The majestic monument to Ekaterina II in Odessa was established at St. Catherine's square in 1900. This monument is also devoted to the followers of the Empress, the founders of the city - Potemkin, Zubov, de Ribas and de Volan. Monument to Catherine was dismantled in 20 years after the creation. Again, this monument was restored in 2007, which caused a political resonance in the society.
The Empress Ekaterina II in 1794 marked the construction of a new town by the sea, which today is one of the largest ports on the Black sea. As a token of their gratitude the residents decided to install the monument a little more than two centuries later. Once at the head of the government were the Bolsheviks, the monument dismantled, and the statues of de Ribas and de Volan, Zubov and Potemkin transferred to the Museum of local lore. The statue of Catherine II suffered – it was partially destroyed. A new monument was erected at St. Catherine's square in 1965, and its opening was timed to the 60th anniversary of the uprising of sailors of the battleship «Potemkin».
The decision to restore the monument dedicated to the founders of Odessa, was adopted by the city authorities in 2007. The Deputy of city Council Tarpan took upon himself the sponsorship support. The monument «To Potemkin’s sailors» moved to the Customs square, and the monument to Catherine II and companions returned to its original place. It is noteworthy that the main part of the monument - it's the original. However, the head of Catherine was necessary to make again.
The erection of a monument was under the threat of disruption of the Ukrainian nationalists, who arrived to Odessa. The violators have come into conflict with local law enforcement bodies and burned in the square the stuffed figure of the Empress. The solemn opening of the monument to Catherine II took place in October 2007, which was accompanied by a demonstration. The supporters of the erection of the monument and their opponents took part in the meeting. Nationalists opposed the erection of the monument due to the fact that the Empress became the «executioner of the Ukrainian people» and she dissolved Zaporozhskaya Sech.
