Not everyone who has been to Odessa and not even all its residents know that in addition to the existing Primorsky Boulevard monument to Duke, there is also a monument to Duke de Richelieu, which he performed himself and gave to the city. Namely — it is «Duke’s Garden», an incredibly wonderful corner of Odessa, drowning in a sea of greenery, beauty and comfort. Long ago here was an ordinary wasteland, but the Duke was able to turn it into a real blooming oasis, for which he specially ordered seeds and seedlings from different foreign countries. Yes, a lot of effort, patience and inspiration was applied to create this park. The Duke of Richelieu was a passionate fan of horticulture, so the city’s greenery was given a worthy place: squares, boulevards and parks were planted, palisades were planted in every courtyard.
The large «Dyukovsky Garden» is located on the slope of Vodianaya Balka in Slobodskaya side. Since 1814 it has been decorating a large territory, which is approximately 450m*550m. The cozy interior of the park is thought out to the smallest detail — pavilions, stairs, terraces, fountains, platforms… At any time of the year the eye is happy to contemplate the beauty of the park, where bright flower beds, fountains and three-level terraces, a pond with an island mesmerize and make you think about the attraction of nature. At different times «Dyukovsky Garden» had different names — it was «Rishilievsky Garden», «City Garden», «Dyukovsky Park», «Victory Park»… But whatever name it had, it does not prevent it from being a favorite place for residents and guests of the city for a quiet and measured rest and unity with nature.
This blooming corner of Versailles, as it was called by the town governor Rishilieu, occupies three levels — the lower one stretches along the Balkovskaya Street, the middle one takes a place on the slope, and the upper one is the crown of the flat top. The main entrance begins with an alley, which passes into a staircase with flower platforms, each of which branches out into other alleys, and the whole garden is acacias, elderberries, poplars, apricots, walnuts, cherries and many other trees. The large pond is nestled down to the left of the entrance and is fed by a fresh spring. A brass band used to play here every evening. Fairs, exhibitions, board game rentals, swings, plays, a library — not so long ago all this was in the «Dyukovsky Garden». The park was also depicted in the movie «Spring on Zarechnaya Street», many vivid episodes of which were filmed in Dyukovsky Garden.
Unfortunately, today this cultural and historical park-monument of Odessa requires restoration and a master’s hand. But at the same time, the garden, which appeared from the incredible desire of Rischilieu to beautify the city, and now does not leave indifferent its visitors. And when you stroll in these extraordinary places full of greenery, you can’t even believe that the life of a big city is booming very close by, because time in the park stops and goes at a slow pace, allowing you to enjoy its hopeful beauties and appreciate this picturesque landmark of Odessa.