Monument to Duke in Odessa - a visiting card of the city

Odessa is one of the largest Ukrainian cities and an important settlement in Russian history. It has a long-standing origin. In addition, it was a major trading and military port of Russia on the Black Sea since the XVIII century.

Odessa and its sights

On the site of Odessa in the ancient era was the city-port of Istrian or Isiaka, which was in the subordination of Olbia. In the 14th century, the port of Kotsubeyev was founded on the lands that departed Lithuania, which after conquering the territories by the Ottoman Turks began to be called Ottoman manner by Hadzhibey. Next to him was built the fortress "New World". In the second half of the 18th century, under Catherine II, during the Russo-Turkish War, the fortress was captured by Russian troops under the leadership of Osip de Ribas, whose name was often called and written as Joseph Deribas. Later, one of the streets of Odessa was named after him - the well-known Deribasovskaya.

The second attraction of Odessa is the famous Potemkin Stairs. It was in the territory located between it and Primorsky Boulevard that the Turkish fortress "Novy Svet" was erected.

In the photo - a monument to Duke in Odessa - the third sight of the seaside city. About him we will lead our story.

The first monument of Odessa

The monument to Duke de Richelieu in Odessa was her first monument. The monument was installed on Primorsky Boulevard in 1828. The author of the monument to Duke in Odessa is Ivan Petrovich Martos - the author of the famous monuments: Minin and Pozharsky in Moscow, the "Monument to the Parents" in Pavlovsky Park, a large number of unique tombstones in the necropolises of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg, the monument to Paul I in Georgia, Alexander I in Taganrog, Grigory Potemkin in Kherson.

The monument is made of bronze, commissioned by the city government. Funds for the construction of the monument began to collect the successor of the Duke de Richelieu Count Langeron. And the idea was put forward by Count Vorontsov.

Duke is depicted standing in full growth, with a scroll in his hand. He looks thoughtfully at the sea, as if he is watching the ships entering the port and emerging from it. Richelieu is represented in the guise of a Roman soldier dressed in toga. Between the folds of the toga, looking narrowly, you can see a short Roman sword. On the head of Duke - a laurel wreath, a symbol of victory and power.

The foundation of the monument of Duke Richelieu in Odessa is decorated with bas-reliefs allegorically depicting agriculture, justice and trade.

As a symbol of trade, the authors used the image of the god of trade Hermes (Mercury), holding in his hand a bag of money. According to legend, anyone who wipes the bag expects success and wealth.

And Odessa citizens say that in the XIX century a cannon was located near the monument, which was stolen.

Dimensions of the monument are not too large: the growth of the sculpture is slightly larger than the real growth of the Duke. In Odessa, the monument attracts interest and the most historical person of Richelieu.

Duke Richelieu: a monument of historical personality

The man whose name was immortalized in sculpture is Arman Emmanuel du Plessis Duke de Richelieu. The word "Duke", which many consider the name of this character, is in fact not a name, but translated as "duke". Who is he, this Duke Richelieu, than marked in history?

It is a French aristocrat who ruled Novorossiysk from 1803 to 1814. He is a descendant of the famous French Cardinal de Richelieu. Twice was the Prime Minister of the French Republic.

Even in the years of the French Revolution, Duke Richelieu was forced to leave his native France. Arriving in Russia, he went to fight on the side of the Russians against the Turks and became famous when taking Ishmael.

The life of Duke Emmanuel de Richelieu tragically ended when he was only 55 years old: retiring from the post of Prime Minister of the French Republic, he died suddenly from an apoplexy.

Monument - in gratitude

The monument to Duke in Odessa was established by the residents in gratitude for his special contribution to the economic well-being of the city. Odessites consider Duke de Richelieu the founder of his city, although he managed to manage it only nine years after the foundation and stood at the head only eleven years.

It is Duke Richelieu Odessa owes a lot of acacias sung in the famous song and create an amazing Odessa flavor. The acacia seedlings were, by his decree, delivered to the port city from Italy and planted throughout its territory.

The monument of Duke in Odessa is a reminder and that he was able to get the city's tax benefits. That is why the seaside city was able to actively develop and build up. And Duke Richelieu increased Odessa territory, selecting them from bandits.

The long-suffering Duke

The monument of Duke Richelieu in Odessa attracts so much attention to itself, nevertheless many do not notice its flaws. But if you look closely, you will see bullet marks on the back of the sculpture. And from the face of the monument the monument is visited by fragments. In addition, the core on the pedestal is not just a decoration or a symbolic element. It covers the track from the projectile that damaged the pedestal during the Crimean War.

Duke and modern Odessa

Every summer at the end of August in Odessa there is a festival of Ukrainian embroideries. In embroidered clothes not only residents of Odessa. A traditional national shirt is worn on the Duke. Each year the color of the shirt is different. This year, the inhabitants of Odessa chose green.

June 17, 2017 at the monument to the Duke in Odessa held a veche "Odessa - for everyone." The task of the meeting of Odessa residents was to draw attention to the problems of people with disabilities. Odessites believe that every person has the right to actively participate in the life of the city and build his life in a "public access mode". Having gathered such a veche, the townspeople continue the Duke de Richelieu case, aimed at improving the life of their city.