Golden gate is located in Vladimir and represent an outstanding monument of ancient Russian architecture. They are part of the UNESCO world heritage site.

Golden gate was built by Andrei Bogolyubsky in 1164 Except for purposes of defense gates also wore a triumphant character. They represented the entrance to the princely-boyar part of Vladimir.

The construction is made in the technique of the half-rubble masonry, which was widespread in those days in the Vladimir-Suzdal architecture. Clear proportion of travel of the arch, which was covered with semicircular arch, and the fine Church at the top was filled with the construction of a majestic sense, relevant to its purpose.

To this day preserved only the Golden gate, although in times of Andrei Bogolyubsky in the city had seven entrance gates: Copper, Silver, Volga, Asinine, Shopping, Ivanovo and Gold.

From the North and South close to the gate was adjacent walls and deep moats on the outside. From the gate through the ditches took the bridge out of the city. The height of the arch was 14 meters. Massive oak gate that hung on wrought-iron hinges, adjoined the arched lintel. It is preserved to this day. On top of the cofferdam was completed wooden planks that served as additional battle ground. The entrance to the site was through the door in the South wall. At the same level on the other side of the ladder, exit on South earthworks. The shafts from the North led the passage from the platform through the door in the wall. Staircase in the South wall was on top of the combat area, which had battlements in the form of loopholes. In the centre of the site there was the white stone gate Church in honor of the provisions of the robes of the virgin.

To our days the gate come with a strong rearrangements. The old part of this building is an archway leading to massive side pylons with a battle over them, which is preserved only in fragments.

Frequent enemy invasion, a devastating fire severely distorted the original shape of the Golden gate. From written sources it is established that the repair of the gate Church was executed in 1469, under the guidance of the sculptor and architect V. Ermolina D. In 1641 Moscow architect A. Konstantinov under the decree of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich had an estimate for repair of the gate of gates, but the works were started only in the late 17th century

During the great fire in Vladimir in 1778 gates burned. After a few years in the implementation of a new regular urban design shafts, which are adjoined to the walls of the Golden gate, sryle for devices travel. The design of the portal thereby supports were weakened, and became a topical issue of the repair of ancient buildings. In 1795 by the architect Chistyakova to the corners of the pylons attached buttresses, which were concluded in the round tower. Were also shifted once again the arches of the gate, and they built a new brick Church. In this view of the Golden gate and has survived to the present time.

In the summer of 1991, residents of Vladimir met at the Golden gate relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov, who were solemnly transported from St. Petersburg to the springs. In the mid-1990s, were placed over the gate, as in the old days, icons of Christ the Savior and Mother of God.

The last 50 years, the Golden gate belong to the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-reserve. In gate Church is a military-historical exposition, Central to which is a diorama that recreates the dramatic events 1238, when Vladimir was defending himself from the assault troops of Batu Khan.

There are also military equipment and weapons from different times: the spears and arrows of the 18th century, martial bolts from throwing machine, trophy Polish 17th century crossbow, chainmail poleaxe, silicon guns of Catherine, steel, blunderbuss of the Patriotic war of 1812, uniform, rifle, banners and awards of the late 19th century, Turkish captured weapons.

Known interesting facts from the history of the Golden gate. According to N. N. Voronin, in medieval Europe, Golden gate was unparalleled; European architecture of the time was only familiar with pure fortified tower structures, and Vladimir Golden gate in addition to defensive functions played the role of the front entrance, and also served a religious purpose – they placed a functioning Church.

According to legend, in 1767 the carriage of Empress Catherine II during the entrance to the city is stuck in the arch. Therefore, in its order on both sides of the gate passages were dug.