Catherine the Great

Peter the Great founded St Petersburg. But the city gained much of its grandeur & splendour under the rule of Catherine the Great. St Petersburg is filled with stunning palaces, government buildings & churches, many of which were commissioned by her. It was her that transformed St Petersburg into one of Europe's grandest capitals.


Statue of Catherine the Great


At her heels are some of her renowned statesmen.. & 3 of her lovers. No kidding

Catherine was the daughter of a German Prince. At age 15, she went to Russia to marry PeterIII, the nephew & heir of Empress Elizabeth (daughter of Peter the Great) Catherine = Grand niece-in-law of Peter the Great.

The marriage proved unsuccessful — due to PeterIII's impotence and mental immaturity (he may not have consummated it for twelve years?!) While Peter took a mistress, Catherine carried on liaisons with a few nobilities of the Russian Court. She also became friends with the sister of her husband's mistress, who introduced Catherine to several powerful political groups that opposed her husband.

6 months after PeterIII ascended the throne, she overthrew him in a coup led by one of her then lovers. Poor PeterIII was then murdered shortly after.

Catherine the Great then ruled Russia for 34 years until her death at age 67 (longer than any Russian emperor) - the longest reign after the establishment of the Russian Empire in 1721. She was considered to be one of the greatest art collectors of all time. Her vast collections of painting forms the core of the present-day Hermitage collection.

AH FAT SALUTES HER!!

reference: Lonely Planet Russia & Belarus, 3rd edition