About Potemkin Stairs

A trip to Odessa warrants a definite visit to the insanely popular Potemkin Stairs or Potemkin Steps. Why are they popular, you ask? For starters, it is a whopping 142-meter-long stairway, which is the symbol of the city and its only formal entrance from the direction of the sea. Today, the Potemkin Stairs have no celebrity tantrums as they first grew in popularity by Sergei Eisenstein in his silent movie - The Battleship Potemkin (1925).

 

Originally, they were even called the Giant Staircase, the Richelieu steps, or the Boulevard steps. Interestingly, the stairs create an optical illusion where the ones looking down from the top will only be able to see a series of large steps. While someone looking up from down will be able to see the steps merge into a pyramid-like structure!

 

Before these stairs were built, crude wooden stairs and winding paths were the only route to the harbor. Later, a decision was made to construct a “monstrous staircase” that gave birth to 200 steps, rising 27 meters high. It is said that the first step is 21.7 meters wide, while the last is 12.5 meters wide.

 

A bronze statue monument of the Duke de Richelieu is placed right at the top of the stairs. In 1828, this statue was built to commemorate Armand-Emmanuel de Vignerot du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu, the first elected governor of Odessa.

 

Must See

Outstanding view at the top
 Funicular
 Duke de Richlieu bronze statue
 

How to reach

Taxi is the fastest way of getting there and the cost will around 75 UAH.
This place is near to the city center so one can come by walking as well and it will take around 27 minutes.

Tips

Visit the place with a guide to know more about its significance and history.
There is a park on each side, good for kids to play.
Visit early to avoid the crowd.
The one who wants to skip the stairs walking can take funicular which costs 5 UAH each way.
Don't forget to carry your camera.
Wear comfortable shoes.
Carry an ample amount of water to avoid dehydration.
If you are traveling in the summer season, make sure that you cover yourself well, carry an umbrella, hat, water, and sunglasses.
Good to visit during the night as well to enjoy local buskers.
 

Visit Time

Sunday:            Open 24 hours.
Monday:           Open 24 hours.
Tuesday:          Open 24 hours.
Wednesday:     Open 24 hours.
Thursday:         Open 24 hours.
Friday:              Open 24 hours.
Saturday:          Open 24 hours.
 

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Waiting Time

None

 

Entrance Fee Icon

Entrance Fee

No

 

Time you can spend Icon

Time you can spend

1 hour

 

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Weather

Scattered Clouds 9.01°C

 

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