Odessa - Cityscape

Cityscape

Most of the city's 19th-century houses were built of limestone mined nearby. Abandoned mines were later used and broadened by local smugglers. This created a gigantic complicated labyrinth of underground tunnels beneath Odessa, known as "catacombs". During World War II, the catacombs served as a hiding place for partisans. They are a now a great attraction for extreme tourists. Such tours, however, are not officially sanctioned and are dangerous because the layout of the catacombs has not been fully mapped and the tunnels themselves are unsafe. The tunnels are a primary reason why no subway system was ever built in Odessa.

Odessa Opera & Ballet Theater

A grand Renaissance-era theater finished in 1887 which still hosts a range of performances. The theater is regarded as one of the world’s finest. The first opera house was opened in 1810 and destroyed by fire in 1873. The modern building was constructed by Fellner and Helmer in neo-baroque. Its luxurious hall follows rococo style. It is said that thanks to its unique acoustics even a whisper from the stage can be heard in any part of the hall. The most recent renovation of the theater was completed in 2007. The theatre was projected along the lines of Dresden's famous Semperoper built in 1878, with its nontraditional foyer following the curvatures of the auditorium.

Potemkin Steps Odessa’s most iconic symbol, the Potemkin Steps (Primorsky Stairs) is a vast staircase that conjures an illusion so that those at the top only see a series of large steps, while at the bottom all steps appear to merge into one pyramid-shaped mass. The original 200 steps (now reduced to 192) were designed by Italian architect Francesco Boffo and built between 1837 and 1841..

Port of Odessa

One of the biggest in the Black Sea, Odessa’s busy port is a place to see some impressive ships. Odessa Sea Port is located at Black Sea coast along North - Western part of Odessa bay on the artificially created territory. Total shoreline length of Odessa sea port is - 7.23 km. Port’s work does not depend on season and weather: interior port waters are defended by breakwaters. Port includes the Oil Harbour, container handling facility, the passenger area and 7 facilities for handling dry - cargoes. Port's capacities may be handle up to 14 mln tons of dry-cargoes and about 24 mln tons of oil products. Port's passenger terminal may receive up to 4 mln passengers per year.

Vorontsov’s Palace

Another supreme work-of-art from Italian architect Francesco Boffo, this 19th-century palace and colonnade was built for supreme Odessa governor Prince Mikhail Semyonovich Vorontsov.

Deribasovskaya Street

An attractive pedestrian avenue named after José de Ribas, Spanish-born founder of Odessa and decorated Russian Navy Admiral from the Russo-Turkish War. Deribasovskaya Street is famous by its unique character is magnificent architecture, crowds of people leisurely sitting on terraces of numerous cafes, bars and restaurants, perfect cobblestones, no vehicle traffic and big shady linden trees.