The Golden Gates

Together with the Cathedral of the Assumption, a defensive line of ramparts towers and gates was erected, including the Golden Gates, built in 1164 Despite frequent alterations, these gates are still a rare example of Russian military architecture in the 12th century, and they remain the main en trance into the old town.

Even today the height of the gates is impressive, and in the 12th cen tury they were even higher Over the centuries the level of the soil has risen and the gates have become ever more deeply embedded In order to facilitate defence at such a height, a flat arch was built between the two abutments, its wooden plat form being reached by an inside stairway Defence of the gates thus took place at two levels—from the tower above the gates and from the defence platfrom above the flat arch.

The apertures in the walls, through which the defenders came out onto the platform, can still be seen The iron hinges on which were hung the enormous oak gates, and the brackets for the bar have survived to our day Experts believe that the gates themselves were covered with sheets of copper decorated with gold—hence the name Golden Gates.

All that remains of the 12th century fortification are the two main white stone walls which provide an illustration of old building techniques. The blocks of dressed white stone are perfectly fitted, arid the gap between the outer and inner walls of the arch is filled with rubble bonded together with a lime solution. In order to lighten the structure, the vaulting was built of porous tufa.

Above the gates there once stood a white stone, golden-domed church dedicated to the Deposition of the Robe. At the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries, the earthen ramparts adjoining the gates were levelled and round towers concealing counter forts were erected at the corners of the gates. At the same time, the present brick church was erected over the gates.

Today, the Golden Gates are a museum. The entrance is in the southern wall and opens onto a steep stone stairway. This was the stairway used by the soldiers to gain access to the lower defence level via an opening in the wall; from here they showered the enemy with arrows and spears, hurled stones and poured boiling water and molten tar down upon the attackers. Inscriptions and crosses scratched on the jamb of the door leading to the defence platform date back to the 12th and beginning of the 13th centuries. A stairway of over sixty steps leads to the church over the gates, which houses an exhibition of military history. The focal point of this exhibition is a diorama and sound track which recreate the battle against the Mongol-Tartar invaders: a fierce struggle rages on the walls of the town, lit up by flames. The exhibition also contains the arrows for cross-bows, scimitars, battle-axes, flintlocks and swords - a complete arsenal of weapons from various periods.

The military history of the Vladimir area is rich in events and changes. On display in the museum is a statue of Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and a portrait of the great Russian general of the 18th century, Alexander Suvorov, painted during his lifetime. There is also a collection of weapons, military equipment and military uniforms from the beginning of the 19th century, and a special exhibition devot ed to the six volunteer corps formed in Vladimir in 1812 to fight Napoleon. The people of Vladimir remained true to the heroic traditions of their past during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. The 12th-century defence platform has been converted into an unusual exhibition room dedicated to the lives and heroic achievements of those who have defended their native land. This gallery of famous sons of Vladimir is completed by a portrait of the pilot and cosmonaut Valery Kubasov, who took part in the joint Soviet-American space flight Soyuz-Apollo (1975) and was a member of the international crew aboard the spaceship Soyuz-36 (1980).

Centuries have passed and Vladimir has changed beyond recognition. New houses and streets have appeared around the Golden Gates, but the ancient monuments continue to testify to the courage and inflexible resolution of the defenders of old Russia.

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