BOULEVARD PRIMORSKY (ПРИМОРСКИЙ ПРИМОРСКИЙ)

From its integration into the Russian Empire, Odessa represented for Catherine II the incredible chance of opening up the Black sea with all the inherent economic potential. Therefore, we must begin the visit of Odessa by Primorskoye boulevard, «Maritime». Along 400 m, it borders the port that Catherine II had built. It is bordered at every end by a palace. UNESCO has designated this boulevard as the typical architectural representative of the th century Russian Empire. You can wander on this boulevard, in the shadow of plane and the sound of the southern accents. The local population likes to stroll on this very elegant seafront, which still bears a little outdated of the chic seaside holiday of the 1930 s. Sitting on the benches along the aisle, eating ice cream, joking and fun, the Odessites seem to have chosen this place as the place of promenade and relaxation par excellence.

At the eastern end of the boulevard you can see the city hall (Городской совет) with its richly decorated facade of columns and statues (s.). The gun next door is a war trophy that the Russians won from the English frigate Tiger, which they had sunk at the time of the Crimean War. In front of the city hall is the bust of the poet A. Pushkin. His writings were censored, he was exiled to Odessa around 1823, where he wrote several of his poems, such as the Fountain of Bakhtchissaraï and The Gypsies and began his famous Eugène Onegin. The Odessites are very proud of Pushkin's passage in their city, which is why a stele bears the inscription: To Pushkin, from the citizens of Odessa.

By continuing the boulevard, the Potemkin staircase is set next to the monument to the Duke of Richelieu (Памятник Ришелье). Inaugurated in 1828, he represents the Duke dressed in a gown and with a wreath. This is the preferred meeting place for the Odessites and the city's visiting card.

By continuing to the west end of the boulevard, you arrive at Count Vorontsov Palace (Воронцовский дворец). Built in 1826 in classical style, it was the residence of Mikhail Vorontsov, the third governor of Odessa. From the colonnade to the back of the palace, enjoy a magnificent view of the harbour. Behind the Vorontsov Palace is the Teschin bridge (Тещин мост), "from the mother-in-law", a pedestrian bridge connecting Primorski Boulevard to Zhvanetski Boulevard. Built at the end of the 1960 s, it was said that it was built because an official liked the crêpes of his mother-in-law very much and wanted a shorter path to go regularly to her home. Today, lovers come here to hang locks at the bridge balustrade.