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Teshchin bridge in Odessa. Author Paganel.

Top 10 Facts about Mother-In-Law Bridge, Odessa

The Mother-in-law bridge was built in 1968. By Muscorites architect Rachel Vladimirsk脿ya and engineer Kirienko. They wanted to build it for the 50th anniversary though they were late.

It is built over a ravine to connect two roads in the town of Odessa. The bridge is the longest (130M), highest(30M), and the narrowest bridge in Odessa. Designed and built by order of M.Sinista the first Secretary of the regional party committee in Odessa.

Let鈥檚 learn more about mother -in-law

1. It was the Site of the Conflict of Bloody Samaritans

On March 9, 1965, police attacked the civil rights movement, and demonstrators. They attacked them with horses, clubs, and tear gas.

The demonstrators were trying to March to the State capital. On March 21, the demonstrators crossed the bridge again. They walked to the capital building.

2. Hanging of the Padlock on the Mother-in-law bridge

The mother-in-law bridge is continually covered by padlocks placed by couples deeply in love. The tradition of hanging padlocks on bridges and fences is known as the European tradition. Hanging the padlocks on the mother-in-law bridge symbolizes the permanence of relationships.

This is indicated by the couple after they lock the padlock they throw away the key into the sea. From time to time the padlocks are cut since they increase the weight of the bridge.

3. The Grand Opening of the Installation of Loving Hearts took Place at the Bridge

On October 21, 2011, at the Mother-in-law鈥檚 bridge, the grand opening of the installation 鈥淟oving Heart鈥� took place. It happened on the side of Gogol Street.

This was to symbolise the opening of a new landmark. That was donated to the city by the company 鈥淜YIVSTAR鈥�.

4. Many Activities Happened at the Mother-in-law bridge

The summer Olympics torch happened across the bridge. On its way to the summer Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Andrew Young who was an ambassador to the United Nations carried the Olympic flame across the bridge. He was accompanied by many public officials.

This was a symbol of showing the progress of race relations. In March 2015 Barack Obama delivered a speech at the foot of the bridge.

5. There are Popular Legends about how the Bridge got its Current name

Some say that M. Sinitsa was very fond of his mother-in-law鈥檚 pancakes, and his mother-in-law and son-in-law allegedly lived on different boulevards.

His son-in-law did not like to walk the roundabout way across the Sabaneev Bridge. Comrade Sinitsa came up with the idea of building an expensive direct pedestrian bridge.

Others declare that men were thrown down from this bridge. This was after they were tortured by their mother-in-law, hence the name.

6. If you Stand on the Bridge for a while you can see that it Vibrates Slightly

This is because of the structure of the building. It is built entirely of reinforced concrete, without middle supports. It is flexibly extended between the two slopes.

 A study showed that it can withstand a crowd of demonstrators. It can also hold several vehicles weighing up to 8 tons. After construction, it was tested by starting up, trucks with sand.

If a strong wind blows, the bridge swings quite noticeably. Pedestrians can also swing it. This is when several people jump simultaneously on the middle span.

Every year, group jumps are arranged at the bridge by students of the Physics Department of Odessa University. They usually do this on the night before Physicist鈥檚 Day. Odessa residents celebrate the day on April 1.

7. The Bridge is Believed to be a Copy of the Grand Duchess

It is believed that the bridge is a small copy of the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge in Luxembourg. Indeed the structures are very similar.

 The Luxembourg one was built two years earlier. It is possible that the architect Rachel Vladimirskaya borrowed the idea from his Western European colleagues.

Charlotte鈥檚 Bridge is three times longer than Mother-in-law and is painted red. The locals call it the Rout Breck which means (Red Bridge). On the other hand, the Odessa bridge is white.

8. The Bridge Initially had a Different Name

 The first official name of the Mother-in-law Bridge was Komsomolsky. But only a few people knew it. That is what they used to call it in Soviet times.

 Formerly it was known as Zhvanetsky Boulevard then called Komsomolsky Boulevard. However, today neither one nor the other names appear anywhere.

9. It鈥檚 Rated as Top 10 Best Tourist Attractions

It鈥檚 the longest and widest bridge in Odessa. Most tourist attractions, this is because of their magnificent appearance whereby between the two ends it has no support.

It draws tourists from all over also due to its slight swings. Its shaking can be felt when standing on it. When people jump on it they feel the shaking.

People come from far to lock padlocks on the bridge mostly for couples and families.

10. The Bridge is Wheelchair Accessible

The bridge was built to be accessible even to the disabled. This was to bring no discrimination to those using the bridge. It makes the bridge to be family-friendly.

Its design was also made in such a way that it is also safe for children. This was done by ensuring that on the sides the spaces between the bars were made as small as possible

The spaces were to ensure a child does not fit through. This encourages people to visit from all over with their families.

The mother-in-law bridge is a fabulous destination for all. It would be memorable for one to leave a lock on the bridge. If you wish to visit the mother-in-law bridge and you are in the area, Heading from Primorska street, go to Vorontsov palace, and take a left. This will take you across the bridge and into old Odessa.