Golden Gate (Historical appearance). Golden Gate in Vladimir: history, features interesting facts
It is known that during the construction of the city of Vladimir, St. Blessed Grand Duke Andrei imitated Kiev in many ways. A similar imitation of the Kiev Golden Gate, arranged by Yaroslav, was the construction of the Golden Gate, which was created by Andrei Bogolyubsky in 1164, at least the church built on the Golden Gate was consecrated this year, simultaneously with him .
According to the legend of the description of the life of Andrei Bogolyubsky, this is what a miracle happened during the construction of these gates. When the Grand Duke created the stone Golden Gates and built a church on them, then a lot of people began to converge there to admire the beauty of the building. Since the construction site was still damp, the gate fell from its own weight, crushing twelve people. God-loving Prince Andrei, blaming himself for the death of these people, fell down with tears to the miraculous image of the Mother of God, and when the gates were raised, all those crushed turned out to be alive and unharmed, through prayers Holy Mother of God.
In ancient times, the Golden Gates were part of the fortification built by Andrei Bogolyubsky around the entire city in the form of high earthen ramparts, on which strong walls rose. The ramparts adjoined on both sides to the very building of the Golden Gate and travel to the city was possible only through these gates. Thanks to these shafts, the Golden Gate in ancient times had the appearance of an irregular quadrangle, cut in the middle of the building by a huge arch with a semicircular vault (as the top of the gate, which stands out by several arshins, from later extensions, is currently represented), on top of which is placed the temple of the position of the robe of the Most Holy Theotokos . This temple (which has not survived to this day in its original form) was probably built on the model of the Annunciation Church, which was on the Kiev Golden Gates of Yaroslav, in imitation of which the Vladimir Golden Gates were erected, or was similar to the Trinity Church built on the gates to Kiev -Pechersk Lavra, Prince Nikolai Svyatosha of Chernigov in 1106, which, judging by the research of Professor P. A. Lashkarev, had some similarities with churches: Bogolyubovskaya and, in general, with monuments of church architecture of the Suzdal Principality of the XII century. Several centuries passed over this ancient building of the Golden Gate and the punishing hand of the all-destroying time kept this monument of Russian architecture in all its integrity for a long time, and only in the last century the Golden Gate underwent a significant external change.
The change in the appearance of the Golden Gate began due to the damage to the ramparts that surrounded the entire city and adjoined the Golden Gate. Our ancestors were very careful about protecting the earthen ramparts and walls that protected the city from enemy invasion. A careless attitude to the integrity of the ramparts began in the last century, and in 1729 corporal Koptev reported to the Vladimir provincial office that “on foot and horseback riders walk along the earthen ramparts of the city ... and from this considerable harm is done to the ramparts, namely, in many places the shaft turned cut, and among other things "against the Spaso-Zlatovratsky monastery (now the parish church) and on both sides of the Golden Gate, through an earthen rampart, pedestrian roads." Then and finally the ramparts were dug out from the walls of the Golden Gate for the construction of driveways; on both sides formed a square. This digging of ramparts changed the former appearance of the Golden Gate and took away from them completely the character that they had, and then caused new changes in the facade. Since the Golden Gates were built without a foundation and the side walls were supported by earthen ramparts that adjoined them tightly, then with the removal of these ramparts, cracks appeared on the walls of the Golden Gates. Empress Catherine II, who was informed about this gradual destruction of the Golden Gate, strictly forbade the destruction of this wonderful ancient building and ordered to make new extensions to the ancient walls. Instead of buttresses, four round low towers are attached to the four corners of the gate, of which a chapel is built in one. Over time, the top of the Golden Gate has also changed. The Rizpolozhenskaya church, which lowered Vladimir during the Tatar invasion, stood in a dilapidated state until 1687. This year the church was renewed and consecrated in 1691. But then, in 1778, during a severe fire in Vladimir, the roof and interior decorations and all church utensils burned down and the church again remained in complete desolation until the beginning of this century. In 1810, the temple was finally rebuilt and consecrated under the Vladimir governor I. M. Dolgorukov.
The figure of the current church above the Golden Gate has nothing to do with the buildings of temples of the XII century.
But, despite these modifications, the Golden Gate still represents a wonderful monument. ancient architecture. With careful study, one can easily distinguish the ancient walls of the Golden Gate from later additions. The ancient walls were built of white stone in the manner that was common in stone buildings of the 12th century, i.e. built of rubble and cobblestone; the walls on both sides are lined with white stones and filled with lime mortar; meanwhile, later buildings are exclusively brick.
