Monument to Prince Vladimir in Kiev symbolizes the baptism of Rus

The monument to Prince Vladimir in Kiev is located on the hill of the same name and is the oldest and most famous. Prior to the opening of the monument in 1853, the Mikhailovsky Monastery was located here, where, according to an ancient tradition, the inhabitants of Kiev converted to Christianity. In those days, the terrain was called "Mikhailovskaya Gorka".

Prerequisites for the appearance of the monument

From the school bench, we all know that the baptism of Rus was in 988. It is with Mikhailovskaya Hill that historians associate this event. Therefore, initially, to pay tribute to the past, they wanted to build a small chapel. But in 1843, the famous sculptor Demut-Malinovsky offered Nikolai II to immortalize the saint and put a monument to Prince Vladimir in Kiev. But the church felt that it would be inappropriate to put a fierce fighter against the worship of pagan gods, the figure of the idol. However, the Russian Tsar nevertheless managed to reach an agreement with the Kiev Metropolitan and proposed an alternative solution to the problem. Simultaneously with the erection of the monument begins the laying of the Vladimir Cathedral.

Description of the object

Ten years after the proposal was made, a monument to Prince Vladimir in Kiev was opened. His solemn presentation took place in the autumn day of 1853. The authors were the architect P. Klodt, who worked directly above the statue, the sculptor Demuth-Malinovsky, who executed the bas-reliefs, and A. Ton, who embodied the pedestal in the stone for the statue.

The monument to Prince Vladimir in Kiev is made of bronze. But it turned out to be so powerful that the pedestal of brick for strengthening was surrounded with cast-iron plates. They even wanted to paint, but it looked somewhat depressing.

The holy prince himself is depicted in a majestic pose in a raincoat swaying in the wind. In one hand he holds a cross, the other holds a prince's cap. The total height of the monument to Prince Vladimir in Kiev is 20.4 meters. Of these, as much as 16 meters is a pedestal, erected to hold a prominent figure of the prince in height of 4.4 meters.

The symbol of ancient Kiev

Annually during the Christian holidays near the monument to Prince Vladimir serve as a prayer. At the ceremony there are always not only clergymen, not indifferent citizens, but also the city administration.

In 2013, for the 160th anniversary of the opening of the monument, the clergy from a number of dioceses not only of Ukraine, but also of Russia came to Kiev. Along with this event, it was decided to illuminate the Nikolayev Chain Bridge, which leads to the monument.

His story is also unique. Despite the fact that the bridge was blown up twice during the Soviet era, when atheism dominated, neither the monument to Vladimir nor the road leading to it through the river suffered.

The time of outrage

During the reign of the Bolsheviks, many church objects and shrines were destroyed. But they did not dare touch the monument to Prince Vladimir. They say that absolutely unbelievers in God people were allegedly afraid of retribution, which warns the ancient legend. So, it is believed that a powerful pedestal is installed here for a reason. It serves to hold a rough underground key. Therefore, if the monument is blown up, like many others, hundreds of cubic meters of water will spill over the whole district.

To appreciate all the power that the monument to Prince Vladimir in Kiev possesses, photos may not be enough. But to enjoy the greatness and beauty of creation is quite possible. The prince is depicted with his head uncovered, because, according to the authors' intention, he performs the sacrament of baptism. But despite the holy fundamental, the monument continues to cause discontent in some categories of people.

The disgraceful act of our time

It is not the first time a holy place has been subjected to a hooligan attack. In Kiev, a monument to Prince Vladimir was doused with paint, and a criminal case was opened on this fact. The first to discover the perfect act was the people taking part in standing on the Dnieper, when they came to bow to the sculpture.

A terrible fact is connected with the fact that in Ukraine a vote has been started for the most outstanding Ukrainian from the past. In the first place with a large margin comes Prince Vladimir. After him settled S. Bandera. Apparently, therefore, local Ukrainian nationalists considered this an insult.

And although a monument to Prince Vladimir was desecrated in Kiev in revenge for circumventing the Nazi accomplice, many are even happy to see this turn of events. But they forget that at the time of the prince, even such a concept as Ukraine did not exist at all.

A few facts about the monument to St. Vladimir

The monument to the prince is one of two that survived in Ukraine after the outrage of the revolutionary movement that seized the city in 1917. Another monument, which was also lucky, belongs to B. Khmelnitsky.

Not only did the Bolsheviks believe in the legend of a potted spring walled under a pedestal. Fascists during the occupation also did not dare touch the pedestal, which is a monument to the saint, fearing a possible punishment.

On the Order of Vladimir engraved letters, which are deciphered as "Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir". But, apparently, at the plant there was an error, and the letters are mirrored. However, they are so small, and the height of the monument is quite impressive, that such an incident to ordinary visitors is invisible.

A small copy of the monument is presented in the Ukrainian History Museum, the project of which was also submitted to the court of Nicholas I. Because of his bellicose appearance, the king did not give consent to the installation of such an object. However, the construction promised to be more grandiose, so a small statue is made for display in the museum showcase.