In July 2023, 64 cultural heritage objects in the historic center of Odesa were damaged by enemy attacks

These buildings are over 100–150 years old. Olena Vorobiova, the head of the cultural heritage protection regional department, told this at a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine – Odesa.

“Seven monuments have sustained significant damage: the roofs have been destroyed, the main facades and the original carved window openings have been mutilated, and window panes have been shattered. Partial damage was fixed at 19 sites: broken glass in window openings and balcony openings, distorted carpentry. There are monuments whose interiors have also suffered significant damage… Another 38 monuments have suffered minor damage,” – the official added.

She added that among the affected facilities are the Odesa Literary Museum, Odesa Museum of History and Local Lore, Odesa Museum of the Navy, Odesa Academic Theater of Musical Comedy named after M. Vodianyi, Odesa Regional Theater for Young Viewers, Odesa Museum of Western and Eastern Art, Odesa State Music Lyceum named after Stolyarskyi, and the House of Scientists. Literary Museum, Museum of the Sea Fleet, Museum of Western and Eastern Art. The Transfiguration Cathedral also suffered significant damage.

Olena Vorobyova added that damage assessment committees were set up in each of the mentioned institutions, relevant visual inspection reports were drawn up and approximate amounts of damage were calculated. 

“The NGO Museum for Change, together with international partners, has provided powerful financial assistance for the conservation of damaged buildings of cultural institutions as a result of shelling in July 2023. The assistance was provided to the Odesa Literary Museum, Odesa Museum of History and Local Lore, Odesa Museum of the Sea Fleet, and Odesa Archaeological Museum,” – the official said.

She also noted that there are currently 4495 cultural heritage sites registered in the region. Of these, 1306 are historical monuments, 1679 are archaeological, 1425 are architecture and urban planning, 78 are monumental art, six are science and technology, and one is landscape art. In total, there are 83 monuments of national importance of various types.

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