Although Peter the Great's dream of establishing one of the greatest European capitals in Russia during the reign of Empress Elizabeth came true to a large extent, it was fully realized during the reign of Catherine the Great. Catherine the Great was able to introduce St. Petersburg to the world as one of Europe's greatest cities with a rich culture. However, if you're interested in St. Petersburg's history during the reign of Empress Elizabeth or the previous era, you can check our weblog.
After the death of Empress Elizabeth, Peter III became Emperor of Russia for a short period of six months. Peter III, a German descendant, had a military character. However, in his short time as the emperor of Russia, he could not leave much of a trace on the history of St. Petersburg for tourists of Russia tour. Of course, many of the changes he made to some Russian laws were used even during the reign of his wife and successor, Catherine the Great. Before becoming known as the Emperor of Russia, Peter III built his palace in the Oranienbaum imperial estate, which turned most of the region into a military base. Peter III Palace is perhaps the only surviving relic from the reign of Peter III on the St. Petersburg Tour, as most of the buildings on this region were made of wood and were later demolished, leaving only the Palace of Peter III and the entrance gate to the Oranienbaum. If you visit the Oranienbaum during your tour to Russia, you can visit these two structures. Peter III was assassinated in a coup led by his wife, Catherine the Great, with the support of the army and the court, just six months after his coronation in 1762. Catherine the Great was recognized as the new Empress of Russia.
Catherine the Great era is remembered as the golden age of St. Petersburg. It was during her reign when St. Petersburg truly acquired the title of a great European capital. Although her reign started with a coup against her husband, she had always wanted to be remembered fondly Instead of someone who forcibly took power from her former husband. That's why the Empress followed the principles of the Enlightenment philosophers. Like Peter the Great, Catherine the Great also knew that she needs to bring Western culture into Russia to increase the quality of life among people. During her reign, many artists were invited to Russia to bring that culture with them, and many Russian artists were sent to Europe to learn and became master themselves. Among the artists who had entered St. Petersburg by invitation from the Empress, we can mention the French sculptor Etienne Maurice Falconet, who was commissioned to design the most famous monumental sculpture of Peter the Great, the Bronze Horseman. Tourists who have visited St. Petersburg during their tour to Russia can find this magnificent sculpture on Senate Square. Since Catherine the Great didn't have any blood connection to the Romanov family, she used this opportunity to strengthen her virtually non-existent relationship to predecessors on the throne by writing the phrase: "To Peter the Great from Catherine the Second." The reign of Catherine the Great was also a turning point in the architecture of St. Petersburg. During this period, St. Petersburg moved from Rococo and Baroque architecture to neoclassical architecture. One of the most famous neoclassical examples of this period is the Marble Palace, built by order of Catherine the Great. Catherine the Great also had a keen interest in neoclassical architecture. Although Catherine the Great had plans to claim his favorite grandson, Alexander I, as her successor, died before announcing it; therefore, his son, Paul I became the next emperor after her death in 1796 at the age of 67.
Although the desire to be remembered fondly was an excellent motivation, Empress Cathrine II genuinely cared about art, culture, and education. Catherine II's art gallery, each of which she collected, formed the Hermitage Museum basis. Of course, until the death of Catherine the Great, only she and a few people close to her, the royal family, and her guests were allowed to visit that gallery. Today, the Hermitage State Museum has become one of Russia's main tourist attractions, which is undoubtedly visited by most of the tourists of Russia tour during their travel to St. Petersburg. Catherine the Great also gave great attention to art and education. During her reign, she ordered the construction of an individual building for the Imperial Academy of Arts, and she laid the foundation stone for the construction. Today, the Academy of Arts has become one of the top Russian art academies. Also, it hosts a remarkable art museum, one of the tourist attractions of the Russian tour in St. Petersburg.
During the reign of Catherine the Great, she was surrounded by prominent figures in art, literature, and military figures. That is why her monument is considered one of the most famous monuments in St. Petersburg, and many even recognize it as one of the tourist attractions of St. Petersburg on tour to Russia. This monument is located in Ostrovsky Square and was designed by Mikhail Mikeshin. In this memorial statue, you can see Catherine the Great standing in her royal dress surrounded by poets, artists, politicians, and prominent military figures at her court. Where to place this monument may be the best choice for Catherine the Great. The memorial is surrounded by the Alexandrinsky Theater, the National Library, and the Theater Museum. Ostrovsky Square recognizes as one of the cultural centers of Russia on the St. Petersburg Tour.
Among the buildings left over from the reign of Catherine the Great, many examples can be found in the architectural attractions of the city on the Russian tour. Among these examples is the Marble Palace designed and built by Antonio Rinaldi at the behest of the Empress for her favorite Count Grigory Orlov. One of the first examples of neoclassical architecture in St. Petersburg, this palace is known as one of the main tourist attractions of the St. Petersburg tour. Of course, there are other examples such as Tauride Palace, the Grand Palace in Gatchina, and other examples of particular importance on the Tour to St. Petersburg. If you want to learn about each of these St. Petersburg attractive places or learn tips about how to travel to Russia you can always check our weblog.
