If you ask what is the symbol of Paris ,each one will tell that it’s Effil Tower,if you ask the same about Rome, each will tell that it’s Trevi Fountains,if you will ask the same about Odessa,each will tell that it’s Potemkin steps.

Soviet tour-guides of 1960 used to calim that the steps were named Potemkin after revolutionary events of 1905 but the evidence tells us that the name ‘Potemkin’ was given to the steps in honour of the 50th anniversary of this event ,in 1955. The steps were known simple as the Boulevard Steps, or the Giant Staircase ,but they were no less famous for that. Guidbooks published by1917 state that they were unique in the world. And later director Sergey Eisenstain ,who made film ‘Battleship Potemkin’ gave the steps movie star status to rival the fame of the Egyptian pyramids ,St.Peter’s in Rome and London’s Big Ben.

It is not just the cale of the stairway that is impressive .Especially since the two hundred steps have been reduced with the years to one hundred and ninety-two. Nor is it the splendid use of the natural landscape .Nor is it patience and skill shown in carrying out the draining and anti-landside works. And it is not even that one doesn’t notice the difference in proportions( the width of the top step is 13.4 metres, and the bottom one is 21.7 metres) The sea ,city and sky smoothly merge together into a chain.

Looking down from the top, the steps themselves become invisible, only the landings can be seen. On either side of the stairs there is a stone parapet and the two appear to run parallel.
Built in 1837, POTEMKIN STEPS are the best place to view the busy harbors and the bay. The famous monument to Duke de Richelieu overlooks steps of 142m length. The statue of the Duke was created by the sculptor I.Martos and it’s pedestal by the architect A.Melnikov.

The Duke of Richelieu brought order to Odessa and he ruled wisely and fairly.Anyone who dares to venture down the steps will be rewarded with the view opening up from the port building back up towards the Steps. Odessa opens it’s arms if in embrace.