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Catherine II, whom we know as 'the Great', was a woman of truly iron will: she annexed Crimea, corresponded with Voltaire and turned Russia into a mighty empire. With all her state wisdom, the empress had one very fiery passion – men. While some empresses accumulated dresses, Catherine collected handsome favorites, and, believe me, the scale of her 'hobby' boggles the imagination.
10 years of loneliness and a husband who played with toy soldiers
The empress's relationship with her husband never worked out; over 17 years of love for Peter III, Catherine never got him to notice her as a woman. Peter had no time for love: he preferred playing with tin soldiers, training dogs, and even holding military field courts-martial over rats right in the bedroom. No wonder the empress had to seek comfort and love on the side.
The exact number of Catherine II's favorites
Historians still argue about how many there actually were. The official list names a 'lovers' dozen' – 12 main favorites, while rumors attribute more than 20 lovers to her. Courtiers even invented a special term for it – 'The Case.' Every well-built guardsman dreamed of getting into 'the Case,' for it was the shortest path to millions and titles.
How the selection took place: 'three-night trials'
Becoming a favorite could happen from a single glance: if Catherine singled out a handsome man at a reception, he was immediately taken in hand. First came a mandatory medical exam by Dr. Rogerson, then a three-day test of 'professional suitability' in bed with the maid of honor Protasova.
The lucky man who passed this test was led to the imperial bedchamber at exactly 10 p.m., dressed in a Chinese robe-schlafrock and handed a book for appearances. And the very next morning the new lover woke up with the status of adjutant and a fantastic gift of 100,000 rubles for pocket money.
Favorites and intrigues: from 'Russian bogatyr' to 'secret husband'
Catherine II's longest romance was with Grigory Orlov – they were together for 12 years. This handsome grenadier helped her ascend the throne, while she showered him with diamonds and money (the Orlovs alone cost 17 million rubles!).
The great love of her life was, of course, Grigory Potemkin. He was her 'secret husband' and the second man in the state. Even when their passion cooled, Potemkin remained her best friend and... he himself picked out new young lovers for her so they wouldn't dare meddle in politics.
The meeting place cannot be changed: where Catherine II met with favorites
The Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo was a true 'love nest' for the empress, where she felt far freer than under the watchful eyes of capital critics in Petersburg. Her favorites settled into cozy wings and neighboring buildings. The palace layout was thought out to the smallest detail: the chosen one could always slip quickly and unnoticed into the sovereign's private chambers. It was within these walls that her affair with Grigory Potemkin was strongest, and young handsome men like Vasilchikov or Zubov got their coveted 'Case' simply by catching the empress's eye during guard duty or a ride to the palace gates.
Interesting facts from the personal life of Catherine II
Catherine II's Orgies
The Frenchman Charles Masson, in his pamphlet, savored rumors that the 60-year-old empress held 'ancient Roman orgies' in the Winter Palace. Historians, however, consider this information warfare and nothing more than gossip. And we can say it's never too late to sort out your personal life!
How much money was spent on favorites?
Over 34 years of rule, Catherine spent an astronomical sum on her favorites – 92,820,000 rubles. For comparison: the annual income of the entire empire was less than that figure.
Catherine II and the horse
There is also a legend that Catherine II died shortly after having sex with a horse. This rumor was spread by the Polish historian Kazimierz Waliszewski, and it was embellished at the French court.
Catherine II's last favorite
The last favorite of the 60-year-old empress was 22-year-old Platon Zubov. She called him "child" and "dear Platosha," while he, in turn, twisted the empress around his finger as he pleased and amassed a fortune of 20 million.
Cause of death of the favorite Lanskoi
One of the favorites, Alexander Lanskoi, was so eager to please the empress that he overdid it with "stimulating infusions," ruined his health, and suddenly died at the age of 25.
Who is Paul I's father?
It is believed that Paul I's real father was not Emperor Peter, but Catherine's first favorite, Sergei Saltykov.
Catherine II's Favorites: Answering Questions
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Why were favorites expelled?
Most often for infidelity. For example, Ivan Rimsky-Korsakov was thrown out when Catherine personally caught him with another countess. -
Is it true that there were secret passages in the palace?
Yes! In the Winter Palace and in Tsarskoye Selo there were hidden staircases and corridors through which favorites could sneak unnoticed straight into the sovereign's bedroom. -
What was the most unusual gift a former lover received?
After breaking up with the empress, Stanisław Poniatowski received an entire crown, becoming King of Poland with her support. -
Who was Catherine II's first favorite?
Catherine II's first favorite (at that time still a grand duchess) was Sergei Vasilyevich Saltykov. Their romance began in 1752 and lasted about two years.
Tour of the Catherine Palace
Catherine II lived a vivid life full of passions. Would you like to see where history was made and where the empress lived with her favorites? Leningrad Tour offers you an excursion to the Catherine Palace to see the "love nest" with your own eyes, peek into the very wings where the imperial favorites lived, and personally check how the secret staircases and corridors worked, through which lovers crept into the imperial bedroom for nighttime rendezvous!
Tour of the Catherine Palace
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