Attractions of Odesa region

The main exposition of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Museum of Local Lore is housed in a one-story building in the Empire style, built in the XIX century for the merchant and mayor Mykhaylo Femilidi.

In several halls visitors can get acquainted with the ancient and medieval history of the Northern Black Sea Coast, the history of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi of the XIX and early XX centuries, the nature of the region.

Presented are finds from the burial complex of the Chernyakhiv culture, original household items and art from Ancient Greece, a numismatic collection, samples of edged weapons, flintlock pistols, authentic handwritten materials of 19th-century Swiss colonists, a unique collection of embroidered towels, etc.

In the next building there is an ethnographic museum, which introduces the traditions of the peoples of the region.

The Bolhad Historical and Ethnographic Museum was opened in 1961 on a public basis. In 1968 it received the status of a people`s museum. In 1989 it became the ethnographic department of the Odesa Historical and Local Lore Museum and was named the "Historical and Ethnographic Museum".

The museum's collections reflect the ethnography of the peoples of Southern Ukraine, in particular, the national costumes of the Bulgarians, Gagauz, Albanians, Ukrainians, Moldovans, Jews, Romanians, Turks, as well as copper and clay utensils of the late 19th century are presented for viewing. Archaeological finds of the 3rd-2nd millennium BC are also exhibited.

A separate hall is dedicated to the history of the founding of the city of Bolhrad, which is inextricably linked with the name of the plenipotentiary governor of Bessarabiya, governor-general of the Novorossiya Territory, Ivan Inzov. The museum's exposition contains materials dedicated to this military and statesman.

Other sections present old postcards, photographs, souvenirs, jewelry, various tools and other exhibits that introduce the folk crafts and trades of the peoples living in Bessarabiya.

The museum building houses the Center for Bulgarian Culture.

The Bread Museum in Odesa was opened in 2008 on the occasion of its 10th anniversary by "Odeskyi korovai" on the basis of the bakery No. 4. In 2009, the museum received the status of a "People's Museum".

The museum exposition introduces visitors to the history of the development of bread baking in the Odesa region and the history of the creation and operation of the bakery enterprises "Odeskyi korovai".

The museum stores documents, photographs and other materials related to bread baking, about the activities of the bakery factories. Some of the materials are copies from the city archive, private collections of citizens and the local history museum. Thematic stands collect unique materials: decrees of the mayors of Odesa from the end of the 18th century, the Statutes of the bakery enterprise, old recipes and technologies for making bread, documents and photographs from the period of World War II and the post-war period.

The Museum of Bread systematically organizes thematic exhibitions: "Bread of War", "Easter Pastries", "Christmas Baking", etc.

Winery of the Marquise Christophe Lacarin, Chateau Lacarin is located in the middle of vineyards near the famous wine village of Shabo near Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi. On this place once was the estate of Swiss winemakers who came in 1822 to revive Bessarabian viticulture and winemaking. Since then, the wine cellars and the utility rooms, which housed the tractor crew under Soviet rule, have been preserved.

Now “Chateau Lacarin” appears as a refuge of peace, far from the worries where nature wins: horses, goats, sheep graze everywhere, dogs run, cats bask in the sun. Marianna Lacarin, Christoph’s wife, prepares wonderful meals using natural products from the farm. And the winemaker himself, like a true Frenchman, enjoys spending time with guests at the table, talking about life, wine and business. And then leads them to his huge wine cellar, where he demonstrates the process of making wine and champagne, carefully making sure that the glasses do not remain empty.

Guests are also offered table d’hote-style lunches, which include a full range of traditional Bessarabian cuisine from local products.

Excursions with tastings are held in the warm season. In the rain and cold season - in a spacious living room with a fireplace decorated with paintings and antiques. Guests can enjoy a variety of wines accompanied by pate, goat cheese and homemade bread.

After the first tasting and communication with the winemaker, guests go to inspect the vineyard by UAZ cabriolet (if the group is small) or in the trailer of the tractor "Belarus". Upon return, guests go down to the wine cellar, where they continue to taste wine directly from the wine tanks. It is here that the Marquis de Lacarin tells and shows how he makes brut nature champagne, using the ancient French technology "Dom Perignon", and guests taste several types of champagne, helping the Marquis in the process of disgorging.

"Chateau Lacarin" is a participant in the project "Wine and Taste Route of Ukrainian Bessarabia".

The Museum of Clean Drinking Water is located in the picturesque park of the city of Biliaivka in the premises of the House of Culture. The museum opened in 1985 thanks to the efforts of local enthusiasts - Hryhoriy Lyakhivsky, Albert Ulyanovsky and Fedir Kratofil.

It is in Biliaivka that the Dniester water treatment plant is located, which is the heart of the Odesa water supply system and supplies drinking water to Odesa and other regions of Southern Ukraine.

The exposition of the Museum of Clean Water is located in several halls. The first hall “History of the Dniester Station and the Odesa Water Supply System” tells the story of the construction of the Odesa Water Supply System, to which the Dniester Station supplies water. It contains unique materials from the entire history of the station, which are recorded in numerous photos, magazines and documentation. Visitors can view a mini-replica of the Dniester station, the “slow filter” chambers used here at the beginning of the 19th century, a 100-year-old water receipt, and a model of a steam engine from the legendary “Cuckoo”.

