The Golden Gate Museum

Unique architectural monument that came to us since the times of Kievan Rus- "Golden Gate" - was erected in the early 11th century. The height of this defensive structure, built in the form of a tower with wide gates, reached about 10 meters.

The main gates of Kiev were erected at the time of one of the brightest rulers of Russia - Yaroslav the Wise. The main task was to defend the main entrance to the city from the Tatar-Mongols. Therefore, the gate was fortified, made with the use of stone, baked clay. Somewhat later, the Annunciation Church appeared over the defensive structure.

Specialists never came to a common opinion, why the gates, in the manufacture of which gold was not used, was given such a name. According to one version, they were nicknamed "golden" because of the copper upholstery, which gave a gleam when the rays of the sun fell on it. Another assumption - the name is associated with the Constantinople Golden Gate, through which Jesus entered Jerusalem.

Kiev's Golden Gate still could not resist the onslaught of the Tatars. But over time they were restored. In the 20th century, a pavilion-museum appeared in Kiev, dedicated to the history of this defensive structure. There, in the sarcophagus, is part of the gate itself, which they decided to save for descendants.

You can visit the museum any day except Monday from 10:00 to 18:00. The ticket office and the entrance are open until 16:30. In the winter, the museum is closed.