In 1803 Arman du Plessi Richelieu, the descendant of the famous cardinal Rishelieu, became the first governor of Odesa. Under his governance the city got the status of the one among the most developed trade cities in Europe;the theatre was built and the prestige high schools were opened ; the population of Odesa rose in 4 times. That's why locals honored him and considered the founder of Odesa city. After 11 years of the successful governance Rishelieu back to France, where he died, being 56 years old. Lanzheron, the best friend of Duke, organized a money gathering for building the monument. Vorontsov, the earl, who was the general governor in Novorossiysk at that time, ordered the project of the monument at the sculptor Martos. 
In 1803 Arman du Plessi Richelieu, the descendant of the famous cardinal Richelieu, became the first governor of Odesa. Under his governance the city got the status of the one among the most developed cities in Europe and became a big trade port; 
On  the 22th of April in 1828 (old style) the ceremonial opening of the monument happened among big quantity of people. The bronze statue of Duke, wearied in the Greece toga, is on the monument. Three brass bas-reliefs, symbolizing the agriculture, justice and trade, immortalize Duke's contribution to the development of Odesa. 

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