A Soviet collectible postcard from 1981, depicting the Odessa State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater viewed from Theater Square.
What is shown on the postcard
In the foreground, there is a roadway and parking area in front of the theater filled with Soviet-era passenger cars, including Zhiguli, Volga, and Moskvitch models. Pedestrians are crossing the street. The center of the composition features the semi-circular facade of the Odessa Opera House in Viennese Baroque style, complete with an arched portal, columns, and statues. On the right, green trees of the adjacent park are visible.
Historical note
The theater building was constructed in 1887 to replace the original city theater that had burned down. The design was created by the famous Viennese architects Fellner & Helmer, blending Baroque and Rococo elements. During the Soviet period, the theater remained a key cultural institution of the Ukrainian SSR, receiving the “academic” status in 1926.
Present day
Today, it is known as the Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful in Europe. The building has undergone comprehensive restoration, and the surrounding square is now fully pedestrianized, with vehicular traffic restricted in front of the main entrance.
Location (map)
Address: 8 Lanzheronivska St, Odesa, Ukraine
Coordinates: 46.485500, 30.741200
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates of the Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.
Questions and answers
- Which building is shown on the postcard? The postcard depicts the Odessa State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.
- What cars can be seen in the foreground? The parking lot in front of the theater contains Soviet passenger cars, specifically Zhiguli, Volga, and Moskvitch models.
- Who designed the theater building? The building was designed by the Austrian architects Fellner & Helmer and completed in 1887.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Odesa from 1981.
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