It is highly desirable that this wonderful monument of antiquity finally attract the attention of archaeologists and lovers of antiquity and be restored in its original form, just as the St. Demetrius Cathedral and the Nativity Church in the Nativity Monastery were restored. It is difficult to restore the ruins of the Kyiv Yaroslavl Golden Gates, on the contrary, the Vladimir Golden Gates can be restored easily. The walls of the Golden Gate are almost all intact, mainly their inner side. The semi-circular vault of the huge arch of the gate, made entirely of white stone, supported by six white stone arcs, is especially well preserved. At the fourth of them, counting from the east side, another ancient arch, also of white stone, survived, rising from the base of the building to half of the main arch of the gate; to the pilasters from which this arch was led out, heavy door leafs pretended to be hung on huge hooks laid in the masonry and survived to this day; near the pilasters, recesses in the walls of the gate for locking the gate were also preserved, arranged so that on one side the lock was inserted into the wall, and on the other side it was brought in and lowered into another recess, for which given to the last particular well-known form. In all arcs of the main arch of the gate, there are recesses inside the walls at the level with the surface of the lower arch.
These recesses served as a nest for the beams of the knurler arranged above this lower arch, and former place, which the Vladimirites went out to "fight from the city" with the besieging enemies. The beams of the knurler were laid loosely so that it was possible to launch steles, pour boiling water, or throw stones at the enemies besieging the city.
A stone staircase led to this platform inside the south wall, ending in a door that is still visible on the inside of the south wall. Here on this platform defenders hometown stood breastfeeding against enemies for the honor and independence of the fatherland. The hordes of Batyev approached here on February 2, 1238, in this year of disasters for the whole Russian land, and here near the Golden Gate that terrible bloody battle took place, in which all the valiant defenders of the city fell, and among the first princes Vsevolod and Mstislav, and then died freedom and honor of the Russian land.
Many other historical memories are connected with the Vladimir Golden Gate. Here, in front of the Golden Gates, Vladimirians swore allegiance to their princes, taking an oath and kissing the cross. So, under the year 1177, the chronicle says: “Volodimers (after the burial of the great Prince Mikhail, brother Andrei Bogolyubsky), remembering God and kissing the cross to Grand Duke George, going out in front of the Golden Gate, kissing the cross to Prince Vsevolod, brother Mikhailov and on his children , having planted him on his father and on his days so in Vladimir ”(S.R.L. vol. 1, 161 p.).
Here, at the Golden Gate, solemn meetings took place, arranged by Vladimirians for their princes, when they ascended the throne, or when they returned after victorious battles. So, according to the chroniclers: here St. The Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky, who came to Vladimir from the Horde, was elected to the Grand Dukes by the Khan, amazed by his valor.
Metropolitan Kirill "all the abbots and citizens," says the chronicler, went out to meet the noble prince "from the Golden Gate and sat down and on the table of his father Yaroslav, the joy is great in the city of Vladimir." (Laurentian Chronicle, page 202).
On great holidays in ancient times it was customary to perform procession from the Cathedral of the Assumption to the Golden Gates, and along the entire length from the cathedral to the Golden Gates ropes were stretched in two rows, on which veils embroidered with gold and pearls developed, so that the people passed between them, as if between tapestries (Ipatiev Chronicle, page 127) .
In addition to the Golden Gates in Vladimir, according to the chronicler, there were Silver, Copper, Irinins and Volga. But there are no traces left of them to this day.
The city of Vladimir was first mentioned in chronicles in 1108, it was founded by Prince Vladimir Monomakh. By the middle of the XII century, it became the capital of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality and the most influential settlement of North-Eastern Rus' - even Moscow was once just one of its "suburbs".
Today Vladimir is one of the largest tourist centers in the European part of the country, the city is included in the route of the Golden Ring of Russia. We offer you to get acquainted with its main attractions.
Panorama of the Bogolyubovsky Monastery. Photo: Natalia Volkova / photo bank "Lori"
VLADIMIRO-SUZDAL MUSEUM-RESERVE
Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve introduces monuments ancient Russian architecture located in Vladimir, Suzdal, Gus-Khrustalny, Bogolyubovo, Kideksha and Muromtsevo. Among the most valuable objects are monuments of white-stone architecture of the 12th–13th centuries: the Assumption Cathedral, the Golden Gates, the Dmitrievsky Cathedral, the Suzdal Kremlin and others.
