About This Resource
The Potemkin Stairs (also known as Primorsky Stairs) are a giant stairway in Odessa, Ukraine consisting of 192 steps. Built between 1837 and 1841, the stairs connect the city center with the port area. The stairs feature a clever optical illusion: when viewed from the top, only the landings are visible, creating the impression of a smooth ramp. When viewed from the bottom, only the steps are visible. The stairs gained worldwide fame from their feature in Sergei Eisenstein's 1925 film The Battleship Potemkin. They remain one of Odessa's most recognizable landmarks and a symbol of the city.
