The impressive colonnade in front of Vorontsov Palace in Odessa was built in the Tuscan order and originally surrounded the palace orangery, where tropical fruits and exotic flowers were grown.
This spot is the city's best viewpoint. They say that Count Mikhail Semyonovich Vorontsov, the Governor-General of Odessa, admired these views over his morning tea: from here it was easy to see which ships were arriving at the port and what cargo they were unloading.
According to legend, a couple of centuries ago there was a tavern near the colonnade, whose owner abetted the slave trade by getting visitors drunk and escorting them through a secret door in the foundation to the ships of Turkish slave traders.
Today, various entertainment events are held by the colonnade, concerts are organized, and light shows featuring famous DJs take place. This spot is especially popular on 2 September - on Odessa Day a chess tournament and a simultaneous exhibition are held here on a number of boards equal to the age of the city. The celebration ends with the cutting of a giant chess cake.
