This was the first monument in Kiev. It was erected in 1802 by A.Melensky to honour the confirmation by Tsar Alexander I of the Magdeburg Right for the Kievans. The base of the column contained the "Khreshchatisky source" - a small basin filled with water from underground springs. This monument is also called "the monument to the Christening of Rus" as it stands more or less at the same place where Vladimir christened his sons.