Brest Fortress
The Kholm Gate (, ) is a gate of the citadel of Brest Fortress in Brest, Belarus. Originally built in the 19th Century during Russian rule, as one of four gates. The exterior facade, facing the southern branch of the Mukhavets River, was designed in a classical style decorated with turrets and a medallion. The Kholm Gate was named after the town of Chełm, which was directly connected to the gate by a road, with Kholm being the East Slavic version of the town's name. In June 1941, Brest Fortress was the site of heavy fighting during the Defense of Brest Fortress, early into the German invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II. Kholm Gate's facade was badly damaged, but survived relatively intact compared to rest of the fortress and is one of the two surviving gates, along with the Tiraspol Gate. After the war, Kholm Gate was awarded the status of "Hero Fortress" as part of Brest Fortress, one of only twelve places to receive the award in the Soviet Union.