The Golden Gate of Vladimir (), constructed between 1158 and 1164, is the only (albeit partially) preserved ancient Russian

city gate A city gate is a gate which is, or was, set within a city wall. It is a type of fortified gateway. Uses City gates were traditionally built to provide a point of controlled access to and departure from a walled city for people, vehicles, goods ...

. A museum inside focuses on the history of the Mongol invasion of Russia in the 13th century. The gate survived the Mongol destruction of Vladimir in 1237. By the late 18th century, however, the structure had so deteriorated that

Catherine the Great Catherine II. (born Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst; 2 May 172917 November 1796), most commonly known as Catherine the Great, was the reigning empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796. She came to power after overthrowing her husband, Peter I ...

was afraid to pass through the arch for fear of its tumbling down. In 1779, she ordered detailed measurements and drawings of the monument to be executed. In 1795, after many discussions, the vaults and barbican church were demolished. The site became a

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...

World Heritage World Heritage Sites are landmarks and areas with legal protection under an treaty, international treaty administered by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, or scientific significance. The sites are judged to contain "cultural and natural ...

site in 1992.

References

External links

Tourism portal of the Vladimir region, Russia
* {{coord, 56, 07, 36, N, 40, 23, 49, E, region:RU_type:landmark_source:kolossus-ruwiki, display=title Buildings and structures completed in the 12th century Buildings and structures completed in 1795 Towers in Russia Gates in Russia Buildings and structures in Vladimir, Russia Vladimir-Suzdal Museum Reserve Cultural heritage monuments of federal significance in Vladimir Oblast