Gregory G. Marazli – "Honor more than honor".

The Greeks arrived in southern Palmyra almost immediately after its Foundation. Odessa provided them with everything they needed for comfortable living and doing business. Greek families flourished in the fertile soil and our city developed rapidly. At the beginning of the 19th century, every fifth inhabitant of southern Palmyra was of Greek origin. This is how South Palmyra becomes the most beautiful cultural center of the Greek world.

Life in Paris G. G. Marazli

Let's return to the magnificent mayor of Marazli, Grigory Grigoryevich. After the death of his father, the young man goes to Paris. His fine upbringing and good character never allowed him to lead a lavish life. Marazli was able to conduct his activities in such a way that he replenished his capital and enriched not only people, but also cities. This is an amazing property of character and purity of soul!

In Paris, he spent a remarkable 5 years. Receptions, new acquaintances, cultural meetings-all this was interesting to the young Marazli. The ease and good nature of the young man's character opened all doors for him. He was a welcome guest in the Greek Royal house, many crowned persons were always ready to welcome Marazli. Grigory Grigoryevich enjoys artistic, architectural, literary, and musical development. Exhibitions, museums, meetings with interesting people, scientific activities-all this brought up in Marazli an unusual taste for everything beautiful. He bought Antiques, paintings, literary publications, and sculptures. All the experience in culture and art in the future, he introduced in South Palmyra. All the best and unique he wanted to see on the streets of our city and this Marazli turned out with a vengeance.

Women Of Marazli

At the age of 25, under the sky of refined Paris, love comes to the young Marazli. Wealthy Spaniard Eugenie-Maria de Montijo - this was the future Queen of France. A brilliant, witty and beautiful girl captivated the young Marazli. The red-haired, blue-eyed girl loved to fence, swam very well, and was undoubtedly majestic in every way. An explosive love broke out between them! They matched each other like no one else and could have made a perfect couple. But the passionate love of the Emperor Napoleon III for Eugenie-Marie de Montijo changed the course of the lovers ' lives. Napoleon III with great tenacity sought the hand of Eugenie and won. She married him and soon gave birth to a son. But all the time, while Brazli was in Paris, they always had warm and friendly relations. It is at this time that Marazli gets the phrase: "to Give-so a million, to love-so a Queen." From this phrase, much can be said about the depth of the great Greek's soul.

The next Queen of Gregory Marazli is actress Sarah Bernhardt. Perhaps she would not even have taken place as an artist if her talent had not been considered by Marazli. It was said of Sarah Bernhardt at the time that everything about her was too much: too red, thick hair, too small a waist, too expressive eyes. Grigory Marazli supported this woman almost all her life and was her faithful friend. But only a woman from Odessa, a mystery woman, Maria Kich, was able to win his heart to the depths of her soul. A married lady, a noblewoman, original and eccentric took Gregory Marazli down the aisle. This was the most scandalous story at that time in southern Palmyra and not only, although they had been married for less than five years. When they were married, Marazli Gregory was 71 years old, and Maria – 45.

They never had children together. So with the death of Gregory Marazli, his male line was suppressed. And about the widow Mary to this day there are incredible rumors and legends about her later life. All information about it is very contradictory. To tell everything, you need a separate publication. It should be noted that the couple lived soul to soul. It really was a love that ended with the death of Gregory Marazli (1907). All his relatives (about 80 people) G. G. Marazli took into account in his will.

17 years as head of South Palmyra

Gregory Marazli, having worked up and gained experience, returns to South Palmyra. By that time, he was already a Mature man who was preparing for new feats in his life. Marazli begins its activity in Odessa under the Governor P. E. kotsebu as a simple official.

Inside, Mr. Marazli was always annoyed that he did not have a noble origin. Often the yellow press, which was then, made fun of this. But he was a proud enough man and didn't want to buy a title. After he received the position of privy Councilor, only then G. G. Marazli gets the right to enter the list of nobles of the Kherson province. It should be noted that Grigory Marazli had many good life teachers. The first, of course, is his father.

