Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great (1729-1796), was a Russian empress during the Catherinian Era, the golden era of Russia, which expanded and thrived during her time. She became empress after her husband was assassinated in 1762 and surrounded herself with generals, admirals, advisors, and lovers. Among her accomplishments were – the expansion of the Russian Empire, the establishment of new cities and towns, the country’s modernization, promoting art, science, and education, reforming the administration, and opening the Smolny Institute of Noble Maidens, a high education institution for women in 1764, the first of its kind in Europe. This larger-than-life monument was unveiled in 1873 after 13 years of planning and building by the Russian artist M.O. Mikeshin. It depicts Catherine standing high wearing her royal gown, holding a scepter in her right hand and an olive wreath in her left hand. Around the pedestal, there are nine sculptures of famous people from her time- generals, politicians, and cultural figures. One of them is Ekaterina Dashkova (1744-1810), the first woman to chair the Russian Academy of Sciences. The monument stands in the center of the city of St Petersburg, in the middle of a square, surrounded by cultural institutes- the Alexandrinsky Drama Theater and the Russian National Library, very fitting for Catherinian the Great, who promoted art, culture, and education. Read more...