The catacombs beneath the memorial are part of an extensive, labyrinthine network of limestone mines that stretches for over 2,500 kilometers.
During the occupation, the catacombs housed a complete partisan base, including medical stations, barracks, and classrooms.
The temperature inside the catacombs remains consistently cool year-round, regardless of the surface weather.
Many of the tunnels are naturally formed and date back to the 19th century when limestone was extracted for building Odesa's early architecture.
The complex was officially opened in 1969 to preserve the memory of the Odesa partisan detachment.
Subterranean air quality and humidity are strictly monitored to ensure the preservation of original graffiti and inscriptions left by partisans.
The Memorial Complex-Museum Partisan Glory is located at the entrance to the Odesa Catacombs in Nerubayskoe. It commemorates the Soviet partisan movement that operated in these underground tunnels during the Nazi occupation of Odesa in World War II. The site features an above-ground museum building and a preserved section of the subterranean network. Visitors can explore living quarters, weapons caches, and operational areas used by partisans between 1941 and 1944. The complex serves as a historical monument dedicated to resistance efforts in the Odesa region. It is one of the few places where the vast scale of the local limestone catacombs is integrated into a public-facing memorial. Exhibits display original artifacts recovered from the tunnels, including personal items, maps, and radio equipment.
The dramatic entrance to the catacomb tunnels featuring the memorial sculpture.
Wear comfortable, non-slip footwear suitable for uneven, damp ground.
Bring a light jacket as the temperature inside the tunnels is significantly lower than the outside ambient temperature.
Follow the designated paths strictly, as the surrounding catacomb network is vast and dangerous to explore without a guide.
Do not attempt to explore beyond the guided memorial sections into the unmapped catacombs.
Closed on Mondays.
Maintain a respectful, quiet demeanor as the site serves as a war memorial and burial place.
