Catherine the Great
See the coronation coach of Catherine the Great showcased in the Hermitage Museum
View artwork inside St. Petersburg's Hermitage
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"Either I die or I begin to rule"
- Catherine the Great
Peter the Great brought Russia into the 18th century
but it was Catherine the Great who decorated the
aristocracy with pageantry and ideals of the enlightenment.
Catherine was born in 1729 to the German prince
of Anhalt-Zerbst. At the age of 14 she was chosen
to be the future bride of Peter III, grandson of
Peter the Great. After Peter III came to the throne
in 1762, Catherine became Empress Consort of Russia.
Shortly thereafter Peter threatened to get rid of
her by sending her to a nunnery. But her lover,
Grigory Orlov, and his brothers orchestrated a secret
coup, overthrowing the unpopular Peter. The bloodless
coup succeeded and Catherine was proclaimed reigning
empress. Six months later Peter III died "accidentally"
by the hand of Alexei Orlov as a result of Alexei's
over-indulgence in vodka.
Historians of the time theorize that Catherine ordered the
murder, along with disposal of other potential
claimants to the throne (Ivan VI and Princess Tarakanova).
But today all historians agreed
that Catherine was probably not the mastermind behind the killing.
After ascending the throne, Catherine fellow in love
with the country of Russia; she immersed herself
in politics, culture and the European ideals of
the day. Although she ruled with absolute power, she was virtuous, just and rational. Catherine described
her 34-year reign as the 'thornless rose that never
stings'. In less than 20 years of her reign, her
court in St. Petersburg became the meeting place of
European nobility and celebrities.
During your Waterways
of the Czars cruise your stay in St. Petersburg
includes a visit to the magnificent Hermitage museum,
built by Catherine the Great to house her art collection.
Now's your chance to discover Catherine's Russia and
save $500 per cabin!
Waterways
of the Czars
11-Days / 11-Nights: Moscow to St. Petersburg
Click here for details.
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