The “Ukrainian Svitlytsya” hall recreates the appearance of a traditional Biliaivka dwelling of past centuries - a reed roof, a stove, and authentic household items.

Among the exhibits in the “Boats of Biliaivka and the World” hall are a prominent Cossack seagull and a local 100-year-old boat on which Biliaivka residents went out onto the river in search of fish. The pride of the exposition is a world map, to which mini-replicas of all the famous national boats of the world are gradually being added (Italian gondola, Indian canoe, Chinese junk, etc.).

The “Gallery of Works of Local Masters” exhibition hall presents an exhibition and sale of works by local artists and sculptors. Here you can see the works of the world-famous artist Valeriy Syrov, who has lived and worked in Biliaivka for many years, sculptor Oleksandr Kovalenko, artists Lyudmila Shumlyanska, Oleksandra Bohachenko, Alla Koshovenko, Yevheniya Dombrova (Chorna), Oksana Serhiyenko. Some works can be purchased.

The "Time Capsule" exhibition hall houses a large collection of watches (over 200 exhibits).

The collection of the Museum of Clean Water in Biliaivka is constantly being expanded with new halls and exhibits. In 2022, a new exhibition “Water in Nature” was opened - an educational and scientific overview of the Dniester ecosystem and the ecological aspects of water.

Odesa cultural and health complex "Nemo" is located in the center of the city, on the beach "Lanzheron ".

Includes a dolphinarium, an oceanarium and a hotel. Opened in 2005 for International Children's Day.

The complex meets international standards, keeping marine mammals meets all conventions and requirements. The large demonstration hall is open in the warm season and can accommodate up to 900 spectators (closed in winter, it can accommodate 600 spectators). Visitors are offered swimming with dolphins, dolphin therapy sessions.

The exposition of the oceanarium consists of two departments. The aquarium features inhabitants of fresh and sea water, more than 100 species of fish and more than 50 species of invertebrates.

The basis of the exotarium was Serhiy Duz's long-term collection, which includes more than 40 species of amphibians and reptiles and more than 60 species of terrestrial invertebrates, as well as one of the best collections of tropical butterflies in Ukraine, which includes more than 1,000 specimens.

The ruins of the once luxurious palace of the Dubecky-Pankeyevs on the shore of the pond on the Baraboy River attract the attention of everyone who drives along the Chisinau highway through Vasylivka. This manor house is called the "Wolf's Lair" because of the extraordinary figure of one of its former residents.

The estate in Vasylivka was founded in 1845 by Major General Vasyl Dubetsky. According to some sources, the construction of the palace was completed in 1854. It is possible that the architect was the author of the Potomkin Stairs, Odesa architect Frants Boffo. In terms of beauty, the manor house, as they say, was not inferior to the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. It was surrounded by a park with fountains and exotic trees.

At the end of the 19th century, the manor was bought from the descendants of Dubetsky by the Tavry merchant Kostyantyn Pankeyev, who moved to Odesa from Kakhovka. His son Serhiy also lived here, who went down in history as the "Wolf Man", one of the most famous patients of the founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud.

The Dubecky-Pankeyevs palace building did not survive the revolution and the Soviet-Ukrainian war, but the ruins are well preserved.

The first snail eco-farm in the Odesa region, "Bessarabia Snails", was founded in 2016 in the village of Safyany near Izmail by local entrepreneurs Andriy Shyrenkov and Serhiy Shulha. The farm is located in an ecologically clean area, on the shore of Lake Safyany in the lower reaches of the Danube.

Edible snails of the European breed Helix aspersa Muller are grown here on natural feed, without using any chemicals. A full production cycle is organized here - from eggs to semi-finished products suitable for transportation and ready-made dishes that can be tasted right on the spot.

For guests of the eco-farm "Bessarabia Snails", excursions are held, during which they show the snail brood chamber in an old village house, where snails lay their eggs, as well as premises for breeding, growing and fattening snails.

The farm has a tasting room with a panoramic view of Lake Safyany, where you can taste snail dishes in cold weather. And during the summer heat, large open gazebos are better suited for tastings. If desired, visitors can organize fishing, hold master classes. There is a playground for children.

Ecofarm "Bessarabia Snails" is a participant in the project "Wine and Taste Route of Ukrainian Bessarabia".

The Embroidery Museum was created in her house by Nina Hryshchuk, a resident of the village of Nehrove. The museum's exposition is located in five rooms, which present embroidered paintings by famous artists, towels, napkins, sheets, carpets, and colorful pillows.

Nina Hryshchuk began embroidering at the age of 12. Her mother taught her to embroider. She passed on her skills to her daughter Olha and granddaughter Dariya. The craftswoman is happy to conduct master classes and share embroidery techniques with museum visitors.

The Embroidery Museum of the village of Nehrove is a branch of the Nadiia Local Lore Museum.

