Odessa Favorites

Favorite thing: The architectural ensemble of Primorsky Boulevard attests to the high standards of Odessa architects. Designed as the compositional pivot of the city, the Boulevard runs along the sealine. The middle section of the Boulevard is occupied by the semi-circular square with the monument to A.-E.Richelieu in the centre. The buildings of the stock exchange and the Vorontsov Palace terminate the Boulevard on each end to form an integral balanced whole. The architectural rhythm of Primorsky Boulevard, enhanced by horizontal terraces, is interrupted by the vertical line of the grandiose Stairs terraces, is interrupted by the vertical line of the grandiose Stairs which were given the name of Potemkin.

Favorite thing: ...The Odessa period of Pushkin's art was a frutful one. During 13 months of his staying here (from 03.07.1823 to 01.08.1824) the great poet begun to work under "Tzigans" poem, wrote "The fountain of Bakhchisaray" and two chapters of "Eugene Onegin" novel. The odessits honoured the memory of the talented artist; now one of the main street of the city is named after Alexander Pushkin. The monument to Alexander Pushkin, located just opposite the Municipal Building, was unveiled in 1889. A bronze bust of the great poet was modelled by the sculptor Zh. Polonskaya. A granite pedestal executed according to the plan drawn up by the architect Kh. Vasilyev, is given the form of a truncated pyramid edges. Water jetting from the fishes' mouths flows down into the shell-shaped bowis of iron placed on the granite stylobate.

Favorite thing: So Odessa had to be summarized by only one picture, it would be the one of a baby carriage descending the marches after a fusillade... To this detail near : that the fusillade never had for setting the Richelieu staircase.

Fondest memory: Architect Franz Boffo, in 1841, constructed its monument for the travelers arriving of the sea. large of 21 meters to the basis, of 13 to the summit, high of 27 meters, the staircase appears bigger seen of the harbor. The 192 marches made of sandstone one been replaced by the granite in the years 1930.
Constructs in 1908, a funicular flanked the staircase, then it has been replaced, in the years 60 by the present escalator.

In the bottom of the photo : 'Kempinsky' hotel

Fondest memory: I'm into water sports (free dive, snorkel, kayaking, etc) so I didn't want to miss the chance to swim in the Black Sea. The water was a bit cold but I'm used to swimming in the winter.

Here I am with my tour guide, Olga. Seemed like all the girls there are either named Sasha or Olga.... Why is that?

Favorite thing: It is the resort and sanatorium near Odesa.
Known by its curative mud whih is considered as one of the best in the world.
A lot of people ome there to recover.. come ill and leave Kuyalnik "en pleine forme".

Favorite thing: Just go up or down by Potemkin stairs, one of the top touristic spots in Odesa

Fondest memory: Very known place, locals say it's 9th miracle of the world. The stair has so nice perspective that it looks the same from upper or down point, when you look at it. It doesn't become narrower at the perspective.

Favorite thing: Here is another photo of the Potemkin Steps.

When the workers revolted against the Tzarist bosses in 1905, the influence was felt even in the Navy. When the ship's doctor aboard the battleship Potemkin procalimed that maggot infested meat was fine for the sailors to eat, a group rebelled. This small group was ordered to be executed by firing squad in front of the rest of the men. One sailor, Vakulinchuk (Alexander Antonov) stepped forward and challenged the firing squad asking if they were for their comrades or the officers. This led to a ship wide mutiny in which many, including Vakulinchuk, were killed.

When the revolution was completed, the ship sailed into Odessa harbor where the sailors erected a shrine to their fallen comrades.

While crowds were cheering the sailors aboard the Potemkin, lines of Tzarist soldiers appeared at the top of the steps leading to the quay. The soldiers shot indiscriminately. The civilians panicked. From the Potemkin, the sailors turned their guns on Odessa and the Cossacks.

Expecting the Tzarist Navy to arrive, they turned the Potemkin around to meet the ships head on.

Fondest memory: Irwin and I met an old woman, Vera, who was selling boxes on the Potemkin Steps (see the photo above and also in the general category.)

She told us in Yiddish that she had served in the Soviet Army all her life. Now, what with the breakup of the USSR, she received no pension, no benefits, nothing.

It was a pathetic story which was echoed by others who were also selling their wares on the steps. Soon, the Police came by and chased them all away.