Sights of Odessa Ukraine. Museums of Odessa. Catacombs

Odessa Catacombs

Odessa, Ukraine, is located on land that millions of years ago was covered by the Black Sea. Shells of mollusks combined and formed light yellow shell rock. Examining any of this rock, a person can see that it is composed of millions of shells. Sandstone was both the foundation for the city and a primary building material. The sandstone was easy to dig through that allowed for the construction an estimated 2000 kilometers of labyrinths stretching out under the city. Nearly the entire older section of Odessa Ukraine is built with this stone. There are no forests or hills around Odessa, Ukraine, during World War II the only place were the Ukrainian partisans could hide were in the catacombs. The partisans used the tunnels as a base from which to attack the occupying Nazi troops. odessa catacombs

Museum of Literature in Odessa Ukraine

Odessa museum of literature is of a large interest for people who are fond of or study literature. The works of Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Jewish and Polish writers are presented. There are more than 40000 exhibits in total. The museum shows the links of Odessa city with more than 300 famous writers of different countries.

Naval Museum in Odessa Ukraine

The building of Naval Museum was originally the English Club till1842. The museum presents the history of shipbuilding in Odessa, Ukraine, area and local navigation from ancient times to present days. There is vast collection of diagrams, instruments and automatic models.

Odessa Archeological Museum

The first museum, which was founded in Odessa, Ukraine, is the Museum of Archeology. Odessa Archeological Museum is one of the oldest museums in the countries of former Soviet Union. There are more than 160,000 exhibits which give perfect description of The Black Sea coast: starting from the first time man came here up to the ruination of Kievan Rus, Russian state which was founded in the 9th century on the territory of modern Ukraine There is collection of priceless jewelry and ornaments from the 5th to the 1st centuries Before Christ, ancient coins from the 6th century Before Christ and other ancient artifacts. Ancient Greek colonies, which were located on the territory of modern Ukraine, contributed these museum collections.

Fine Arts Museum

Extremely recommend visiting this museum. The works of the world famous painters (18-19th century) are represented: Vrubel and Aivazovsky, Repin and Serov, Kramskoy and Savrasov. You an also find early 20th century paintings of Roric and Benz, Somov and Serebriakova and, of course, Kandinski. The museum is especially famous by its unique collection of orthodox icons from the 14th and 15th centuries. art museum

Museum of Partisan Glory

Millions years ago the land of Odessa (Ukraine) city was covered by The Black Sea salt water. Shells of sea mollusks formed yellow rock. This yellow rock consists of millions of shells. This rock was used as a building material. Sandstone was mined to build houses. All historical part of Odessa Ukraine was built of this natural material. . Tunnels appeared under Odessa city as a result of sandstone extraction, an estimated length of these tunnels-labyrinths under Odessa, Ukraine, city is 2000 kilometers. They are still not investigated. Odessa in Ukraine is the only city in Ukraine with the population over 1 million, which has not got subway. The reason of the absence of subway in Odessa Ukraine is these underground tunnels-labyrinths, called catacombs. During World War II Odessa catacombs were the place where Odessa partisans were hiding. Thanks to Odessa catacombs partisans could reach any part of Odessa, immediately attack Nazi troops any part of the city, make diversion and than hide in catacombs. Each house of the historical part of Odessa Ukraine city center had entrance to the catacombs. 6000 partisans operated in catacombs during the time of Odessa occupation. Over 3000 German soldiers were destroyed by Odessa partisans, more than 30 trains with military equipment were destroyed. The museum of partisan glory is open in catacombs, Nerubayskoye village, few kilometers from Odessa city.

Odessa Museum of Western and Oriental Arts

The museum was founded in 1924. The interior of the museum is luxury decorated. Private collections of Odessa Ukraine merchants were used as a primary base of the museum: replicas of antique sculpture, ceramics of Ancient Greece, antiquities from Holland and Italy, France and Flounders. Roman glassware. It is the best one in Ukraine. Works from Japan and India, China and Mongolia and, of course, Tibet represents the oriental art.