This 1981 Soviet collectible postcard features a view of Derybasivska Street in Odesa, one of the city’s central and most famous thoroughfares.
What is shown on the postcard
The foreground on the left depicts a multi-story Stalinist-era residential building with a rusticated facade, bay windows, and balconies. Pedestrians are crossing the cobblestone street via a crosswalk. Dense green trees line the street, partially obscuring the facades of adjacent buildings. A light-colored Lada car and an older model trolleybus are visible on the roadway. On the right side, a street lamp and a “No Parking” road sign are installed.
Historical note
Derybasivska Street, named after the city’s founder Jose de Ribas, maintained its historic significance during the Soviet period as Odesa’s main public space. The building on the corner of Derybasivska and Preobrazhenska (known as Soviet Army Street in 1981) was constructed in the 1950s to replace structures destroyed during World War II, harmoniously blending into the street’s architectural ensemble.
Present day
Today, Derybasivska Street is a fully pedestrianized zone closed to automotive and public transport. The historic cobblestone paving has been restored, and the ground floors of the buildings house numerous cafes, restaurants, and shops. The corner Stalinist building and surrounding historic structures remain key landmarks of Odesa’s historic center.
Location (map)
Address: 33 Derybasivska St, Odesa, Odesa Oblast, Ukraine
Coordinates: 46.484430, 30.732290
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Intersection of Derybasivska and Preobrazhenska streets.
Questions and answers
- Which building is depicted in the foreground on the left? It is a multi-story Stalinist-era residential building constructed in the 1950s on the corner of Derybasivska and Preobrazhenska streets.
- What transport is visible on the street? A light-colored Lada car and an older model trolleybus are visible on the roadway of Derybasivska Street.
- Has the status of the street changed today? Yes, today Derybasivska Street is a fully pedestrianized zone, and public transit no longer runs along it.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Odesa from 1981.
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