The monument to Prince Vladimir is one of the oldest monuments in Kiev. It is situated in a park Vladimir Hil (Vladimirskaya Gorka). Vladimir, known as "the Great," was responsible for Baptism in Kievan Rus. He is one of Kiev's most important historic figures.
This monument was the very first sculpturual monument. That's one of the reasons why the archbishop of Kiev argued against the building of “pagan” statue in honor of Christian prince who destroyed all of pagan statues. But anyway the wonderful monument of the cannonized prince with a cross appeared on Kiev hill in 1853. The pedestal of the monument is decorated with demi-relievo "Baptism of Rus" and a figure of archangel Michael. Initially the cross of the Prince was illuminated with the gas lamps but later it was changed to electric bulbs, so statue was clearly visible in the night.