The branches of the museum-reserve in Vladimir have collected unique exhibits. In the Historical Museum there is a church riza sewn from a velvet fur coat of Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, in the Trinity Church - the creations of masters of glass, artistic embroidery and lacquer miniatures, and in the museum complex "Chambers" - paintings by Ivan Aivazovsky and Alexei Savrasov.
CATHEDRAL OF THE DORMITION OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
The first stone building of the Assumption Cathedral was built in 1160 by the decision of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. In 1185, the cathedral was damaged by fire - then it was significantly rebuilt by the masters of Prince Vsevolod the Big Nest. In the 15th century, the temple building became a model for the construction of the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.
A large composition of The Last Judgment of 1408 by Andrey Rublev and Daniil Cherny has been preserved in the Assumption Cathedral. Here are the most valuable frescoes - "The Bosom of Abraham", fragments of the "Descent of the Holy Spirit", "Baptism", "Transfiguration" and other famous images.
GOLDEN GATE
The Golden Gate is the rarest example of an ancient Russian defensive structure. The gate was built as the main battle and passage building of the city fortress, which was erected in Vladimir by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky in the middle of the 12th century. The Golden Gate was a powerful tower with a 14-meter arch. Above the vault there was a combat platform, and in the upper part of the tower there was a miniature white stone Rizopolozhensky temple.
Despite the fires and enemy raids, the appearance of the Golden Gate was unchanged until early XIX century. Then the building was seriously rebuilt, and the gate church was re-consecrated. Today, the historical building houses a branch of the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve. Here is a diorama depicting the assault on Vladimir by the troops of Batu Khan, the gallery of "Heroes of Vladimir" and other expositions.
Cathedral of Demetrius of Thessalonica
Demetrius Cathedral in the princely court was erected in 1194 by Vsevolod the Big Nest. The temple was consecrated in honor of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica. Russian architects worked on the construction of the cathedral, as well as Greek, German and Italian masters. Dmitrievsky Cathedral is famous for its white stone carvings: the walls of the temple are decorated with about 600 reliefs depicting saints, animals and plants.
Today the Cathedral of Demetrius of Thessalonica is a branch of the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve. The main exhibit of the museum is the oldest building of the temple with interior decoration. Fragments of frescoes of the 12th century have been preserved here, including the Last Judgment composition.
VLADIMIR REGIONAL ACADEMIC DRAMA THEATER
The theater in Vladimir appeared in 1848, when the actor Ivan Lavrov convinced the local governor that every city needed a theater. By the 30s of the 20th century, the capital's newspapers were already writing about Vladimir productions - the theater's performances were a great success.
On the Vladimir stage as a comedian debuted a graduate of the Gorky Theater School Evgeny Evstigneev - the future famous actor theater and cinema. In 1971 creative team moved to the building that still houses the theater today. new scene opened with the play "Andrei Bogolyubsky". In the year of its 150th anniversary, the theater was awarded the title of "Academic".
More cultural objects in the cities of the Golden Ring -
Many tourists are interested in the origin of the name of the attraction. Researchers adhere to the version that the gates were named so because the Church of the Annunciation was built over them. The dome of the church was covered with gold, hence the corresponding definition appeared. By the way, the construction of the temple was not small: the height reached 12 meters, and the width was almost 7. However, this is not the only assumption. Some historians refer to Constantinople: there were also Golden Gates there, and by analogy, Yaroslav the Wise gave the name to the Kyiv building.
Reliable defense and the main route to Kyiv
The Golden Gate performed not only protective function. Also through them it was possible to get into the city, as they say, through the "front door". In this regard, the view at the gate was appropriate: an impressive battle tower, consisting of two tiers, solid brickwork, an arched facade and niches. The gate held back many enemy attacks, but in 1240 the horde of Batu Khan destroyed them.
Further fate and primary reconstruction of the monument
After the Mongol invasion, the gates were no longer used, and in the 18th century they had to be completely covered with earth, as there was a threat of their complete disappearance due to the war with the Turks. On the site of the former Golden Gate, the architect Debosket began to build new ones. In the 19th century, the monument aroused interest as a historical exhibit, and the authorities issued permission to start excavating it. In 1832, the remains of the walls reappeared almost out of oblivion, and Vincent Beretti immediately set about restoring them. For this purpose, the walls were reinforced with screeds and brickwork was made.
The golden gates shine again over Kyiv
1970 was the year of the revival of the legendary building. At that time, the place around the gate was put in order, and the best architects of Kyiv got down to business. Specialists studied all the historical information and drawings, prepared sketches. By the 1500th anniversary of Kyiv, the Golden Gate appeared before the residents and guests of the capital in its original form - with an iron lifting grate and folding doors.
