Odessa is one of the largest Ukrainian cities and an important settlement in Russian history. It has a long origin. In addition, it has been a major commercial and military port of Russia on the Black Sea since the 18th century.
Odessa and its attractions
In the place of Odessa in the ancient era was the port city of Istrian or Isiaka, which was subordinate to Olbia. In the XIV century, the port of Kotsyubeev was founded on the lands that had departed to Lithuania, which after the conquest of the territories by the Ottoman Turks became known as the Ottoman manner Hadzhibey. Next to it 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 - Deribasovskaya known to everyone.
The second attraction of Odessa is the famous Potemkin Stairs. It was on the territory located between it and Primorsky Boulevard that the Turkish New World fortress was erected.
In the photo - a monument to Duke in Odessa - the third attraction of the coastal 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 erected on Primorsky Boulevard in 1828. The author of the Duke monument in Odessa is Ivan Petrovich Martos - the author of the famous monuments: Minin and Pozharsky in Moscow, the “Monument to Parents” in Pavlovsky Park, a large number of unique tombstones in the necropolises of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg, a monument to Paul I in Georgia, Alexander I in Taganrog, Gregory Potemkin in Kherson.
The monument is made of bronze by order of the city government. Funds for the construction of the monument began to raise the successor of Duke de Richelieu Count Langeron. And the idea was put forward by Count Vorontsov.
Duke is depicted standing full-length, with a scroll in his hand. He looks thoughtfully at the sea, as if watching the ships entering and leaving the port. Richelieu is presented in the guise of a Roman warrior dressed in toga. Between the folds of the toga, looking closely, you can see a short Roman sword. Duke has a laurel wreath on his head, a symbol of victory and power.
The base of the monument to 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 a bag of money in his hand. According to legend, anyone who wipes the bag, waiting for success and wealth.
And Odessa residents say that in the 19th century a cannon was located near the monument, which was stolen.
The size of the monument is not too large: the growth of the sculpture is slightly larger than the real growth of Duke. In Odessa, the monument attracts interest and the most historical person Richelieu.
Duke Richelieu: historical monument
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 actually not a name, but is translated as "duke". Who is he, this Duke Richelieu, than noted in history?
This is a French aristocrat who ruled the Novorossiysk Territory from 1803 to 1814. He is a descendant of the famous French Cardinal de Richelieu. Twice was Prime Minister of the French Republic.
Back in the years of the French Revolution, Duke Richelieu was forced to leave his native France. Arriving in Russia, he went to war on the side of the Russians against the Turks and became famous during the capture of Ishmael.
The life of Duke Emanuel de Richelieu tragically ended when he was only 55 years old: having retired from the post of Prime Minister of the French Republic, he suddenly died from an apoplexy blow.
Monument - in gratitude
The monument to Duke in Odessa was established by residents in gratitude for his special contribution to the economic well-being of the city. Odessans consider Duke de Richelieu to be the founder of their city, although he began to manage it only nine years after the foundation and stood at the head of only eleven years.
Odessa owes Ducu Richelieu a lot of acacias, sung in the famous song and creating an amazing Odessa flavor. Acacia seedlings, by his decree, were delivered to the port city from Italy and planted throughout its territory.
Duke Monument in Odessa is a reminder that he was able to obtain tax benefits for the city. That is why the coastal city got the opportunity to actively develop and build up. And Duke Richelieu increased Odessa territories, taking them from the bandits.
The long-suffering Duke
The monument to Duke Richelieu in Odessa is so attracting attention, however, 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 front of the soron, the monument is cut with fragments. In addition, the core on the pedestal is not a simple decoration or a symbolic element. It covers the track from the shell that damaged the pedestal during the Crimean War.
