Why are Kyiv's Golden Gates called 'Golden'? History and secrets revealed

Why are the gates called the Golden Gates?

"The Golden Gates were the ceremonial entrance to the Upper Town, built in the 11th century. There are several versions of why they were called that. The most likely is that Kyiv looked up to Constantinople and wanted to be like it. Therefore, the name may be an analogy to the gates of Constantinople, just as Saint Sophia was named by analogy to the Constantinople cathedral," Nataliia Pinchuk said.

According to a second theory, there was once a toll of one gold coin charged to enter the city.

"But this is more likely a folklore version. The third theory is that above the gate there was a gilded church, which is why they are called the Golden Gates," the museum researcher added.

It is worth noting that this gate church is mentioned in the chronicle "Sermon on Law and Grace" by Metropolitan Hilarion. The gate church was supposed to provide "heavenly protection for the city," but it also served as a regular church where visitors to the city could pray.

The Golden Gates, 1870s (illustration: engraved by Charles Laplante after Achille-Louis-Joseph Sirouy)

It remains unknown what the gates actually looked like. Researchers believe the main structure was 10.5 meters wide, 13.36 meters high, and 17.65 meters long.

Until 1982, the Golden Gates were ruins. Ahead of Kyiv Day celebrations, city authorities carried out a "reconstruction" that included building a pavilion in Old Rus' style and restoring parts of the rampart with wooden fortifications. A museum was placed inside the building.

The Golden Gates look "golden" under the evening illumination (photo: Kiyanka)

Earlier, we wrote about where the historical center of Kyiv was actually located and which landmarks from that era can still be seen today.