Love Affairs of Russia's Catherine the Great with Vadim Malinovsky

Ruling the Russian Empire for 34 years she became the most well-known Empress of Europe. We know her as a great politician and reformer but also as a woman who was looking for true love. The list of her lovers is as famous as her achievements. That’s why there were several false rumors that were created and spread by her many jealous and misogynistic male rivals. We know more than 20 lovers, the most famous of them are Grigory Orlov and Grigory Potyomkin, they can be named the most beloved men in the Empress’ life. Less famous are Stanislav Poniatowski and Platon Zubov. It is impossible to cover all of her love affairs but we will definitely look at the most important of them and try to understand the influence of her private life on the policy and decisions of the Empress. 

Led by historian Vadim Malinovsky this seminar will give a deep dive into the private life of Catherine the Great and its impact on her public character and political achievements. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of the personality of the most famous Empress of Russia.