Great Embassy of Peter I

How Russia truly entered Europe for the first time

On March 9, 1697, the Great Embassy of Peter I began - one of the most important journeys in Russian history. Formally, it was a diplomatic mission, but for Peter himself the trip became a personal exit to Europe: to ships, shipyards, artillery, medicine, science and a new way of life.

• Why did Peter set off on his journey?

• What did he want to get from Europe?

• Why was he interested in the navy, dentistry and engineering, but almost not interested in parliament and political structure?

• And what did Russia actually adopt from Europe after this trip - the essence or just the external forms?

In this issue - about the Grand Embassy, ​​Riga, Holland, England, the Swedes, the anti-Ottoman alliance, Peter's reforms and why this trip became for him a personal door to Europe.