Golden Gate (Kiev)

The Golden Gate of Kiev ( _ua. Золоті ворота, "Zoloti vorota", literally 'golden gate') is a historic gateway in the ancient city walls of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. The name "Zoloti Vorota" is also used for a nearby theatre and a station of the Kiev Metro.

This gateway was one of three constructed by Yaroslav the Wise, Prince of Kiev, in the mid-eleventh century. It was reputedly modelled on the Golden Gate of Constantinople, from which it took its name. In 1240 it was partially destroyed by Batu Khan's Golden Horde. It remained as a gate to the city (often used for ceremonies) through the eighteenth century, although it gradually fell into ruins.

In 1832 the ruins were excavated and an initial survey for their conservation was undertaken. Further works in the 1970s added an adjacent pavilion, housing a museum of the gate. In the museum one can learn about the history of construction of the Golden gate as well as ancient Kiev.

In 1982, the gate was completely reconstructed for the 1500th anniversary of Kiev, although there is no solid evidence as to what the original gates looked like. Some art historians called for this reconstruction to be demolished and for the ruins of the original gate to be exposed to public view.

In 1989 with the expansion of the Kiev Metro, a station Zoloti Vorota was opened nearby to serve the landmark. What makes it unique is that its architectural ensemble is very much based on the internal decorations of ancient Ruthenian churches.

thumb|left|_Golden Gates with a view of Kiev during Yarislav's reign (modern drawing)

In 1997, the monument to Yaroslav the Wise was unveiled near the west end face of the Golden Gate. It is an enlarged bronze copy of an experimental figuring by Kavaleridze.

See also

* Golden Gates in Vladimir, the only extant example of a gateway of medieval Rus’
* Serpent's Wall
* "Pictures at an Exhibition", a musical suite one part of which was inspired by Viktor Hartmann's project for another gate in Kiev

External links

* [http://www.kiev.info/culture/golden_gate.htm "Kiev Info] - History of the gate
* [http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/pages/G/O/GoldenGate.htm Golden Gate] at the " [http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com Encyclopedia of Ukraine] "
* [http://oldkyiv.org.ua/data/golden_gates.php?lang=ru oldkyiv.org.ua] - History of the gate