The Novoselivka Village People`s Ethnographic Museum "Casa Perintyaske" was created in the village of Novoselivka in 2010 on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the village's founding. It is a structural unit of the municipal institution "Novoselivka Village House of Culture".

The museum's exposition recreates the traditional life of a Moldovan village, since Novoselivka is a center where ethnic Moldovans live harmoniously and with dignity. Many documents and photographs are presented that tell about the history of the village and its prominent personalities, traditional household items, tools, antique products, etc.

Master classes are held on weaving national Moldovan carpets and rugs. Anyone can learn to weave carpets from woolen threads in various techniques and rugs from strips cut from fabric in the "nitsurka" technique on looms installed in the "Casa Perintyaske" museum.

School Ethnographic Museum "Ukrainian House" is located on the territory of Nerubaiske Academic Lyceum No. 1.

In the open air, an authentic Ukrainian mud house is presented here, which corresponds to the life of Ukrainian peasants of the 19th century. The center of the old house is a Ukrainian stove with a traditional painting of the Tree of Life at that time.

The exposition presents embroidered Ukrainian towels, various ceramic products and tableware brought from the east and west of the Odesa region.

Walking through the rooms of the museum, you can see how Ukrainians lived and what they did in the old days, how they spun on manual spinning wheels, how carpets, paths and other household items were made by hand.

The Ethnographic Museum of Bulgarian Culture "Голямата къща" (from Bulgarian - "big room, living room") is located on the second floor of the House of Culture of the village of Kamchyk.

The museum's exposition is located in three spacious halls and is thematically divided into several sections: a reduced copy of the house of Bulgarian settlers with an internal layout of three rooms, "Bulgarian Weaving", "Land Cultivation and Agricultural Tools", "History of the Resettlement to Kamchyk", "Rites and Traditions of Kamchykans", "Volga and Danube Bulgaria", "Silver Ancient Women's Jewelry", "Money of Bessarabia", "Authentic Clothing - Northern (Northern Costume) and Southern Bulgaria (Rhodope Costume)".

During a tour of the museum, visitors are introduced to the traditions and folk rituals of Kamchych people - the intricacies of weddings, family relations between daughters-in-law and mothers-in-law, the peculiarities of respectful treatment of men as heads of families, preparation of inheritance for girls, etc.

Organized tourist groups are met with a Hayda (a Bulgarian musical folk instrument), a tasting of traditional Bulgarian cuisine and a master class on the Bulgarian folk dance "Horo".

In addition, in the museum, the collectives of the House of Culture show seasonal Bulgarian folk rituals for guests.

In 2020, the "Голямата къща" museum was included in the Program of Activities within the framework of the implementation of the UNESCO Convention "For the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage".

The Experimentarium is the first branch of the Odesa Museum of Interesting Science. It opened at the end of January 2024 in the Atrium shopping center after the destruction of the main space of the Museum of Interesting Science on Shevchenko Avenue in the summer of 2023 by a Russian missile strike.

The museum team managed to save almost all of its exhibits, with the exception of special rooms, and after only 7 months, the Museum moved part of its exposition to a new location and continued its work as an Experimentarium with 23 exhibits of the collection. Now everyone who wants to can visit this space in the Atrium shopping center, which helps children to distract themselves from the war for 1.5-2 hours with scientific experiments.

If in other museums you can't even touch the valuable exhibits, then in the Experimentarium you can not only touch, check, feel and see everything in action. Both children and adults can conduct interesting experiments and unusual experiments.

The main task of the Experimentarium is to show schoolchildren and students that even the most difficult tasks and the longest formulas can be exciting, if you just look at them from a different angle.

The Experimentarium aims to teach subjects of the natural cycle: physics, chemistry, biology, geology, astronomy, mathematics and many other fields of knowledge.

On April 12, 2024, the Museum of Interesting Science resumed its work at a new location in the Primorsky district of Odesa.

Cheese dairy "Shchedra Okolytsia"  is a small experimental family production with modern equipment and its own cheese cellar. The company manufactures traditional and original cheeses and dairy products.

The family cheese dairy is located in a unique place - near the beginning of one of the famous Trayan's Walls in the village of Tabaky on the outskirts of Bolhrad.

Within the framework of the project "Wine and Taste Route of Ukrainian Bessarabia", the founders of the enterprise Halyna and Petro Kurdov aim to preserve and popularize traditional Bessarabian cheeses, to restore forgotten recipes.

The cheese dairy "Shchedra Okolytsia" conducts excursions with visits to production shops and basements, where cheeses ripen in the cold. Guests are shown the production process of cheese making, during which all operations are carried out manually. After the tour, guests can be offered a tasting of finished products and workshops on the production of cheese.

The Odesa Football Museum is located in the Chornomorets Stadium complex. Opened in 2012 after the reconstruction of the stadium.

The exposition tells about the history of Odesa football and FC "Chornomorets" since the founding of the club in 1936. Photos of all football players who played for the club, coaches, the first matches with the participation of the Chornomorets team are presented.

The form of players of different periods, boots, goalkeeper gloves, balls, etc. is of the greatest interest.

During the tour you can visit the bowl of the stadium, locker rooms, technical areas, conference hall.