All people who were so lucky to be born here are proud to live here. This city is the most unusual city in the world. People say that you can find everything in Odessa, as in nearby Greece. Let’s talk about the history of this city.

The first people appeared on this territory about 6000,000 years ago. Hunters settlements have been discovered in Lower Podnestrovie. During the late Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods, the Black sea was considerably smaller then it is today. Probably, such original character of Odessa citizens is from aforesaid. Heroic and proud, cheerful and ironical.

Odessa is only 200 years old, but so many examinations have fallen for this freedom - loving Beauty!

"Golden Age" of Odessa, the peak of its development and riches is concerned with one of the first town governors - Duke De Richelieu. Richelieu’s intelligence and energy gave rise to a miracle. The city was soon recognized as the third city of the Russian Empire. Its great port and a variety of subsidies and progressive laws allowed him to creat an island of freedom in which there was no serfdom, and this attracted decisive, independently minded people with plenty of initiative.

Fortunately, the city had careful fathers, founders, among which - field-marshal A.V.Suvorov, earl Potyomkin - and Taurian, the brilliant officers, foreigners on the Russian service - De Ribas, Devolan, Langeron. They have laid the foundation of the unique city in every respect - the port, known all over the world as the southern gate of great empire.

Hoverwer, Odessa was not spared by war. A cannon, which stands on a plinth in front of the City Council, serves as a monument to the Crimean war. On the 30th of April, the English frigate “The tigr”, manned by Anglo – French crew, was bombarding the city and port when it ran aground in fog. The crew surrendered and the ship was lost but one of it’s canons remains in Odessa.

Its seems that, this city always was on a coast of warm Black sea, has come up from it long time ago. So many real and fantastic things around it simultaneously, that it is difficult to understand the true character and a nature of Odessa. Today Odessa has a total population of about 1.1 million people. The city's trades include that of shipbuilding, chemicals, oil refining, food processing and metalworking. Odessa also has a naval base and several fishing fleets, which adds to the cities economy.

Odessa is beautifully situated on green rolling hills, overlooking a small picturesque harbour. The best time to visit Odessa is during summer, when everything is in bloom and absolutely beautiful. The summer is especially favourable for those who are looking to tan on one of her tranquil white beaches. Russian is the primary language spoken in Odessa, however Ukrainian is the official language and many advertisements and signs are written in it. English is the most widely used tourist language.

PUSHKINSKAYA STREET

In the 1820s Pushkinskaya street was clled Italianskaya( Italian). So the great Russian poet, Alexandr Pushkin wrote in Odessa chapter of his verse-novel “Evgenii Onegin” The street signs were hung in two languages at that time: in Russian and Italian. The Italian craftsmen paved the street so well that neither the war years, nor pwerful social changes, could damage the historic cobblestones. At this street you will find such palces as St.Elijah’s Church, Pushkin Literary-memorial Museum, Museum of Easter and Western art.

DEREBASOVSKAJA STREET

It is the queen of all streets in Odessa. The words “I’d kiss the stones of Derebasovskaja Street” express extreme nostalgia,and “ to meander along Derebasovskaja Street” is one of the best ways to pass some carefree hours.

We can start “meandering” from the courtyard of the apartment block at NO.3, Derebasovskaja street.Here, apart from the typical Odessan sights of washing lines, cats, the communaltap and apartment – dwellers sitting on benches, you will find the Bust of Doctor Ludwig Zamenhof, the inventor of the international language Esperanto. There are 3 museums which are situated near Derebasovskaja Street - Archeological Museum, the Naval Museum and Lanzheronovskaja Street, above the steps leading down to the port, the Literary Museum.

PRIMORSKY BOULEVARD

The boulevard runs above the cliff, right by the seaside. For it’s architectural merits, it is included in UNESCO”s list of world heritage sites as one of the most beautiful places in the world. After many renamings (the boulvard has born the names Nikolaevsky and Feldman), it now bears a neutral name – Primorsky. At it’s starting point stands the building of the City Duma, which was constracted as the first Exchange House of Odessa.

Public buildings are often decorated with statues symbolizing the activities that take placeinside. The Exchange House is decorated with the figures of Mercury and Ceres-patron gods of trade and ferility in ancient times-conveying eloquently the idea that absolutely everything could be bought and sold here.

LANZHERONOVSKAJA STREET

The best way to describe the intersection where Lanzheronovskaja and Risheljevskaja streets meet is to say that it is a place of “firsts”. Over the decades, there have been many ”firsts” here. For instance, this is where the first City Theatre was build; as well as first hotel and restaurant. This block-formed by Lanzheronovskaja, Rishelevskaja, Derebasovskaja and Pushkinskaja streets - was the first parcel of land allotted by de Ribas for building purposes.

Odessa is known as “The Perl by the sea” and from time immemorial, people have come to the seaside for it’s restorative properties. Every year, thousands of visitors come to Odessa for courses of treatment in spa resorts (known as “sanatoriums”) and guest houses, many of which have solid medical know-how and experience.

Anyone who wishes to undergo a cure in a specialized institution should book a special package trip. You can stay in one of the sanitoriums with full board and receive treatment there or you can stay elsewhere and simle book a course of spa treatment.

Here is the list of some:

“Odessa” sanatorium-accommodation cost (including treatments) from $15-$60 per night, depending on room category. It is located in park area, includes a sauna, car park, gym and sports facilities and tennis courts.

“Kuyalnik” – accommodation cost from $16-$48 per night. It is situated on the shore of Kuyalnitsky Bay,30rm from Odessa.The curative muds are well-recognized for their healing properties. “ Kuyalnik” mineral water has been used successfully for treating disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

“Ukraina” sanatorium-This sanatorium , which treats cardiac and neurological problems, has the latest equipment. Specialists in the functional and ultrasound diagnostic laboratories here can diagnose diseases at an early stage.

But the city’s main treasure is its inhabitants. They have always been known for their business astuteness, initiative and tolerance. Odessa is the only city in Ukraine which has so many nations living in it and having really great relationships with each other. From their very childhood, the Odessites are being brought up in the atmosphere of hospitality, warm-heartiness and wicked humor, that’s why no feuds have ever happened and will ever happen here.

Odessa’s doors are always open for cultural and business cooperation!