Monday, February 1, 2010

The Golden Gate of Kyiv


The Golden Gate of Kyiv is a historic gateway in the ancient city walls of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. This gateway was one of three constructed by Yaroslav the Wise, Prince of Kyiv, in 1037 and it’s initial name was Southern Gate. Soon the golden-dome Blahovist church which was established in the close proximity to the gate was built and consecrated. Since that time the gate was known as the Golden Gate of Kyiv. 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 1982, the gate was completely reconstructed for the 1500th anniversary of Kyiv, 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 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 famous Ukrainian sculptor Ivan Kavaleridze.

Learn more about Golden Gate at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Gate,_Kiev

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