Odesa is not just the name of the city,, it is the name of the whole world that perhaps has no analogues in the world.
Having the status porto-franko for many years, being the large sea-port, it aquired the unique atmosphere.
At the time of USSR, Odesa had a status of the capital of humour of the whole country,,, now it's the humour capital of Ukraine.
The founder of Odesa is Duc de Richelieu. At that time it was a little settlement near the sea. The origine of the city's name is still the subject of discussions. One legend says that when the Russian Empress Catherine II visited the black sea coast and saw the little town and the large sea coast she said in French "assez d'eau" (should be pronounced as 'Assedo'), which meant 'enough water'. Then the phrase was just turned from the right to the left and it turned to be Odessa. Who knows if it is true... :)))*
- Pros:atmosphere, black sea, and humour
- Cons:some water & electric problems
- In a nutshell:Odessitians it's more than Odessa citizens, it's a lyfestile
Reviews (7)
Sea port
Off The Beaten Path
(1)
Duc de Richelieu, founder of Odesa
Favorites
(3)
Monument to Duc de Richelieu, founder of Odesa At the central square of the city, Duc de Richelieu is made in an... more travel advice
Odesa opera house
Things to Do
(2)
Built in the middle of XIX century, in baroc and neo-classicism style, it is definitely the best opera house in... more travel advice
Potemkin stairs.
Favorites
(3)
Just go up or down by Potemkin stairs, one of the top touristic spots in Odesa Very known place, locals say it's 9th... more travel advice
Odessa Travel Guide
Member Travel Pages
- "The Capital of Humor"
- " The Southern Capital of Ukraine"
- "La plus méditerranéenne des villes d'Europe"
- "The pearl of the Black Sea"
- "Odessa on the Black Sea"
- "Odessa / Одеса"
- "Odessa - The Pearl"
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Comments (46)
Inga, you're right about the Opera Theater, I was there...Thank God it has already been repaired...
Climbing this stairs will be like climbing the Spanish Steps in Italy but I think this is higher and good exercise for me!
Thanks for the great Odessa Page. Odessa has been recommended to me by several people.
Hi. I am arriving to Odessa in about 2 weeks. I can't wait any more!:) Do you have an idea for New Year's Eve in Odessa? Hope humor is all year in the city.;)
Very nice page and pics, greetings Alphons...
How many steps in those stairs? Who needs a step master if you climb up and down that thing a few times a day!
Wonderful city! Is it far from Kiev? If we will decide to visit ucrain next year, I`d like to go to Odessa too. Humor capital of Ucraine! :-D
Potemkin stairs look familiar. But I never knew Odessa is a humour capital. I do know that it is a twin city of Split - we have Odessa street there :-)
I've got to get to Odessa one of these days. I think I have family there...
Yumorina! I like it!
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