A 1968 Soviet collectible postcard depicting a monumental residential building in the center of Odesa — the Whalers’ House (House of Whaling Flotilla Sailors).
What is shown on the postcard
The postcard highlights a monumental five-story red-brick or terracotta-tiled building with a decorative corner turret and spire built in the Soviet Neoclassical style. Wrought-iron balconies, large ground-floor shop windows, and pedestrians on the sidewalk are visible. Green treetops and parts of adjacent historic buildings frame the scene.
Historical note
Located at the corner of Derybasivska and Rishelyevska streets, the building was constructed in the 1950s designed by architects H. Topuz and L. Pavlov for the crew of the Antarctic whaling flotilla ‘Slava’. In the Soviet era, this building symbolized the prosperity of Odesa’s whaling industry, with apartments allocated to honored sailors and harpooners.
Present day
Today, the building at 12 Derybasivska Street retains its historical appearance, serving as a prominent architectural landmark in downtown Odesa. The ground floor remains occupied by shops and cafes, while the upper floors continue to serve as residential apartments.
Location (map)
Address: 12 Derybasivska St, Odesa, Odesa Oblast, Ukraine
Coordinates: 46.483250, 30.739180
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates of the building corner at the intersection of Derybasivska and Rishelyevska streets..
Questions and answers
- Where is this building located? The Whalers’ House is located in Odesa at the corner of Derybasivska and Rishelyevska streets (address: 12 Derybasivska St).
- What architectural style is the building? The building is designed in the Soviet Neoclassical (Stalinist Empire) style, featuring a characteristic terracotta facade and a decorative corner spire.
- Who was this building constructed for? It was built in the 1950s specifically for the families of sailors serving in the Soviet Antarctic whaling flotilla ‘Slava’.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Odesa from 1968.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.