The Monument to the 12th Chair, Odessa (must see)

The Monument to the 12th Chair in Odessa pays tribute to one of the city’s most beloved literary icons: The Twelve Chairs, the satirical novel written by Ilya Ilf and Yevgeny Petrov, both Odessa natives. Installed in 1999 in the City Garden on Derybasivska Street, the sculpture captures the spirit of Odessa’s sharp humour and its long-standing affection for the book’s roguish characters. The novel, published in 1928, follows the adventures of Ostap Bender as he hunts for hidden jewels supposedly concealed in one of a dozen chairs—an unlikely treasure quest that has become part of local cultural memory.

The monument depicts the famous Rococo-style chair at the centre of the story, crafted in bronze with an intentionally inviting seat. Visitors often pause to rest on it or pose for photos, continuing the playful tradition that the book inspires. Its placement in the City Garden, a historic park filled with sculptures and live music, adds to the light-hearted atmosphere surrounding the piece.

For Odessa, the monument is more than a tribute to literature; it reflects the city’s identity shaped by satire, wit, and storytelling. The work also acknowledges Ilf and Petrov’s ties to Odessa, anchoring their fictional world within the city's real streets. Today, the 12th Chair remains a popular stop for travellers, blending humour, history, and local pride in one memorable sculpture.