Crimean journey of Catherine the Great
The Crimean journey of Catherine the Great (Russian: Путешествие Екатерины II в Крым), also known as Таврический вояж (Taurida Voyage) at the time, was a six-month (January 2, 1787 – July 11, 1787) inspection journey of Catherine II of Russia to the newly acquired lands of New Russia and Crimea, gained as a result of the victorious wars against the Ottoman Empire (1735–39 and 1768–74) and peace treaties with the Cossack Hetmanate followed by the forced liquidation of the free Zaporozhian Sich.
The journey was carried out with her court and several ambassadors. Among them the French ambassador, Louis Philippe, Comte de Ségur. During the journey, she met with the Austrian emperor Joseph II, traveling incognito. The journey was arranged by Grigory Potemkin, a favorite and former lover of Catherine II. The journey happened just prior to the Russo-Turkish War (1787–1792).[1][2]
"Her Majesty informed me that all etiquette was forbidden on this journey and that only a few people would be given the honour of taking part."
— Louis Philippe, Comte de Ségur, on the invitation he had received from Catherine the Great of Russia to accompany her on her journey to Crimea[3]
This journey is the origin of the expression Potemkin village, referring to the legend of fake villages hastily erected by Potemkin along Catherine's route in order to impress her.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ Pierre-Marie-Maurice-Henri, Marquis de Ségur: Le Maréchal de Ségur (1724–1801), E. Plon, Nourrit et Cie, Imprimeurs-Éditeurs, rue Garancière no. 10, Paris, 1895, p. 290
- ^ Alexander Brückner, Potyomkin, С.-Петербург. Издание К.Л. Риккера 1891, Chapter V: Путешествие Екатерины (1787 г.) Archived 2008-01-09 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Louis Philippe, Comte de Ségur: Mémoires ou Souvenirs et Anecdotes, Alexis Eymery, Libraire-Éditeur, rue Mazarine no. 30, Paris, 1827, tome II, p. 314
- ^ "Did "Potemkin villages" really exist?", Straight Dope
Further reading
[edit]- Louis Philippe, Comte de Ségur: Mémoires ou Souvenirs et Anecdotes, Alexis Eymery, Libraire-Éditeur, rue Mazarine no. 30, Paris, 1827 (3 volumes)
- Russian translation of the memoir of Louis Philippe, comte de Ségur who took part in the journey as a French ambassador; see also here
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