Monument "Vojt with a Key"

In 2014, a monument "Vojt with a Key" was installed opposite the main entrance of the Minsk Town Hall, dedicated to the granting of the Magdeburg Law to Minsk. This sculpture depicts a bronze vojta, the head of the magistrate, who holds a symbolic key to the city and a royal charter granting Magdeburg Law to Minsk in 1499. In the vojta's hands is a royal charter inscribed in Old Belarusian, confirming the city's right to self-government. At his feet lies a plan of Minsk from the 16th century, showing the defensive wall, the castle, and the key religious ensembles of that time. The monument was installed in the northwestern part of the map, making it a noticeable landmark for those studying old Minsk. Work on creating the monument began in 2006 when Sergey Oganov presented the first sketch at an exhibition in the Museum of Contemporary Art. However, the final approval of the project only happened in 2011. Oganov, working with historians, carefully developed the vojta's appearance, which became a composite image. Initially, he looked older but was later updated to a younger and more noble appearance. The sculpture became a symbol of an important historical event—the granting of Magdeburg Law, which significantly influenced the development of Minsk. This legal status provided the city with independence from feudal duties, the right to private property, and self-organization. As a result, Minsk could build its administrative buildings, such as the town hall, and develop as an independent urban center. Magdeburg Law, granted to Minsk in 1499, was lost in 1831 by decree of Emperor Nicholas I. The town hall, which once housed the authorities, was destroyed and restored only in 2004. The monument "Vojt with a Key" has become a symbol of the revival and preservation of the historical memory of Magdeburg Law and its significance for Minsk.