Odessa is a young city by European measures. It was founded by the Catherine II in 1794 when the Russian empress decided that her country needed a port on the Black Sea for expading connections with Europe. Once on the place of modern Odessa an Ancient Greek villige was situated, then Crimean Tatars lived here. They were replaced by Turkish Osmans who founded Khadjibei fortress, captures by Russian forces in 1789.

Well situated geographically, Odessa soon turned from a small village into a trade, industrial and scientific center of European level. To the 100th anniversary from its founding, Odessa occupied 4th place in Russian Empire by number of its population and economical development level after Saint Petersburg, Moscow and Warsaw. During the 1st Warld War and Civil War in Russia, the town lived through devastation and chaos, and during the 2nd Warld War was partly destroyed.

In spite of historical collisions Odessa population increased almost three times. Nowadays the city continues its development as a large industrial and resort center in Ukraine. Soft climate, many sand beaches and warm sea annually attract thousands of tourists to the city which has a merited title of «Southern Palmira».

Odessa has a famous Potemkin staircase of 192 steps. Noble prince Mikhail Semenovich Vorontsov presented this staircase, which cost him 800 thousand roubles, to his wife Elizaveta Kzaveriyevna. During soviet times this staircase was renamed in memory of rebellion on Knyaz Potemkin-Tavricheskiy Battleship in 1905 (before the revolution it was called Richeliyevskaya Staircase because it has a monument of Duke de Richeliye at its start). Construction of this giant staircase was started in 1837 and finished in 1841.

Having risen by Potemkin staircase you can reach Primorskiy Boulevard. You can watch the panorama of the port from here. There are beautiful architectural ensembles along the boulevard and here, close to one of the most lovely buildings in Odessa, Municipal Counsil, is a monument of the great Russian poet Alexandre Sergeyevich Pushkin. Primorskiy Boulevard is a favorite place for stroll and rest of dwellers and guests of Odessa. Central Park of Culture & Rest named in memory of T.G.Shevchenko, the former Alexandrovskiy Park, occupies a vast area. There is a monument of The Unknown Sailor there. Ever-burning fire at its feet reminds us about great feat of Odessa defenders.

Deribasovskaya Street, named in memory of the city founder Josef Deribas, and adjacent Greek Square, are well-known places of interest. Presently the biggest part of the street and the square are for pedestrians and, together with adjoining Municipal Garden, are one of the favorite places for rest and walking for Odessa dwellers and its guests.

Oustanding place in cultural life of the city is occupied by Odessa National Academical Theater of Opera and Ballet. Its building, constructed in 1884-1887, is a unique architectural structure.

Besides, for your rest and recreation in Odessa, there are:

• Theater of Musical Comedy of M.Vodyaniy
• Russian Drama Theater of A.V.Ivanov
• Ukrainian Drama Theater of V.Vasilko
• Odessa Regional philharmonic society
• Young Spectator Theater
• Odessa Regional Puppet-Show
• Odessa State Theater of Young Spectator of N.Ostrovskiy
• Odessa State Circus
• Odessa Municipal Theater of Wind Music of A.Salik
• Odessa Clowns House