This is a unique landmark of old Odessa, one that will never exist in its original form again: the Odessa funicular.
I’m sure older Odessans (the much older ones) recall it with nostalgic memories.
The funicular was built in 1902, designed by Odessa engineer M. Pyatnytsky.
It was a single-track line with a passing loop, with two carriages moving up and down.
The track was about 100 meters long.
There was an observation bridge above the road, and the stone station was located at the bottom on Primorska Street.
Inside, there was a ticket office, an office, and a platform.
At the top, there was a wooden pavilion.
The carriage going down helped pull the other carriage up.
Perhaps that’s why the descent cost only 2 kopecks, while the ascent was 3.
The carriages weren’t small — they could hold up to 35 passengers.
They were brought from Paris, and the cables for movement were made at the Odessa rope factory.
Interestingly, this engineering marvel wasn’t officially called a funicular but rather a "Lift Electric Machine."
The funicular was constructed under the guidance of engineer V. Rakovsky, based on M. Pyatnytsky’s design.
(By the way, back then the title of engineer sounded prestigious and was well-paid.)
The lift machine, as it was called, survived three wars, a revolution, and “no less difficult peacetime.”
Here’s how it was described in "Odessa News" of that time (in translation by the author).
«Odessa is being rebuilt. A number of the city's most urgent production facilities have been restored. Among the revived ‘dead’ is the lift road connecting the port with Feldman Boulevard (as it was called at the time, now known as Primorsky Boulevard), which began operation yesterday. The small, freshly painted carriages again crawled along the iron tracks, greeted by the public’s cheerful ‘hurrah.’ Eight years ago, during the Civil War, the lift was out of operation, and a resourceful citizen had settled in the ticket office, who still hadn’t been evicted.
The need for a lift has long been overdue. The figures prove this: yesterday 400 passengers were transported uphill, 700 down. The city is being revived.”
“Izvestia”, September 21, 1926.
From 1947 until the late 1960s, the funicular continued to serve its purpose, delighting both visitors and local Odessans (especially the younger generation).
However, time eventually took its toll.
In the late 1960s, city leaders decided not to spend more on repairs to the funicular and instead opted to build a modern escalator in its place.
In November 1967 the funicular was dismantled.
By 1970 , an escalator had started operating in its place.
An escalator, by definition, is a transportation device consisting of a moving walkway with steps, designed to carry people between different levels in public buildings.
At that time, the escalator was a rather stylish and progressive engineering structure.
However, its problematic design, coupled with a lack of spare parts, meant that within ten years, the escalator only operated in the upward direction,
while the other half was used for spare parts (now referred to as technical cannibalism).
But even those parts didn't last long.
In1997, the escalator was finally shut down and dismantled.
That same year, a decision was made to restore the Odessa funicular.
Restoration work began in 1998,
and despite all modern technical resources, the new funicular started operating only in September 2005.
That is, with all the modern technical means, technologies, and materials, it took more than 7 years to restore it.
Interestingly, it’s not a "classic" funicular in the traditional sense, but rather two independent inclined lifts. However...
A funicular is a rail transport system with cable traction designed to carry passengers or goods over short distances on steep slopes. It is specialized for use in areas with difficult terrain.
For more detailed information, you can visit the Wikipedia page about it.
The new funicular’s cabins are smaller—holding 12 people—but the view from them is excellent.
Overall, the modern funicular looks rather poor compared to the charm of the original Odessa funicular.
However, perhaps in 100 years, it will be seen differently. Let’s see (this is probably a joke).
But the most important thing is that the funicular is back in Odessa!
One more detail: in the early 20th century, a bridge was built above the funicular to connect the stairs to Mykolayivsky Boulevard, offering a magnificent view of the port and Odessa Bay.
There was also such a bridge above the escalator.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t rebuilt.
Instead, a passage was constructed beneath the funicular, which is also a good thing.
This is what the Mykolayivsky Boulevard stairs (later known as the Potemkin Steps) looked like 100 years ago.
On the left — the funicular's lift and observation platform.
One more detail: in the early 20th century, a bridge was built above the funicular to connect the stairs to Mykolayivsky Boulevard, offering a magnificent view of the port and Odessa Bay.
There was also such a bridge above the escalator.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t rebuilt.
Instead, a passage was constructed beneath the funicular, which is also a good thing.
This is what the Mykolayivsky Boulevard stairs (later known as the Potemkin Steps) looked like 100 years ago.
You’ve read the post to the end. I hope you enjoyed it.
If you're interested in the history of Odessa, please support the project (click on the piggy bank).
Friends!
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The author must ask for help, as without it, this work is doomed.
I hope, after donating to Ukranian Armed Forces, you can support us too.
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The author’s project to recreate the history of Odessa has been running for over 6 years.
During this time, a lot has been done; much more is planned.
As you may have noticed, the project pages don’t contain any advertising materials that often interfere with reading enjoyment.
Unfortunately, after the full-scale russian invasion, the project has required more effort and resources.
The author must ask for help, as without it, this work is doomed.
I hope, after donating to Ukranian Armed Forces, you can support our project too.
A truthful history is also a guarantee of victory.
Thank you for your help!
Funicular ticket, 2015
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