Kievtown.net
Kiev travel guide
Kievtown.net Kiev travel guide |
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SIGHTS: Golden Gate Monument to Bogdan Khmelnitsky
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Address: Vladimirskaya (Vladimir) Street, 40a How to get: go to metro station Golden Gate
Golden Gate in Kiev is the monument of fortified building of 12 century, one of few, which remained till our times. The construction amazed with its greatness and inaccessibility: Church of annunciation settled down over a power combat tower and it was very symbolical for a Christian city as the Gate served as the main entrance to Kiev. Golden Gate was constructed in 1164, after the building of defensive rampart of New city was finished. It’s difficult to imagine, that size of Yaroslav the Wise great city was once restricted by the present centre of Kiev. Defensive ramparts passed through Lvov square, where Lvov Gate was standing, along Yaroslav's shaft street to Golden Gate, down to present Independence square (Maydan Nezalezhnosti), where Lyadsky (Lyashsky) Gate located, further upwards to Mihaylovsky square. Common extent of the ramparts was 3,5 km. The architectural style of the Gate, constructed by Vladimir, differs absolutely from the similar constructions, erected by european architects. European structures, serving as serf towers, usually carried out only the protecting function. Golden Gate in Kiev, more likely, can be compared with Triumphal Golden Gate of Constantinople. Kiev Golden Gate was simultaneously a serf travel tower and a triumphal arch that leads to main "aristocratic street" of the city. The high arch opening, the gate fettered by gilt copper and the head of the over gate temple created an appropriate solemn atmosphere. Golden Gate also didn’t let down its founders in unlucky days of Tatar siege in 1238. The conquerors considered the city gate too unapproachable and decided to break the city wall in another place. In due course the construction decayed. According to travelers’ notes of 16-17 centuries and drawings made in 1651, it becomes clear that at that time Golden Gate already was dilapidated, but didn’t lost its status of Kiev main entrance up to the middle of 18 century. Just near Golden Gate exulting Kievers met Bogdan Khmelnitskiy, coming back with a victory after the fight under Yellow waters, in 1648. And through Golden Gate Russian embassy solemnly entered the city after the association of Ukraine with Russia in 1654.
Between the end of 17th and beginning of 18th centuries, reconstruction of fortified constructions began in Kiev, and earthen bastions were erected in front of the Gate. In the middle of 18 century the monument ruins were covered with ground and the new one were constructed near, with the same name. Only in 1832 the ancient Golden Gate became visually accessible again. Kondraty Lohvitskiy, using his own money and money received from charity, conducted an excavation that returned Kievers their historical monument. Lohvitskiy was an archeologist-amateur, and his amateurishness irritated professional archeologists, but that deed of Lohvitskiy for history of Kiev can’t be overestimated. As a result of excavation the passage was cleared away and also the rest of the ground rampart on each side of the Gate were removed. Under administration of architect Vikentiy Ivanovich Beretti the ruins were competently and reliably strengthened. Already in the middle of 20 century Golden Gate’s condition caused serious fears of scientists. In 1970 there was an idea to cover ancient rests of the monument by a pavilion, which will protect them from atmosphere influence and also recreate the initial shape of Golden Gate. Thus, the ruins would be caned, and, in the same time, Kievers and city visitors will be given an opportunity to see the history monument in the condition, it existed long time before. Golden Gate can project allowed to save the ancient laying completely, including elements, that were added during repair and restoration in 17 and in 19 centuries. A Pavilion-reconstruction of Golden Gate was opened in May 1982, in commemoration of the 1500th anniversary of Kiev. Now in the rampart sections there are an exposition hall and a ladder, leading up to the point, where it is possible to admire by modern Kiev.
| Historical reference: 1164 – Golden Gate were constructed Mid. of 18 cent. – Golden Gate remains were covered with ground 1831 - in the result of K. Lohvitskiy excavation, the ruins of Golden Gate were found 1970 – beginning Golden Gate restoration and pavilion-reconstruction building 1982 – solemn opening of the pavilion-reconstruction of Golden Gate
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