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Olga of Kiev
Lydia Litvyak
Catherine the Great
Welcome to our Virtual Reality tour!
Our team put together a tour of sites of locations where women played an important role Russian history. Some of the sites with significant women history are listed below:
-Monument in Kyiv
-Memorial Plague in Moscow
-Honour Wall Heroes
-Smolny Institute
Olga of Kiev:
Site 1: Monument in Kyiv
Olga of Kiev, the grandmother of Vladimir the Great, who was the first Christian ruler of Kievan Rus in 988, was a formidable figure in her own right during the 1st century. Married at the age of 15, Olga eventually rose to power and became the first woman to rule the Kievan Rus empire. As queen, she is credited with establishing trading-posts and collecting tribute along the Msta and Luga rivers, as well as creating hunting grounds, boundary posts, towns, and trading-posts throughout the empire. In 950, Olga visited Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, and converted to Christianity around 955. Despite her efforts, she was unable to convert her son upon returning home. Olga died from illness in 969. Though many believe her grandson, Vladimir, was the first to bring Christianity to Rus, it was truly Olga who initially embraced the faith and laid the groundwork for its spread.
Lydia Litvyak:
Site 2: Memorial Plague in Moscow & "Wall of Heroes and Labor"
Site 3: Honour Wall Heroes
Born in 1921, the Soviet fighter pilot known as the "White Rose of Stalingrad" or "White Lily" was a remarkable figure in military history. Joining the Communist Party as an active member, she was instilled with the belief that the USSR could reshape any aspect of life. Nearly 200,000 women served in air defense during World War II, and she stood out as a top ace among them. Serving in the all-female Air Group 122, established in 1941, she quickly distinguished herself in the 586 Fighter Regiment, demonstrating a headstrong and thrill-seeking nature. Known for her individuality, she personalized her uniform with a fur collar and, after an arrest for refusing to dye her hair brown, she dyed it white blonde instead. Flying a Yak-1, she engaged in numerous dogfights, including a notable one on September 13 against Germany’s lethal Jagdgeschwader 53 unit, earning the dubious distinction of being the first woman in history to kill enemy combatants in the air. Despite limited flying opportunities due to gender inequalities, her prowess was undeniable. Tragically, she died at the age of 21 or 22, believed to have been shot down by a Nazi plane, although her body and aircraft were never positively identified.
Catherine the Great:
Site 4: Smolny Institute
Born on May 2, 1729, Catherine the Great was the longest-serving Empress of Russia, reigning from 1762 to 1796. She came to power after overthrowing her husband, Peter III, and was greatly inspired by the Enlightenment. Catherine's rule saw a cultural renaissance in Russia, marked by the creation of new cities, universities, theaters, and a flourishing of arts and education. She played a pivotal role in integrating Russia into the political and cultural spheres of Europe, expanding the empire's borders to include regions such as Ukraine, Lithuania, and Belarus. Despite her remarkable achievements, Catherine had a strained relationship with her son, Paul, fearing he would seek to avenge his father's death. Demonstrating great bravery, she underwent the new smallpox vaccine to prove its safety. Catherine also founded the Smolny Institute, Russia’s first school for girls, furthering her commitment to education and progress. Under her leadership, Russia emerged as one of Europe's great powers.
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