A collectible 1973 postcard capturing the popular Soviet-era recreation zone in the Central Park of Culture and Leisure named after T. G. Shevchenko in Odessa.
What is shown on the postcard
The image shows an outdoor amusement ride area. On the left is the dynamic “Surprise” ride with passenger cabins mounted along the edge of a tilting, rotating disc. To the right, swing boats under canopies and the steel frame of a Soviet Ferris wheel are visible. In the foreground, unique decorative streetlamps with multicolored segmented covers are installed, while visitors stroll along the paved pathways.
Historical note
The Central Park of Odessa was founded in 1875 as Alexander Park. During the Soviet era, it was renamed in honor of T. G. Shevchenko and became the city’s primary public leisure destination. The amusement zone depicted on the postcard was periodically updated with standard Soviet rides produced by domestic civilian machinery plants.
Present day
Today, the Odessa “Lunapark” amusement park continues to operate on this site. All the vintage Soviet-era ride structures have been dismantled or replaced with modern imported equipment. The centerpiece of the current entertainment zone is a new 45-meter-high Ferris wheel, which opened in 2011.
Location (map)
Address: 1 Marazliivska St, T. G. Shevchenko Park, Odessa, Ukraine
Coordinates: 46.479800, 30.754800
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates of the amusement park zone in T. G. Shevchenko Park, Odessa.
Questions and answers
- What amusement rides can be seen on this 1973 postcard? The postcard shows the Soviet “Surprise” centrifuge ride, canopy-covered swing boats, and an old-style Ferris wheel.
- When was the park shown in the photo established? The park was founded in 1875 under its original name, Alexander Park.
- What occupies the site of these amusement rides today? Today, the modern Odessa “Lunapark” operates on this historic spot in Shevchenko Park, featuring new rides and a 45-meter Ferris wheel.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Odesa from 1973.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.