Depaldo Stairs, Stone stairway in Taganrog, Russia.
The Depaldo Stairs are a stone staircase with approximately 110 steps that connects the upper part of Taganrog to the seafront of the Sea of Azov. They run from Turgenevskaya Street down to Pushkin Embankment, serving as a direct passage between different elevations of the city.
The stairs were designed in 1823 by Swiss architect Francesco Boffo and funded by Greek merchant Gerasim Depaldo to solve a practical problem. They were built to help the growing population move more easily between residential areas and the harbor, becoming a key part of the city's infrastructure.
The stairs link areas where people have lived and shaped the city's identity over many generations. Walking down them connects you to neighborhoods that remain central to how locals experience Taganrog today.
The stairs are easily reached on foot and offer a direct route between the city center and waterfront without crossing major roads. Sturdy footwear is recommended since the steps and surrounding areas can have varying conditions depending on weather.
A sundial sits near the stairs and marks the passage of time as people move between the city's upper and lower levels. This detail from the 1800s often goes unnoticed by visitors, even though it adds character to the descent.
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