The Governor of South Palmyra, P. E. kotsebu (German by birth), gives new examples in life: the Mariinsky gymnasium appeared, the society of fine arts was opened, the Richelieu Lyceum was transformed into the Novorossiysk University, new houses are being built, streets are being improved, and much more. Odessa is growing and thriving every day. Under such a Governor, Grigory Marazli begins his career growth.

It is necessary to remember the Governor of southern Palmyra, N. A. Novoselsky, who raised the seaport after the Crimean war, intensively develops railway transport in the southern region, gives life to the Odessa water supply system with the best drinking water in Europe at that time, strengthens the city's coastline, there is a Sewerage system and much more. All this is happening in front of Grigory Marazli and with his direct participation. Working under the leadership of N. A. Novoselsky, Grigory Marazli is gaining more and more experience as a Manager. The head of Odessa was very often ill, then all the work was transferred to the hands of G. Marazli.

Marazli devotes himself entirely to public life and service in southern Palmyra. But with such a load, he still has time to attend balls and travel a lot. The most popular in Odessa were colorful Greek balls. One of the organizers was G. Marazli's mother. Everyone gathered in their best clothes, danced a lot, and socialized. Grigory Marazli loved to have fun and danced wonderfully, loved women, loved to give them gifts. All the women were at his feet, but he called himself an inveterate bachelor. He had so many interests in life that there was nothing left for his personal life.

In one of his trips to the Vatican, he was very interested in the statue of "Laocoon". Gregory Marazli tries to buy it, but Versailles, of course, refuses him this. Instead, another option was offered. A popular sculptor makes a custom-made statue of "Laocoon", only reduced in size by half. We can now admire this statue at the Odessa Archaeological Museum, the building of which was donated to the city of Marazli.

For two years, Marazli has held the position of Deputy head of South Palmyra. N. A. Novoselsky's illness only worsens, and soon he dies. The next 17 years, Grigory Marazli takes office. Some contemporaries of that time claimed that G. Marazli was an Amateur in education and did not receive a fundamental, capital education. If this is the case, then it can be called a high-flying dilettante! With his hard work and perseverance, he became an excellent steward and brought so much to our city that not everyone could. The history of Odessa does not know a man more generous, kinder, and a man who gave the city everything that was in his power.

It is very difficult to list all that South Palmyra and its inhabitants received during the time when Grigory Marazli was managing it. Streets were transformed, many beautiful buildings were built, strong economic ties between Odessa and other countries were created, we got our wonderful Opera house, many libraries were built (the library of Franco G. Marazli gave to the city), churches, houses for the poor and elderly. We owe it to Grigory Marazli that there is a monument to Catherine and the founders of South Palmyra, a monument to Alexander Pushkin on Primorsky Boulevard.

It is worth noting that Grigory Marazli is developing a laboratory that analyzes food products of Odessites. G. Marazli considered it a huge necessity to create a bacteriological station. In those days, cholera, plague, and other diseases claimed many lives. Then Gregory Marazli sponsors a trip of a talented young scientist Gamalei N. F. to Paris to Louis Pasteur for training and experience acquisition. On the return of Gamalei N. F., the first bacteriological station in Russia and the second in the world was opened in South Palmyra at 14 cable car Station. Then they began to build a large building on Staroportofrankovskaya street to further develop this direction in science.

It was in Odessa that the first vaccination of people against rabies was carried out. This was a huge breakthrough in Microbiology thanks to Gregory Marazli. The vaccine created in the city saved a large number of people from various diseases.

Now let's talk about sports in Odessa at Marazli. The initiators of the creation of a Bicycle society in the city were teachers of the Novorossiysk University, and they were immediately joined by G. Marazli.

The mayor is engaged in various sports and supports all initiatives in this direction. The first track appears in the city on Sadovaya street, the second track appears near Shevchenko Park. There are trainings, competitions, and even Bicycle costume balls! In winter, too, you didn't have to be bored. All tracks were filled with water and competitions in speed skating and figure skating began.

Automobile sport is developing in Odessa. The first electric car, of course, appears in Marazli. Yacht clubs are thriving, competitions are constantly held, in which Grigory Grigoryevich also takes part on his yacht. Many athletes come from different countries. Thus, South Palmyra becomes an international sports center.