Zoloti Vorota continued as the principal gate to Kyiv through the 18th Century, and was favored for ceremonial purposes, even though it gradually fell into disrepair.

In the mid-eighteenth century, following engineer Debosquet's design, the remnants of the ancient Zoloti Vorota were buried underground and replaced anew.

The year 1832 saw the second birth of Zoloti Vorota, when archeologists discovered the ruins of the old fortification. They were restored and fenced with metal iron. With time, however, the ancient masonry, exposed to wind and precipitation, further deteriorated.

Further improvments in the 1970s added an adjacent pavillion (housing a museum of the Gates history), which would protect it from further destruction as well as recreate the ancient appearance of the monument. The ancient structures (including nineteenth-century brickwork and joins of metal) have been fully preserved and can be viewed from all sides.

The "Opening" was held in May of 1982 on the event of Kiev's 1500th anniversary. The museums exposition presents items related to the history of old Kiev, including objects of everyday life, weapons, and other exhibited items that were discovered during the course of archeological excavations in the area of Zoloti Vorota.

It was discovered that the floor and walls of the old Annunciation Church were covered with frescos and mosaics, so the restored church was also decorated with mosaics and frescos. This church was put up in honor of the Virgin as the gratitude for the victory over the Pechenegs.

The name Zoloti Vorota is used for a nearby stop on the Kyiv metro.

He founded churches and monasteries and issued statutes regulating the legal position of the Christian Church and the rights of the clergy. With the help of Byzantine architects and craftsmen, Yaroslav fortified and beautified Kiev along Byzantine lines. He built the majestic Cathedral of St. Sophia and the famous Golden Gate (Zoloti Vorota) of the Kievan fortress.* The legend says that before the final battle with powerful Pechenegs, Yaroslav Mudry prayed and begged the Virgin to help him to defeat the enemy. He promised to build the church dedicated to the Mother of God in case of success. He did not forget his promise and ordered the Golden Gate topped with the gilded-domed Annunciation Church.

Trade with the East and West played an important role in Kievan Rus in the 11th century, and Yaroslav maintained diplomatic relations with the European states. *(Yaroslav I. (2006). Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved May 20, 2006, from Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service)

The monument shows Yaroslav The Wise, holding a model of Saint Sofia Cathedral. It was unveiled in 1997

Sofiis'ka Ploscha

Among Kyiv's best-known public monuments is the statue of Bohdan Khmel'nyts'ky. (Bohdan Zynovii Mykhailovych Khmel'nyts'ky commonly transliterated as Khmelnytsky, and known in Polish as Bogdan Zenobi Chmielnicki)

He was a Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Noble of Polish or Ruthenian origin, and leader of the Zaporozhian Cossack Hetmanate, Hetman of Ukraine.

Bohdan Khmel'nyts'ky was noted for his revolt against Poland (1648 – 1654) and the Treaty of Pereyaslavl' which eventually led to the annexation of Ukraine by the Russian Empire.

(The five Hryvnia Ukrainian banknotes depicte Bohdan Khmel'nyts'ky)

Vichnoyi Slavy Park (Eternal Glory Park), Arsenal'na Metro Station

Throughout a number of wars, vast numbers of soldiers have died without their remains being identified. Thus a practice has developed for nations to establish a symbolic "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" that represents the war memorial for those that have never been identified. Kyiv is no exception.

The Eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier fallen in WWII, is one of Kiev's most recognized landmarks. In 1957 the Park of "Eternal Glory" was created (see more in our Parks section).

Here, through day and night, burns the Eternal fire on the Tomb of the Unknown soldier, at the base of a 27-meters (88.6 feet) granite obelisk . There are 34 heroes, victims for the Native land, buried at this monument.

During the creation of the park the remains of these heroes, with observance of all military honors, were solemnly re-buried on its main avenue.

People come here on Victory Day and on other days to put flowers and pay their respects to the memory of the soldiers who forced their way through in the battle of the Dnipro and freed Kiev, and the soldiers who had victoriously finished the war in Berlin.

Navodnyts'kyi Park, opposite Naberezhne Shose

This prominent riverside monument to the founders of Kyiv – Kyi, Shchek, Khoriv and their sister Lybid was unveiled in 1982 at the foot of Pechersky plateau on the bank of the Dnipro.

It was created by Vasily Borodai along with architect N. Feschenko.

The sculpture is a boat with the three brothers standing at the stern with two holding spears and Kyi holding a large bow.

Lybid stands tall and strong at the bow, with the wind gracefully lifting her cloak. (Unveiled in 1982).

Mykhailivska ploscha

This monument is also located next to St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral on Tryokhsvyatytel's'ka Street, 6. It is nearly always covered with flowers. The composition is of granite stone with its recess made in the form of a cross and bronze effigy of "Mother-Ukraine with child".

Mykhailivska ploscha

Grand Princess Olha ruled Kyivan Rus from 945 through 964 as a Kyivan Rus’ princess and Orthodox saint, wife of Prince Ihor and mother of Sviatoslav I Ihorovych. She was a wise and energetic ruler that arranged the previously separated Rus lands into a well-organized and prosperous country.

In the 1920s this monument was stolen by the Communists and for a long time was considered to be lost. But during the reconstruction of the Mykhailivska Square in 1995 it was discovered under the road and installed once again in its original spot.

Solomens'ka Ploscha

Another notable Kyiv monument is the monument to the courage, faithfulness and heroism of the mothers, whose sons and daughters fought the Nazis during World War II.

This monument is a little bit off the beaten path for most tourists, but worth seeing.

It's grandeur and fulness of feeling is striking.

Kontraktova Ploscha (Nearest metro stop: Kontraktova Ploscha, blue line)

This monument can be found on Kontraktova Ploscha (Kontraktova Square). It is devoted to the poet Grygory Skovoroda and was made by the sculptor I. Kavaleridze in 1976.

In 1973 a street in Kyiv was named after Grygory Skovoroda. He was a famous Ukrainian philosopher, poet, enlightener, and -humanitarian. Skovoroda studied at Kyiv-Mohila Academy between 1738 and 1742, and 1744 through 1750. The Academy is located on Skovorody Street, 2