Halls Filled with History

Visiting the Smolny Institute on Monday was truly a magnificent experience. When the tour guide told us that Smolny's halls are filled with history, I had no grasp of just how much history there was. In accordance of a decree by Catherine II, the Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens was created in 1806. Originally, Catherine II wished for noble girls to receive a proper education and prepare themselves for life at court. Smolny was the first educational establishment for women up until 1917, when it was discontinued (More on this later). When I first entered the institute, I immediately noticed just how massive it is. The hallways extending to both wings of the building appear to be endless and are filled with paintings and portraits on the walls. Thus, the long walk is not that bad.

The front of the institute. Notice the statue of Lenin.

During Smolny's time as an educational establishment, many notable noble women graduated from this institution. At first, I thought my education was tedious and sometimes quite rigorous. However, once I learned about the institute's curriculum and rules, I was blown away. Firstly the girls were admitted at the age of five, and would study continuously for twelve years. Vacations were prohibited, and family visits were limited. Every girl would learn Russian, French, and German. On top of that, the girls would all have to learn how to play a musical instrument (Of any kind), etiquette, dance, physics, geography, history, mathematics, and many more subjects. Now, that's what I call an education! One of the fun activities the girls would partake in was attending balls. It was at the balls that they could show off what they've learned during their time there. Many notable individuals attended these balls, including the emperor himself. 

Ball room ceiling and chandeliers.

The whole ball room. Photo taken from the front podium.

When standing in the ball room, I could imagine it being candle lit, classical music playing in the background, with a grand dance taking place. As previously mentioned, the institute itself failed to exist after 1917. This is due to the fact that during 1917, the Bolsheviks took control of the building using it as a headquarters. It was also in this building that Vladimir Lenin worked, lived (For a short period of time), and told the Bolsheviks on October 26th that the revolution had begun. A portion of Smolny has been left as a museum, most of it being Lenin's office and personal quarters where he and his wife briefly stayed. I found this part of the tour to be the coolest. Gotta love being a history nerd. Lenin's desk had been preserved as had the items that were originally on it. One of these items was a handwritten decree/order by Lenin himself telling his guards what to do when he was gone or under threat. There was something surreal about seeing Lenin's handwriting and the exact pen that was used.

Lenin's desk. I actually got the chance to sit at it.

Lenin would sleep in this small room right next to his office often. This entire room has been preserved.

Our tour guide shared with us many personal facts about Lenin; none of which I knew. For example, he would work 18-20 hour work days. The guide told us that Lenin practically "breathed the revolution." After seeing Lenin's office, we visited his personal quarters. In this very small room, Lenin lived with his wife. Everything in the room was left as is, meaning either Lenin himself or his wife were the last people to touch it. I found this to be amazing. Only Lenin's closest friends and associates were allowed to enter this room. It's incredible to think that at one point or another, Stalin probably sat on one of these couches or chairs. 

Sitting area. On the other side of that wall is the beds where they both slept.

Both Lenin and his wife used this desk. The document was written by Lenin.

Where they slept.

Currently, Smolny is used a government building. The mayor of St. Petersburg is seated there and Vladimir Putin worked there from 1991-1997. I saw the exact office where Putin himself worked. It hasn't been memorialized, instead it is occupied by another government employee. I loved every second of my visit to Smolny. The halls truly are filled with history. Today, I had a normal class day without excursions. This evening, I went downtown for a cup of coffee and visited a toy store. 

If you grew up with Tonka trucks you'd understand (:

Sitting at Lenin's desk. Trying to look serious. 

So far it has been a great week. Tomorrow I'm visiting the Hermitage museum, which I've been looking forward to for a very long time. Keep an eye out for my next blog post! As always, thank you for reading.