The stairs were built using a forced perspective technique where the width of the steps is 12.5 meters at the base and 21.6 meters at the top, creating an optical illusion that makes the stairway appear longer when viewed from below.
The original design included 200 steps, but eight were covered during the expansion of the port area, reducing the count to the current 192.
During the filming of the famous baby-carriage scene in 'Battleship Potemkin', the sequence was filmed over several days, though it appears as a continuous event on screen.
The base of the stairs was originally washed by the sea, but land reclamation and harbor development have since separated the structure from the water's edge.
The Potemkin Stairs are a monumental stairway in Odessa, Ukraine, serving as the city's formal entrance from the Black Sea. Constructed between 1837 and 1841 to a design by architect Francesco Boffo, the structure features 192 steps that use forced perspective to appear uniform in width despite the base being wider than the top. Originally known as the Richelieu Steps, they gain their current name from Sergei Eisenstein’s 1925 film, 'Battleship Potemkin'. The stairs descend 27 meters and extend 142 meters in length. They are composed of dark green sandstone brought from Trieste, Italy. At the summit stands the Duke de Richelieu monument, the first statue erected in the city in 1828. The stairs connect the city's historic center to the Odesa Seaport. Today, the stairs remain a central gathering point and symbol of the city's maritime heritage.
From the very bottom center looking up to emphasize the forced perspective, or from the landing at the top looking down toward the harbor.
Walk down the stairs to enjoy the panoramic view of the Black Sea port and walk back up to appreciate the illusion of the staircase's length.
Visit the adjacent Istanbul Park for a more relaxed setting and views of the stairs from the side.
Attempting to count the steps while climbing to verify the number as it can be distracting in crowded conditions.
Wear comfortable walking shoes due to the uneven stone surfaces and number of steps.
