Potemkin Stairs

Potemkin Stairs
Потьомкінські сходи (Ukrainian)
Stairs
Potemkin Stairs in Odesa, Ukraine in 2020
DesignF. Boffo, Avraam Melnikov and Pot'e
Construction1837–1841
Opening date1841
Steps192
Height27 m (89 ft)
Surfacegranite, sandstone
Dedicated toBattleship Potemkin
Interactive map of Potemkin Stairs
Coordinates: 46°29′21″N 30°44′36″E / 46.48917°N 30.74333°E / 46.48917; 30.74333

The Potemkin Stairs, Potemkin Steps (Ukrainian: Потьомкінські сходи, romanizedPotiomkinski skhody; Russian: Потёмкинская лестница), or officially, the Prymorski Stairs (Ukrainian: Приморські сходи), are a giant stairway in Odesa, Ukraine. They are considered a formal entrance into the city from the direction of the sea and are the best known symbol of Odesa.

The stairs were originally known as the Boulevard steps, the Giant Staircase, or the Richelieu steps. The top step is 12.5 m (41 ft) wide, and the lowest step is 21.7 m (71 ft) wide. The staircase extends for 142 m (466 ft), but it gives the illusion of greater length.