Information
Landmark: Duke de Richelieu MonumentCity: Odesa
Country: Ukraine
Continent: Europe
Duke de Richelieu Monument, Odesa, Ukraine, Europe
Overview
The Duke de Richelieu Monument honors Armand Emmanuel du Plessis, the 5th Duke de Richelieu (1766–1822), a French nobleman and statesman who helped shape Odesa’s early growth, his bronze figure gazing out toward the bustling harbor he once worked to build.Named mayor in 1803 and later serving as governor-general of the Novorossiysk Territory-which then included Odesa-until 1814, Richelieu turned the once modest settlement into a thriving Black Sea port, where the air smelled of salt and fresh-cut timber from the busy docks.Under his leadership, the city gained its first municipal government, roads were repaired until they rang under cart wheels, commerce flourished, and law and order took firm hold.Guided by his hand, Odesa quickly blossomed into a thriving center of trade and culture, earning the love and respect of its people, who warmly called him “our Duke.” After Richelieu died in 1822, townsfolk pooled their savings to erect a monument in his honor.The city unveiled its first public statue, a bronze figure that stood as a heartfelt thank-you and a tribute to his work.The monument’s unveiling took place on April 22, 1828, in the Julian calendar-May 4 in the Gregorian-under a bright spring sky.Sculptor: Celebrated Russian artist Ivan Martos, a master of neoclassical sculpture, designed and carved the monument, shaping it with the dignified grace and expressive detail that defined his work.The bronze statue shows Duke de Richelieu in a flowing Roman toga, a classic touch meant to evoke leadership, wisdom, and virtue.In his right hand, he grips a scroll, its edges worn, a symbol of governance, law, and reform.The monument rests on a pedestal of pink granite, quarried from the banks of the Southern Bug River and generously given by local landowner Skarzhinsky.Shaped like a truncated pyramid, it rises in four granite steps that lead straight to the statue.Around the pedestal, three bronze bas-reliefs capture the main forces Richelieu shaped in Odesa’s rise.One shows Agriculture-a plow cutting into dark soil-symbolizing the growth of farming and the rural economy that sustained the city.Trade: A symbol of Odesa’s rise as a bustling port, where ships unload grain for nearby markets and send goods across the sea.Justice-rooted in Richelieu’s push to build laws, keep order, and govern fairly, like the steady toll of a courthouse bell.On the front of the pedestal, a gleaming brass plaque edged in gold honors Richelieu-his accomplishments and the prosperity he helped bring to the city.The Duke de Richelieu Monument, a bronze figure gazing out over the steps to the sea, stands as one of Odesa’s most beloved landmarks, embodying both its birth as a modern city and its vibrant, cosmopolitan soul.In the bas-relief of Trade, locals and tourists alike reach out to touch the sculpted sack of coins, hoping its worn metal will bring them luck and prosperity.Before exams, students often stop by the statue, hoping it will bring them luck and a smooth path to success.In 1854, during the Crimean War, a cannonball burst near the monument, chipping the stone pedestal.Workers fixed the damage with a cast-iron patch, its surface stamped with a small cannonball-a sharp nod to the city’s turbulent past.Perched at the top of the Potemkin Stairs-Odesa’s famed landmark-the monument commands a clear view of the Black Sea and the busy port where gulls wheel over cargo ships.Just a short walk from Odesa’s city center and the main tourist routes, the monument often draws visitors pausing to take in its place among the city’s historical and cultural landmarks.You can visit the monument any time of year, but spring and summer bring the kind of warm, clear days that make wandering its stone paths a joy.Potemkin Stairs: this towering stone staircase sweeps down toward the harbor, offering wide, glittering views of the water and welcoming travelers ashore as the city’s grand front door.The Odesa Opera and Ballet Theater dazzles with grand, gilded arches and world-class performances, all just a short walk away.Primorsky Boulevard winds past gardens, fountains, and stone sculptures, offering a relaxed stroll with sweeping views of the glittering sea.Odesa City Garden sits in the heart of town, with cool fountains and stone sculptures offering a quiet escape from the city’s bustle.The Duke de Richelieu Monument honors the leader whose bold vision and sweeping reforms turned Odesa into a bustling port city and vibrant cultural hub, where sea air still carries the echo of his legacy.With its neoclassical design, rich symbolism, and a commanding spot beside the Potemkin Stairs where the sea breeze drifts up, it’s a place every visitor should see to grasp Odesa’s history and heritage.The monument still sparks pride in the city’s people, its stone steps worn smooth by countless visitors, and stands as a beloved cultural icon.