Elements of the ancient gate are located in the inner part of the pavilion. There are also other museum exhibits- tools with which reconstruction and construction work was carried out. The museum hosts tours, exhibitions, and excellent acoustics allows for concerts and thematic presentations.
The exit from the Zoloti Vorota metro station will take you directly to the monument.
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Golden Gate in , are an outstanding monument of ancient Russian architecture, annually attracting increased attention from the guests of the city. They were built in 1164, during the reign of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky of Vladimir, in addition to defensive purposes, they played the role of a triumphal building, symbolizing the greatness and strength of princely power. It was through them that the princely squads entered the city, returning from the battlefields, where they were noisily met by the people. The white-stone gates are made using the technique of half-stone masonry, which is widespread in Vladimir-Suzdal architecture. Together with three more gates to the city that have not survived to this day, the Golden Gates formed a single complex that served as an important link in the defensive system of Vladimir.
The Golden Gate is a massive three-tiered structure, along the edges of which there are low powerful towers with characteristic medieval battlements. Above the second tier, in the middle of which the image of Jesus Christ is clearly visible, there used to be the Rizopolozhenskaya Gate Church, which hospitably welcomed everyone who came to Vladimir in peace. Today, in its place is an exposition of the military history museum. An impressive diorama draws attention under the vaults of the chapel, where the February events of 1238 are presented, when the Mongol-Tatar hordes of Batu Khan captured Vladimir, despite the heroic resistance of its defenders. The diorama is equipped with musical and light stereo effects, which makes it look as realistic and spectacular as possible.
For more than 50 years, the Golden Gates have been under the jurisdiction of the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve and serve as an integral part of it. Here visitors can see weapons and military equipment. different years, including the combat bolts of a throwing machine used for long-range shots, arrowheads and spears of the 12th-13th centuries, military chain mail of Russian knights, a captured Polish crossbow, flintlock guns from the reign of Catherine II, soldiers' blunderbusses of the Great Patriotic War 1812, captured Turkish weapons and many other historical exhibits.
For a long time, the Golden Gate has been covered with many legends and myths, many of which researchers still cannot either confirm or refute. In any case, this building is considered one of the symbols that can often be seen on advertising brochures dedicated to the city or on souvenirs that are willingly snapped up by tourists.
Golden Gate - the personification of greatness Ancient Rus'. In the great Russian city of Vladimir, there are not many buildings left from ancient times. One of the preserved relics is the Golden Gate. They are named so not by chance. Built in 1164 by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, sheets of gilded copper were nailed to the gates, which shone brightly in the sun.
According to another version, the gates in Vladimir competed in grandeur and beauty with the famous Golden Kyiv Gates. Now the Golden Gate is rightfully considered the rarest example of Russian military architecture. This architectural monument, which survived despite the devastation, wars and conflagrations, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. His story is tragic in its own way, but it causes sincere admiration.
Almost immediately after the construction, Vladimir was declared by Andrei Bogolyubsky the capital of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality. Almost immediately, the city began to be fortified with bulk earthen ramparts, between which a high tower with gates for passage was built in the western part. There is a legend associated with the church that was founded above the gate. It says that when the construction was completed, and the workers dismantled the scaffolding, the arches of the gate suddenly collapsed and fell asleep 12 people. Prince Andrei prayed to the heavenly Intercessor, while everyone was sure of the death of the builders. An icon of the Mother of God was brought to the site of the collapse, and hymns were sung. And then they dug up people, alive and unharmed. In memory of this miraculous rescue Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky ordered to create a church over the gates in honor of the Position of the Robe of the Mother of God in Blachernae. It was consecrated in 1164.
The Golden Gate had a defensive function in those days. They were built using the then common technique of half-stone masonry. Inside the gate was a stone staircase that started inside the city. At the top it ended with a small door. On one of its jambs, there are drawings in the form of crosses, most likely made by warriors who went out to the battlefield outside the door. In the wall opposite from the door there is a brick bookmark, indicating that there was a second door. However, it is quite difficult to understand its purpose, because if it existed, then the course behind it would lead just into the thickness of the shaft. However, do not underestimate the importance of the gate. The fact that there were bloody battles on the stairs and the attacking and defensive forces clashed is even evidenced by the shape of the bell of the white stone walls. It is quite wide, and now it has been leveled with bricks. A wooden staircase led to the upper combat platform and to the gate church located there.
