Lego set of Odesa.Some fakts about this city.

Historical Roots:

The name “Odesa” has its origins in the ancient Greek colony of Odessos, which once occupied this territory.

The city’s layout, designed by François de Volan, intentionally positioned the main facade toward the sea.

First Buildings and Churches:

On August 22, 1794, the first building in Odesa was constructed on Lanzheronovska Street for the Volkonksy family.

The city’s initial church was dedicated to St. Nicholas, later replaced by the Transfiguration Cathedral.

Distinctive Cobblestone:

Odesa’s cobblestone streets, known as bruschatka, were imported directly from Naples under Mount Vesuvius.

You can still find these original cobblestone sections on streets like Pushkinska and Deribasovska.

The Orange Gift:

When funding for the port construction ceased, local merchants gifted Emperor Paul I with 3,000 oranges.

The emperor accepted the gift and provided a loan with 25 years of interest, effectively saving Odesa.

Today, there’s a monument to the orange in memory of this “deal.”

Fountains and Water:

Odesa initially suffered from a lack of drinking water, leading to the installation of fountains: Small, Medium, and Large.

When water quality declined, locals would say, “It’s not a fountain!” to express dissatisfaction.

Innovations and Firsts:

In 1829, Odesa pioneered the use of chlorinated lime as an antiseptic to combat cholera.

The city’s newspaper, the Odesky Vestnik, published its first issue in 1827.

Odesa was the first place in the Russian Empire to lay asphalt (1838) and introduce a duty-free zone (1819).

Infrastructure Milestones:

The first horse-drawn railway line began in Odesa, running from Rishelievskaya Street to Lanzheron Beach.

The Dniester-Odesa water pipeline (1873) and the city’s first sewage system (1877) improved living conditions.

Odesa also housed the world’s second bacteriological station (1886).

Remember, Odesa’s charm lies not only in its history but also in its lively culture, stunning architecture, and warm sea breeze! 🌊🏙️ For more intriguing details, you can explore the official Odesa tourism website