A collectible 1981 Soviet postcard depicting the Odesa Regional Philharmonic building, an outstanding architectural monument of the late 19th century.
What is shown on the postcard
The postcard shows the corner facade of the Philharmonic building, designed in the Venetian Gothic style. It features a monumental arched entrance portal, pointed traceried windows, decorative patterned brickwork, and a roof turret. In the foreground, the street is visible with pedestrians, a lamppost with a parking sign, and a parked car.
Historical note
The building was constructed between 1894 and 1899 based on a design by Vikenty Prohaska, heavily revised and executed by Alexander Bernardazzi. It was originally built as the New Stock Exchange. In 1946, the building became home to the Odesa Philharmonic. Its unique concert hall was intentionally designed with acoustics that muffled speech over short distances, preventing traders from overhearing each other’s deals.
Present day
Today, the Philharmonic building is designated as an architectural monument of national significance in Ukraine. It continues to serve as Odesa’s main concert venue, hosting performances by the Philharmonic Orchestra, music festivals, and key cultural events.
Location (map)
Address: 15 Bunina St, Odesa, Odesa Oblast, Ukraine, 65000
Coordinates: 46.480744, 30.742358
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Odesa Regional Philharmonic, former New Stock Exchange building..
Questions and answers
- What is the architectural style of the building? The building is designed in the Venetian Gothic style with Neo-Renaissance elements.
- What was the original purpose of the building? It was originally built to house the New Stock Exchange, which opened in 1899.
- What is the acoustic peculiarity of the concert hall? The hall was engineered so that conversations just a few steps away became unintelligible, preventing stock traders from eavesdropping on business deals.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Odesa from 1981.
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