Franz Morandi: the Milanese architect who brought Brera's model to Odessa

Franz (Francesco) Morandi, an architect born in Cremona in 1811, studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera in Milan before moving to Odessa in 1839. He became a key figure in the city's urban and cultural development, drafting its new master plan approved by the Tsar in 1849. Morandi designed numerous buildings including the main synagogue (1850-59), oversaw expansions of Orthodox cathedrals and churches, and reshaped streets like the Aleksandrovsky Prospect. In 1865 he co-founded the Society of Fine Arts of Odessa, serving as vice-president, and established the Odessa Drawing School on May 30, 1865, modeled after Brera. The school initially lacked funding, with teachers working for free, and relied on donations. Morandi imported plaster casts and teaching materials from Brera, and in 1869 invited Milanese professor Luigi Iorini to teach. The school later became the Grekov Art School. Morandi also received the title of professor at the Academy of Bologna and was invited to jury the Milan Cathedral competition in 1886. He retired in 1890 and died in Fiume on October 23, 1894, but was buried in Odessa at the community's insistence.