1000 Doors of Odessa chronicles the vanishing beauty of the city’s historic thresholds

Activists have launched a new project cataloguing the intricately carved doorways in the Ukrainian city of Odessa in a bid to preserve them for future generations.

Residents are being urged to submit photos of local treasures tucked away in buildings, courtyards, and side streets in different corners of the city.

The group’s Facebook page, 1000 Doors of Odessa, will save each image alongside its address and other forgotten details. Ultimately, the project will create a full digital and print catalogue of the historic thresholds, which activists say are quickly disappearing. Archivists have already reserved hundreds of photographs, but say they represent just a tiny percentage of what the city has to offer.

The team, which includes architecture groups 4City, Urban Inst., Arkhitechturi Odessi, and Moi Dom Odessa, are now planning to lead a renovation program for the doors and gateways involving local people, businesses, and officials.