Politics
Catherine the Great
Addresses you can still visit
Every place in this city with a documented tie to this person.
Created here
Alexander Palace
This comparatively private palace became Nicholas II and Alexandra’s principal home, and Rasputin was received here as the empress increasingly trusted him to help the hemophiliac heir. After the February Revolution of 1917, the same domestic rooms became the imperial family’s first prison before their removal to Siberia.
Commemorated here
Bobrinsky Palace
The palace’s family history and collections commemorated the empress from whom the Bobrinsky line secretly descended.
Created here · 1768–1782
Bronze Horseman
Commissioned Falconet’s Bronze Horseman monument to Peter I.
Created here
Free Economic Society Building
Established/patronised the Free Economic Society (1765), Russia’s first learned NGO; she approved the charter, motto and funding for its Petersburg premises.
Created here
Hermitage Museum
The Hermitage Museum is best known for its vast collection of art and culture, including the largest collection of paintings in the world.
Created here
Hermitage Theatre
A historic theatre built by Catherine the Great, showcasing original stage machinery.
Created here · 1768–1785
Marble Palace
Commissioned the Marble Palace as a gift for Grigory Orlov.
Burial place
Peter and Paul Cathedral
The world's tallest Orthodox bell tower integrated into the main building.
Created here
Summer Garden
Commissioned Felten’s famous Neva-side iron grille (1770s–84); personally took Smolny Institute pupils on a public promenade here in 1773.
Lived here
Tauride Garden
Park of Tauride Palace (already linked); after Potemkin’s death Catherine bought the palace and stayed there in spring/autumn to keep his memory.
Created here · 1783–1789
Tauride Palace
Commissioned the Tauride Palace for Grigory Potemkin.
Lived here · 1762–1796
Winter Palace
Imperial residence; began the Hermitage art collections in the Winter Palace.
Created here
Смольный институт
Founded the Imperial Educational Society of Noble Maidens (Smolny Institute) by decree 16 May 1764 — Europe’s first state girls’ school; later housed in Quarenghi’s building.
Created here · 1777–1780
Чесменская церковь
Commissioned the Chesme Church to mark the Chesma victory.
Follow the story on foot
These addresses are scattered across the city. Our routes and quests put them in an order that works.