GRAND DUKE’S MISSION. PAUL PETROVICH’S TRAVEL IN 1781–1782

Submitted text is the presentation of the book about Russian Emperor Paul I, “Grand Duke's mission. Paul Petrovich's travel in 1781–1782”. The period from September 1781 until November 1782 is analyzed in details, i. e. fourteen months while Grand Duke Paul with his wife Maria Fyodorovna and retinue were travelling across Europe. The grand couple has been to Poland, Holy Roman Empire (afterwards Austrian Empire), Republic of Venice, Papal States (that was an independent state on that moment), Kingdom of Naples or Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, Duchy of Parma, Milan and Grand Duchy of Tuscany, Kingdom of Sardinia, France, Austrian Netherlands, Montbéliard, situated in a tiny Duchy of Württemberg and in Switzerland. During the journey, heir of Russian throne travelled across almost the entire meridian of House of Habsburg, Spanish and French House of Bourbon in Europe — from 1782 new allies of Russian Empire. During his foreign trip, Grand Duke Paul personally had to know the ruling monarchs of all the states above, and he was the only one of reigning 300 years House of Romanov to meet with the Bishop of Rome.