Museum of the Odessa Sea Port, Odessa

Museum of the Odessa Sea Port offers visitors an engaging look at the maritime history that shaped the city’s rise along the Black Sea. Founded on 10 April 1990 to mark Odessa’s 200th anniversary, the museum is named after François-Paul de Volant, the military engineer responsible for designing the city’s first commercial seaport. Its setting inside the former Franz de Wollant Museum building, at the foot of the Potemkin Stairs and within the seaport complex, places it at the heart of Odessa’s historic waterfront.

The museum’s five halls trace the evolution of the port from its earliest plans to its modern-day operations. Rare documents, engraved maps, and archival materials reveal how the harbour developed into one of the region’s most important gateways. Among the highlights are original blueprints by De Volan, which show the engineer’s vision for a port capable of supporting trade across the Northern Black Sea. Several intricately crafted ship models, some reportedly transferred from the former Museum of the Ukrainian Navy, complement these exhibits and add further depth to the story.

Visitors with an interest in maritime relics will also find an open-air exhibition behind the nearby Church of Saint Nicholas, close to the yacht complex. This outdoor display features anchors and cannons recovered from the seabed, each accompanied by detailed information about its origins and use. Together, these artifacts lend a tangible sense of the region’s long nautical past.

Exploring the port area provides additional opportunities to enjoy Odesa’s maritime character. The waterfront offers views of commercial vessels, tourist boats, and a small statue of a fisherman’s family, while the top of the Potemkin Stairs opens onto a sweeping panorama of Odessa Bay—an ideal backdrop for understanding the port’s enduring role in the life of the city.