Since my first visit to Odessa one of the buildings which impressed me moste is "Passage". This is a 19 century shopping mall/hotel complex decorated in amazing baroque style. The polish architect Lev Vlodek built the Passage from 1898-1899. This fantastically decorated corridor is covered by glass roof while walls are covered with various sculptures.
One entrance still shows off beautiful ceiling mosaics in (to my eye) art deco style.
It’s amazing that all this was build during two years. The shopping mall's grand opening was January 23, 1900. The mall caught fire on October 31, 1901, and to the credit of Odessa fire brigade no one was hurt.
Unfortunately current shops do not fit these lavish place.
Next to the shopping mall is a hotel which was 200 years ago one of most luxurious. The hotel had 162 luxurious rooms with electric lights. The rooms had central heating. Today this is a two start hotel. More Passage photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/gordie26/PassageOdessa?authkey=Gv1sRgCNP7-6fdm9fO7AE&feat=directlink
One entrance still shows off beautiful ceiling mosaics in (to my eye) art deco style.
It’s amazing that all this was build during two years. The shopping mall's grand opening was January 23, 1900. The mall caught fire on October 31, 1901, and to the credit of Odessa fire brigade no one was hurt.
Unfortunately current shops do not fit these lavish place.
Next to the shopping mall is a hotel which was 200 years ago one of most luxurious. The hotel had 162 luxurious rooms with electric lights. The rooms had central heating. Today this is a two start hotel. More Passage photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/gordie26/PassageOdessa?authkey=Gv1sRgCNP7-6fdm9fO7AE&feat=directlink
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