Archaeological excavations near the Duke of Richelieu monument on Primorsky Boulevard in Odessa in 2025 yielded significant historical discoveries, revealing the city's multilayered history. Archaeologists discovered stone foundations and defensive walls dating back to the 18th century. These have been tentatively identified as parts of the Yeni-Dunya (Khadzhibey) fortress, proving the existence of a developed stone fortification prior to the official founding of Odessa in 1794. Archaeologists hope to confirm the 2025 hypothesis and locate the precise location of the legendary Ottoman castle on a modern map of Odessa. The expedition is led by the Institute of Archaeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Ushynsky South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University.