Rebuilding Ukraine: Italy to fund restoration of Odesa’s historic monuments damaged by war

Italy will provide money for the reconstruction of the historical monuments of Odessa, damaged as a result of the war. Five key facilities are planned to be repaired with these funds.

This was announced by the head of the Department of Culture and European Integration of the Odesa City Council, Ivan Liptuga, in a comment for Ukrinform, Rubryka writes.

What is the problem?

In the historic center of Odesa, which is under UNESCO protection, 25 architectural monuments were damaged by a rocket attack during the night of July 23, due to Russian shelling.

One of the most significant sites affected was the Savior and Transfiguration Cathedral. Half of the cathedral lost its roof, with severe damage to the building's central pillars and foundation. All windows were shattered, and the decorative stucco was knocked down.

What is the solution?

In October, Ukraine and Italy signed an agreement to restore the Transfiguration Cathedral. Italy plans to assist in rebuilding the historic center of Odesa, which was damaged by Russian attacks last summer. The restoration plan is set for three years, with an estimated cost of €45 million.

How does it work?

According to Liptuga, the Ukrainian side has already prepared and agreed on a preliminary list of sites prioritized for restoration. This list includes:

• Odesa Philharmonic
• Museum of Western and Eastern Art
• Literary Museum
• Odesa Art Museum

A national monument at 6 Primorskyi Boulevard, where a UNESCO World Heritage Site Management Center is planned

The final list is yet to be approved by a supervisory board, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Reconstruction of Ukraine, Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Odesa Regional Military Administration, and local councils.

Liptuga emphasized that the memorandum ensures direct cooperation between Ukraine and Italy, bypassing UNESCO as an intermediary. This approach aims to accelerate the restoration process, as past experience with the Transfiguration Cathedral revealed that bureaucratic procedures caused delays.

The restoration project is planned over three years. Beyond restoring UNESCO-listed monuments, the initiative also includes developing a comprehensive management plan for Odesa's UNESCO sites and training specialists in cultural heritage restoration and preservation.