Hotel «Passage» (Deribasovskaya, 33) can be called the most hospitable attraction of Odessa. This unique complex, located in the center of the historical part of the city, is one of the main architectural monuments of Odessa, and at the same time it properly fulfills the functions assigned to it from the very beginning — it is a house for guests of the city and the most beautiful shopping center.
The building of the hotel «Passage», built in 1898-1899 years, to this day has remained almost in pristine condition, except for a couple of details. Architect L.L. Vlodek embodied in it the best traditions of the world and unique features of Odessa architecture, giving South Palmyra one more amazing construction, adding to its appearance one more «zest» that everyone remembers. The «Passage» harmoniously combines the canons of plastic Art Nouveau, lush Baroque and graceful classics, making it one of the best buildings in the style of Odessa eclecticism.
It is interesting that before this hotel appeared at the intersection of Preobrazhenskaya and Deribasovskaja streets, there were two houses, the history of which is connected with famous personalities. In one of them until his death during 10 years (1842-1852) lived A.S. Pushkin’s brother Lev Sergeyevich. Levushka received in this house the most famous guests, such as N.V. Gogol, representatives of the intellectual elite. And in another house in 1858 lived N.I. Pirogov — an outstanding scientist, as evidenced by a commemorative plaque. Therefore, the place where the Passage Hotel has been standing for more than 110 years is rightfully considered important from the point of view of the city’s history.
The «Passage» owes its birth to the famous merchant M.Y. Mendelevich — he bought out the houses standing on this place and started a large-scale construction of a trade and hotel complex, and this endeavor immortalized his name. For a long time this complex was called «Mendelevich’s Passage». The beautiful four-storey building was erected in record time, it was so elegant, airy and luxurious that contemporaries said that Wlodek had built «a huge cream cake» for Mendelevich.
Now the Passage Hotel has 137 rooms of different classes, but for any visitor it will be a pleasant surprise that the stay in such an amazing building is equal to a very democratic sum.
The unique feature of the «Passage» is the glass-roofed atrium — an inner courtyard, which is a shopping complex. The beauty of the facade of the building pleases the eye, but the luxurious decoration of the atrium simply amazes. The abundance of skillfully executed stucco makes the visitor feel as if he is in a royal palace. Sculptural groups are made by S.I. Milman and T.L. Fishel so inspired that the atmosphere of the Passage can be compared even with Versailles itself!
Here and reminiscent of the calm but temperamental waters of the Black Sea gobies, shells, sea trident, and paying tribute to ancient culture figures of half-naked people involved in interesting plots, or obediently fulfilling their purpose holding the vaults atlantes, figures of Russians, Ukrainian Kazakhs and Chinese, dragons, fascinating ornaments and patterns. And all this is organically woven into the general concept, a single architectural idea, thanks to which the Passage atrium can be called a real museum of sculpture.
Other interesting details of the structure are the sculptures of Fortuna and Mercury — the guardians of this attraction, because they are often repeated, but the most original are made on the roof next to the name. Mercury sits on a steam train, while Fortuna sits on a ship.
For all visitors, vacation in Odessa is inextricably linked with the «Passage». Even if the guests of the city stay in other places, they hurry to see it, because it is one of the visiting cards of Odessa.
In the near future the Passage will be reconstructed. The tower over the main entrance that burned down in a fire in 1901 will be restored, the lost stucco on the Preobrazhenskaya side will be restored, and after the reconstruction it will be possible to contemplate the sights of Odessa not only from the windows, but also from the roof of the building, which the architects, without breaking the original appearance of the building, plan to turn into the best viewing platform of the city.