"Ah Odesa, Pearl near the sea" Odessa by IngaA

Odessa Travel Guide: 597 reviews and 1,047 photos

Welcome to the capital of HUMOUR!

As a title for my Odesa page, I put the ligne from the popular song, just translated it from Russian :)
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 and Cons

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

Last visit to Odessa: Dec 1999
Intro Written Sep 22, 2002
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Reviews (7)

Sea port Off The Beaten Path (1)

more travel advice

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

Greatest opera house in Ukraine - Odessa

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

Here is 9th miracle of the world! - Odessa

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

Local Customs (1)
Yumorina (humour festival)...

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Comments (46)

hunterV Jun 29, 2010 at 8:58 AM Report Abuse

Inga, you're right about the Opera Theater, I was there...Thank God it has already been repaired...
joiwatani Feb 28, 2009 at 9:43 AM Report Abuse

Climbing this stairs will be like climbing the Spanish Steps in Italy but I think this is higher and good exercise for me!
Basaic Jun 26, 2008 at 1:05 PM Report Abuse

Thanks for the great Odessa Page. Odessa has been recommended to me by several people.
ZiOOlek Dec 13, 2005 at 11:57 PM Report Abuse

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.;)
Alphons Dec 7, 2004 at 1:56 AM Report Abuse

Very nice page and pics, greetings Alphons...
beret Nov 30, 2004 at 8:32 AM Report Abuse

How many steps in those stairs? Who needs a step master if you climb up and down that thing a few times a day!
LanaFromRiga Oct 25, 2004 at 12:39 AM Report Abuse

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
diocletianvs Sep 30, 2004 at 10:35 AM Report Abuse

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 :-)
Sonador3 May 30, 2004 at 12:04 PM Report Abuse

I've got to get to Odessa one of these days. I think I have family there...
MITNIC May 19, 2004 at 12:33 AM Report Abuse

Yumorina! I like it!