Potocki-Naryshkin Palace is one of the most mysterious sights of Odessa, it is located on Sofievskaya Street, 5a. Probably not known even the date of its construction. The walls of this manor keep many secrets and even the memory of Alexander Pushkin, who fell in love with the sister of the palace mistress, because he visited here more than once.
There are two versions of the appearance of this cultural and historical monument of architecture. According to one of them, the palace was built in 1823-1826 by the famous Italian architect Franz Boffo, who gave Odessa more than one beautiful building, and was a wedding gift of the Pototskys to their youngest daughter Olga. Olga married the cousin of the governor of Odessa, Count Vorontsov — Lev Naryshkin.
According to another version, the palace appeared on the basis of a building built here in 1805-1810, which is confirmed by the Consolidated List of Monuments of Architecture and History of Odessa. This building was rebuilt by Sophia Pototskaya. It even temporarily housed the favorite of Alexander I Princess M.A. Naryshkina. For her here was given the first New Year’s ball in Odessa, which was attended by Richelieu, Koble, Langeron — people who played a major role in the history of the city, whose names are now called streets. And the age of the caves and grotto located under the manor is even more, it is believed that they appeared in the times of the Turks’ rule and had an important strategic significance.
Be that as it may, the Pototsky-Naryshkin Palace Estate is an example of the best traditions of Russian classicism of the beginning of the century before last. The architectural composition is characterized by strict elegance, harmony and symmetry of forms. The impression of the magnificent appearance of the palace is enhanced by the delightful surrounding landscape: the estate is located at the end of the boulevard semicircle on an elevation above the Odessa Bay. The palace is set back from the street, which is a typical feature of the noble estates of the XVIII-XIX centuries, and is surrounded by a cast-iron lattice with a magnificent pattern.
The walls of the palace are painted in a bright shade, which makes the rich stucco and white patterned details look more expressive. The main building of the palace consists of two floors, with symmetrical wings adjoining it on both sides. They are connected to the main building by rounded galleries, so the front courtyard has a semicircular shape. The front entrance is designed in the form of a beautifully executed covered six-column gallery.
Since the Pototsky-Naryshkin family lived here, the interiors of the palace have not changed much. The first floor consists of grand halls with exquisite finishing, the enfilade of rooms flows into the luxurious central hall: there is a parquet floor and an abundance of plant ornamentation on the ceiling, passing into round wreaths and complex patterns of garlands. The staircase leading to the second floor, where the living quarters used to be located, seems to be hidden in a corner of the building.
The back or rear facade of the palace overlooks the sea bay, where a lush garden once ran all the way down to the sea. This side of the manor is part of the sea facade of Odessa.
Another mystery of this unique attraction of Odessa are the caves and a large grotto with an artificially created waterfall located under the palace. Today this place can be visited with an excursion, but once in these mysterious underground labyrinths, equipped with traps, the enemies of the Turks died in these mysterious underground labyrinths, having failed to find a way out.
Since 1889, the palace has been home to the Art Museum, which now has the richest collection of paintings, sculptures and graphics. That is why today Potocki Palace gives an opportunity not only to visit one of the very first Odessa estates, but also to see the works of famous artists.