Peter the Great changed Russia’s destiny with bold reforms and unstoppable ambition. In Fascinating Discoveries about Peter the Great, discover surprising facts about his daring travels, military triumphs, and how he reshaped an entire nation.
Peter the Great
Peter the Great ruled Russia for over 40 years, transforming it into a major European power.
He traveled secretly across Europe to learn about shipbuilding, medicine, and modern military techniques.
Peter founded the city of St. Petersburg in 1703, calling it his “window to the West.”
He stood over 6 feet 8 inches tall, towering above most of his contemporaries.
He reorganized the Russian government, creating a Senate and modernizing the military with European tactics.
He imposed a tax on beards to push Russians toward a more Western appearance.
Peter personally worked as a shipbuilder in the Netherlands, even though he was a reigning tsar.
He launched the Great Northern War against Sweden, winning key territories along the Baltic Sea.
Peter the Great reformed the Russian Orthodox Church, reducing the power of the clergy.
He loved unusual hobbies like dentistry and often practiced pulling teeth on unwilling subjects.
Peter forced the Russian nobility to adopt Western clothes, dancing, and even social manners.
Under his rule, Russia’s first navy was built, establishing control over new maritime routes.
Peter’s reforms extended to education, founding schools for navigation, engineering, and sciences.
He changed the traditional Russian calendar to align more closely with European standards.
Despite his achievements, Peter ruled with an iron fist, using brutal punishments to crush opposition.
