A 1973 Soviet collectible postcard depicting the panorama of the Potemkin Stairs and the escalator (funicular) pavilion in Odesa.
What is shown on the postcard
The image shows the upward perspective of the Potemkin Stairs. On the left is the modernist glazed pavilion and inclined gallery of the Soviet-era escalator, built on the site of the historical funicular. Scattered pedestrians are visible on the steps. In the background, at the top of the hill, the semi-circular buildings of Primorsky Boulevard and the silhouette of the Monument to Duke de Richelieu are visible. The hillsides are covered with dense green trees.
Historical note
The Potemkin Stairs were constructed between 1837 and 1841 based on the design of architects F. Boffo, G. Melnikov, and K. Pottier. Originally, the stairs consisted of 200 steps (eight were later buried during port expansion). The escalator shown on the postcard was opened in 1970, replacing the old funicular that had operated since 1902.
Present day
Today, the Potemkin Stairs remain a key architectural landmark of national significance in Odesa. In 2005, the Soviet escalator was replaced by a restored classical funicular system with two cars. The structure has been fully restored and forms part of the city’s pedestrian zone.
Location (map)
Address: Primorsky Boulevard, Odesa, Odesa Oblast, Ukraine
Coordinates: 46.488200, 30.741100
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Geographic coordinates of the Potemkin Stairs in Odesa..
Questions and answers
- What transit structure is visible to the left of the stairs in the 1973 photo? On the left is the Soviet escalator housed in a glazed gallery, which was built in 1970.
- How many steps did the staircase originally have? The Potemkin Stairs originally had 200 steps, but eight of them were later buried during the port’s expansion.
- What operates on the site of the Soviet escalator today? Today, the classical funicular service has been restored, operating since its relaunch in 2005.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Odesa from 1973.
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