In addition to the defensive function, the Golden Gate also had the function of the main front entrance to the capital. Squads entered under the 14-meter arch, horse riders passed. The majestic view of the Golden Gate was given by huge oak doors hanging on forged hinges, as well as a massive travel tower. Also, the Golden Gate performed a decorative function. It was a majestic and monumental symbol of the greatness of Vladimir Rus', princely power and wealth.
The builders cared not only about the beauty and grandeur of the Golden Gate. Bulk shafts were given a pyramidal shape, expanding towards the bottom, so that the grip with the gate was maximum. And in the sloping walls of the gate adjacent to the ramparts, there were deep niches with a semicircular top. There are 5 such niches on the northern facade, they are located along the entire height of the shaft, but on the southern facade, the niches break off due to the stairs. The complex design more than once or twice justified itself in battles.
But the gate church of the Deposition of the Robe of the Mother of God had a really unique and unusual form. Its original structure has not survived to our times, however, it can be assumed that, following the Assumption Cathedral, the church also had a pyramidal hipped roof, covered with sheets of gilded copper. The church had a standard form, was four-pillared, had external and internal shoulder blades on the walls, three arched portals, and three altar apses. A modest belt at half the height of the walls was used as decor.
In front of the Golden Gate, over the moat, there was a wooden bridge. It is believed that it was permanent, since no traces of a lifting mechanism were found on the gate itself. Another feature of the Golden Gates in Vladimir is similar to the gates in Kyiv. There was no lifting grate in the gate arch. Naturally, it is impossible to speak exactly about these details, one can only guess from the surviving ruins and drawings that have survived to this day.
The turning point in the history of the Golden Gate was 1238, when the Tatar troops, having devastated many cities, approached the walls of Vladimir. Just then, wanting to save the unique relics, the townspeople removed the gilded gates. On this moment they are considered a lost masterpiece. There are two versions, according to which the valves either lie at the bottom of the Klyazma, or are buried under the foundation or walled up in the walls of the city. The Tatars attacked the city furiously, throwing firewood into the ditches, smashing the wooden walls and bombarding the opponents with arrows. The Golden Gate and the gate church were badly damaged, they were stripped of everything more or less valuable.
In the 15th century, the Golden Gate and the gate church underwent the first major overhaul, started by Moscow in order to renew the great artistic monuments former capital. It played not only a charitable role, but also a political one. Moscow actively strengthened its positions by allocating money for construction, charity and overhauls. The second repair was organized in the 17th century, after a series of military events. The estimate in 1641 was made by the famous Moscow architect Antipa Konstantinov, but the work was carried out only at the end of the century. The golden years of the Gates have passed, sunk into oblivion. The main function - the defense of the capital city, ceased to exist. The Golden Gates were abolished as such, leaving them for the sake of history. Vegetable gardens grew on the ramparts around, the oak shutters were removed. And after the incident with Empress Catherine II, whose carriage got stuck in the gate, the ditches were completely filled up for better travel. They removed the side supports of the gate - ancient bulk shafts, and it was necessary to create new props so as not to destroy the monument. Buttresses were built of white stone at the corners of the Golden Gate.
The next test for the Golden Gate was a huge fire in 1778, which claimed the lives of many citizens and caused the death of many churches in Vladimir. Only half a century later, thanks to the efforts of the governor Ivan Mikhailovich Dolgoruky, the gates and the church above them were again restored. At the same time, a project was implemented, according to which the gate church was rebuilt. It was completely dismantled, after which the top of the gate was shifted, mixing brick and stones. Only after that the church was re-raised, however, greatly changing it compared to the previous version. The buttresses were covered with rounded towers, between which the living quarters on the north and a staircase on the south side huddled.
Capital repairs literally haunted the ancient building. Another alteration was conceived in 1867. And when it was necessary to carry out water supply in Vladimir, it was decided to rebuild the Golden Gate into a water tower.
Despite all the trials that befell the Golden Gate, they remained in the life of the Vladimir people. They were not broken by fires and attacks of enemies. They withstood the harsh years of alterations and rebuilding of the city. They were not broken even in the middle of the 20th century, when their importance dropped so much that people settled inside. However, time put everything in its place. Today in the Golden Gates is open historical exposition which any visitor can see. the main role The exposition features a diorama showing the Tatars taking the city by storm. The Golden Gates of Vladimir - a reminder to the living of greatness ancient capital, about an unbroken spirit, about mighty walls that honestly served for the good of the city.
Address: Vladimir, st. Bolshaya Moskovskaya, 1 A
