Last updated on December 19, 2023.

The Golden Gate was built in 1017 by Yaroslav the Wise as one of three main entrances in the Kyiv city walls. It was originally called the Southern Gate, then the Great Gate of Kyiv. 

Golden Gate in Kyiv, Ukraine
Golden Gate
Golden Gate in Kyiv, Ukraine
Golden Gate

Partially destroyed in 1240 by the Golden Horde, the ruins were excavated in 1832 and the gate was completely reconstructed by the Soviets in 1982. Nobody knows exactly how it looked so architects used their imaginations based on historic descriptions.

Golden Gate in Kyiv, Ukraine
Golden Gate

On the west side of the gate is a statue of Yaroslav the Wise. It was erected in 1997.

Yaroslav the Wise statue in Kyiv, Ukraine
Yaroslav the Wise statue

Inside the gate are the ruins of the original gate and a small museum.

Golden Gate in Kyiv, Ukraine
Ruins of the original gate
Golden Gate in Kyiv, Ukraine
Door

 

Church

It was believed that the original gate was topped by a church. A small non-functioning church was constructed with the rest of the gate.

Golden Gate church in Kyiv, Ukraine
Church
Golden Gate church in Kyiv, Ukraine
Church
Golden Gate church in Kyiv, Ukraine
Looking up at the dome of the church

 

Views

There are also some nice views at the top. You can see Golden Gate Square below and the Renaissance Hotel, which is one of the more interesting buildings on the square.

View from the Golden Gate in Kyiv, Ukraine
View from the top
View of Golden Gate Square in Kyiv, Ukraine
Looking down on Golden Gate Square
View of Renaissance Hotel from the Golden Gate in Kyiv, Ukraine
View of Renaissance Hotel

 

Renaissance Hotel

The aforementioned Renaissance Hotel is on the northeast corner of the square. It was run by Marriott but has been reported as permanently closed.

Renaissance Hotel in Kyiv, Ukraine
Renaissance Hotel

 

Baron Castle

Just to the west of the Golden Gate is the Baron Castle, with its signature gargoyles hanging off the building. It was built in 1898 by a Polish man named Podgorski. He lived in the house for only three years before he died. The home was then converted into a cinema and later an apartment building.

Baron Castle in Kyiv, Ukraine
Baron Castle
Baron Castle in Kyiv, Ukraine
Baron Castle

 

Karaite Kenesa

A few more steps west is the Karaite Kenesa, a former synagogue built between 1898 and 1902 in the Moorish style. Since Soviet times, it has functioned as a school, puppet theatre, and cinema. Since 1981 it has been the Ukrainian House of Actors. The building originally had dome on top but it was destroyed by the Nazis during World War II. The Karaite Kenesa is one of the only synagogues that was not returned to the Karaite Jewish community after Ukrainian independence.

Karaite Kenesa in Kyiv, Ukraine
Karaite Kenesa

 

Security Service

A short walk north of the Golden Gate, towards St. Sophia Cathedral, is the building that houses the Security Service and Foreign Intelligence Service of the Ukraine. The Security Service is a successor of the Soviet KGB. The building was constructed between 1913 and 1928. During World War II, the Nazis used the building as the Gestapo headquarters and a prison for members of the Kyiv underground movement.

Security and Foreign Intelligence Services of Ukraine in Kyiv, Ukraine
Security and Foreign Intelligence Services of Ukraine

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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