The City Garden of Odessa is considered by its residents as its heart. The garden was founded almost at the same time as the city — at the very beginning of the XIX century, according to historical references already in 1803-1806 it was a green oasis in the center of the then not rich in vegetation of the city.
Felix de Ribas — the brother of one of the first benefactors of the city — was engaged in the foundation of the city garden. When Joseph de Ribas became the mayor of Odessa, he won the right of Odessa citizens to receive plots of land. His brother built a house on his plot and found that two whole tithes remained unused, so he decided to plant the place with trees.
The very first tenants of the garden were acacias and wild chestnuts, many of which can still be seen in the garden today. Very quickly the city garden, in 1806 transferred by de Ribas to the city, became the most popular place of rest, especially among the elite. Here you could not only enjoy the beautiful nature and breathe the air, but also have dinner, learn the city news, listen to the orchestra, and in the pavilion of mineral waters to drink healing water. For many generations of Odessa residents, the garden became the center of social life.
And to this day this historical and cultural monument of Odessa remains the most favorite place for residents and the most interesting for guests of the city, because it is more than 200 years old!
In this park there are such sights of Odessa, which can’t be found anywhere else in the world. One of such outlandish things is the perfume fountain created by Frenchman Christophe Lacarène. Every hour the fountain brings even more fragrance into the atmosphere of the park by spraying specially created aromatic compositions.
The city garden is the main green attraction of Odessa, there are many century-old trees planted by de Ribas and de Richelieu. The history of the legendary Canadian poplar, which is believed to have been planted by Alexander Pushkin, is also interesting. The majestic tree is as fairytale-like as the plots of some of the famous writer’s works, its bifurcated trunk reminiscent of the inhabitants of the magical Lukomorye.
Another original «resident» of the park is the very 12th chair, which turned out to be precious, it appeared in the garden in 1999.
In 2007 the city garden of Odessa was reopened after restoration and reconstruction. This urban treasure was restored exactly to its original appearance. The 1806 fountain made of Carrara marble was also restored and became another of the attractions — in the evenings the fountain entertains the residents and those who came on vacation in Odessa with a real light and music performance. This fountain is a unique combination of history and modern technology, 
its appearance remained the same as it was 200 years ago, while unthinkable for that time functions were added.
In the city garden you can not only buy wonderful souvenirs, but also see the exhibition of paintings in the open air, many famous today’s artists started with the exhibition of their works here. For Odessa City Garden is the same as St. Andrew’s Descent for Kiev or Arbat for Moscow. This ancient place has a unique positive energy, energizing everyone who visits it and leaving a memory of itself for many years.