Odessa, Ukraine, is one of the least kept secrets in Eastern Europe. It is a charming port city located on the Black Sea coast of southern Ukraine. The city is known for its proximity to sandy beaches, rich history and stunning Mediterranean-style architecture. If you want to visit places outside of the country's capital, Kiev, this is a great place to visit. From the bloody revolution to one of the best opera houses on the continent, here are 10 things you didn't know about Odessa, Ukraine.
1. Revolution
In 1905, the Russian Empire underwent revolutions in several places, and Odessa was the birthplace of a bloody workers' uprising. The uprising was supported by the crew of the Russian warship Potemkin, and workers in the city took to the streets to rebel against their impoverished working and living conditions. This led to a massacre in which Russian soldiers killed hundreds of Odessa citizens in the streets of the city.
2. Potemkin Stairs
If you've ever studied Russian cinema, you've heard of the movie Battleship Potemkin. Odessa is home to the magnificent Potemkin Ladders, which are immortalized in Sergei Eisenstein's 1925 silent film of the black-and-white battleship Potemkin, where revolutionary sailors rebel against captains and unfair working conditions. The picturesque 192 staircases lead to the waterfront, where you can see the famous Vorontsov Lighthouse. The stairs are 465 feet long, and they are designed to give the illusion that they are much longer than they actually are. They are the most famous symbol of the city of Odessa and an absolute must-see in the city.
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3. Odessa Opera House
If you're heading to Odessa, why not check out its world-class opera house? You can watch amazing ballet and opera performances at one of the oldest opera houses in Europe. The first Odessa Opera House was built in 1810 but destroyed by fire in the late 19th century. It has been rebuilt and exudes elegance and grandeur. For many citizens, the opera house tour is an important part of Ukrainian culture. When the country was under Soviet rule, the arts were open, and most people in society went to the opera at least once in their lifetime, affordable and easy.
The auditorium of the Opera House features a French Baroque interior that is visually stunning. You can have a drink before watching the show and soak up the atmosphere. Some of its annual performances include The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Carmen and Sleeping Beauty. It often sells out, so please reserve your seat in advance at plenty of time.
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4. Mediterranean architecture
The city's architecture is more Mediterranean, with strong French and Italian influences. You can see the Art Nouveau and Renaissance style buildings. It's a beautiful city, walking distance.
5. World War II
Odessa was attacked by German and Romanian troops in August 1941. Before the city fell into the hands of Romanian and German troops, they carried out a strong defense that lasted for nearly three months. With the fall of the city, Romanian officials were primarily responsible for Odessa until the end of World War II. One of the most famous female snipers in the world, Lyudmila Pavlitchenko, is known for her involvement in the defense of the city. Pavlitchenko was a Soviet sniper who killed more than 300 enemies and was known as the most successful female sniper ever.
6. Massacre: Massacre of Odessa
Unfortunately, during World War II, the city witnessed massacres of the Jewish population in 1941 and 1942. In October 1941 alone, between 25,000 and 34,000 Jews were killed by Romanian and German collaborators of the Nazi regime. This tragic history is remembered today on the memorial site of Prohorovsky Square, which was built to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust. You can also visit the Odessa Holocaust Museum to learn more about what happened in the city during World War II and remember its many victims.
7. Catherine the Great
Catherine the Great was one of Russia's most famous tsars or empresses and one of the main founders of the port and city of Odessa, which belonged to the Russian Empire at the time. The town was declared a free port in the 19th century, which meant that trade flourished here, and the city quickly became the fourth largest city in the Russian Empire. There is a monument to Catherine the Great, as well as a monument to the other founders of the city.
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8. Independence of Ukraine
Ukraine officially declared its independence in 1991, breaking away from the communist Soviet Union that disintegrated that same year. Although it is an independent country, there are millions of Russians living in Ukraine, and there are many cultural similarities, as well as obvious differences between different cultures. Russian is the mother tongue of nearly one-third of Ukrainian society.
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9. Ancient Greeks versus Soviets
Before the Russian Empire officially established Odessa, there was a port city dating back to ancient Greek times. The city was home to large ancient Greek settlements in the 3rd century BC. The city was probably used as a port trading town during the period of the Ancient Greek Empire.
For centuries, the town also passed through the hands of the Ottoman Empire, and then in recent centuries it has fallen into the hands of the Russian and Soviet empires. In the decades leading up to the collapse of the Soviet Union, Odessa was used as a naval base by the Soviet Union.
10. Sandy beach
The city is close to some of the best beaches in Ukraine and is a great place to relax on holidays. The best beach is Odessa's own Arcadia beach. It is one of the top resorts in the country with an abundance of hotels, swimming pools, waterslides, shops, bars and restaurants. The seafood in Odessa is excellent and there are plenty of beachfront restaurants serving the day's cuisine.
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