On 10 March 1697, Tsar Peter the Great of Russia embarked on a historic tour of Western Europe, a journey that would profoundly reshape his empire.
Disguised as a commoner to travel incognito, he sought to absorb the technological, cultural, and military advancements of the West.
This "Grand Embassy" took him to the Netherlands, England, and Austria, where he studied shipbuilding, governance, and military tactics, forging alliances and recruiting experts to modernise Russia.
His voyage marked the dawn of a transformed Russian state, one that would soon rival the great European powers in strength and sophistication.
