Kiev Ukraine Magdeburg Column

overview

There is a monument in Kiev city dedicated to the Magdeburg Law. It looks like a tall column and stands at the foot of a hill rising from the Dnepr River bank. Erected in 1802 to the design of Andrei Melensky to commemorate the return to the Kiev city of the Magdeburg Rights - the right to self-government, originally granted to the city in 1494-1497 at the expense of the community of Kiev.

Kiev Ukraine Magdeburg Column view

Not too long after the erection of the Magdeburg column, Kiev city lost its right for municipal self-government that had once been granted to it in accordance with the Magdeburg Law. This year, the capital of Ukraine has been given by parliament the right to elect its mayor, which is one of the provisions of the Magdeburg Law. Thus, one of traditions of a free city is coming back.

Kiev Ukraine Magdeburg Column closer view

On the cuboid pedestal, pierced by archways, stands a Tuscan column (height 23.1 meters), at the top of which is a small urn. Between the four base supports there was originally a well, supplied with spring-water through pipes. Thanks to its accurately determined scale the column is well integrated with the Dnepr landscape.

Kiev Ukraine Magdeburg Column at night