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In
1936 the palace became the children's palace for
young pioneers (a state children's organization
similar to scouting).
The
present day palace is only the front part of the
original structure. the less valuable part of the
complex (mainly apartments and outbuildings--nicknamed
the "Orlovsky outhouse" stretching from
today's mother -and-law's bridge, was not preserved.
In
World War Two the building was severely damaged
by the occupying Nazis.
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the war, it was named in memory of sixteen-year-old
Young Communist League member Yakov Gordienko.
Yakov was an informant for the resistance in the
nearby village of Nerubaiskoy during the Nazi
occupation of Odessa.
Yakov
informed the resistance about the timetable
of a train carrying high ranking nazi officials.
The resistance then derailed the train.
Yakov
also informed the resistance of a creation of
a large fuel dump and found out the time and
the route of a planned march of the Nazis to
Nikolaev. Because of this information, Soviet
fighter planes carried out an effective surprise
raid.
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Memorial plaque of Yakiv
at School number 121, Lva Tolstovo 1
The Plaque says:
The young intelligence scout and guerrilla fighter
Yakov Gordienko, killed in June 1942,
studied in this school.
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Acting
on information from a traitor, in February and March
1942 the Nazis captured most of Yakov's detachment.
After months of torture and interrogation, in June
Yakov was shot and killed.
(The Catacomb museum has
pictures of Yakov Gordienko)
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Construction
The palace and colonnade are built in Russian
classic style. Each facade of the palace is
unique.
The
side facing the boulevard and the Black Sea
has a four-column porch with Ionic columns
(Ionic architecture is one of the three
orders invented by the Greeks. Its distinguishing
feature is a capital (top of column) with a
spiral scroll-like ornament).
The
entrance side has a walkway with Doric columns
(Doric architecture is the oldest and simplest
of the three orders of architecture used by
the Greeks).
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of the entrance is two inscriptions in Turkish.
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On
the south side of the children's palace, under
the porch, are two plaques, one above
the other:
The
first Council of Odessa Workers' Deputies was
stationed here in 1917.
Ukrainian
Soviet Socialist Republic
Architecture Monument
Palace, 1826
The building is protected by the state of Ukraine
Any damage is punishable by law
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Today
both the palace and the colonnade are in major
disrepair.
Both
grand structures are marred by graffiti.
Two
posted signs on the columns strongly warn visitors
not to walk onto the columned porches because
of the collapsing ceiling. The palace's entryway
hosts a crude scaffolding to shield visitors
from falling plaster.
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The
sign wired to the column warns:
The
building of the palace is in emergency condition.
No walking under the columns!
Threat of collapse!
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Alla is working at the entrance, she may give you a
tour of the palace. |
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The
palace has two floors. The intricate ceiling murals
and crystal chandeliers, found in every room on
the first floor, are majestically splendid. There
is a special
Turkish room with more inscriptions in Turkish. |
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The
ten column crescent colonnade is separate from
the palace and stands on a
precipice, providing a panoramic view of the entire
bay and the industrial port.
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Besides
the children's palace is a picturesque square
with two stone lions flanking a well.
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On
the same square, the light yellow building to
the south of the children's palace has a sign
that reads:
городской центр хореографического искусства
or,
directly translated,
The City Center of Choreographic Art
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Continue your virtul tour
by walking to the Building
with an optical illusion
Return to the Primorsky
Boulevard (Приморский Бульвар) Overview
Top of Page |
