collection of Valery Pereverzev and compact instruments of torture - "Spanish boots", shackles, whips, devices for branding and much more. The exhibition also includes costumes of executioners of different peoples and times, as well as portraits of the most famous professionals of this craft.

Where is the Torture Museum?

It is not difficult to find a museum of the history of corporal punishment on the Arbat. It is located in the heart of historical Moscow. Exact address: Old Arbat, 25/36. Earlier in this room was the restaurant Alt Berlin. Today, above the steps leading to the basement, is the sign Torture Museum, offering guests a cultural program, not associated with eating. The Museum of the History of Corporal Punishment is a unique place in the capital, worth a visit at least once. Separately it is worth noting that the exposition is popular not only among citizens of our country, but also among many foreigners. And this is an undeniable success.

Information for visitors

The Museum of the History of Corporal Punishment works daily from 12.00 to 22.00. The exposition is open to guests over 18 years of age. A woman's ticket costs 300 rubles, and a man's ticket costs 400 rubles. Why such discrimination? This is a little joke of the owner of the museum. He believes that women better perceive new information and have more developed curiosity. Discount is provided and because of his personal respect for the beautiful ladies. However, if a man wants to buy himself a woman's ticket - the museum staff will not mind, but Valery would like to personally meet a man who is ready to change the floor for the sake of saving a hundred rubles. At the entrance visitors also expect face-control, representatives of the organization may refuse to sell the entrance ticket without explaining the reasons. Excursion service is free of charge - on weekends the group meets every two hours. It will not be boring to walk around the museum without a specialist. Near each exhibit there is a sign with its detailed description.