Catherine the Great and the Potemkin Myth: Fact vs Legend

This episode of the Romanov Dynasty podcast dives into one of history's most enduring legends: the so-called 'Potemkin villages.' We separate fact from fiction as Lucas and Luna explore Catherine the Great's 1787 Crimean journey, her partner Grigory Potemkin's ambitious development schemes, and how a political satire morphed into a global cliché. Along the way, they examine the real cities, fleets, and reforms Potemkin actually built—from Sevastopol's naval base to Kherson's shipyards—and why the myth took hold. Drawing on recent scholarship, the conversation reveals how the Potemkin story tells us more about European rivalries and imperial propaganda than about Catherine's Russia itself. Perfect for listeners who enjoy myth-busting history with a sharp, human focus. #CatherineTheGreat #Potemkin #PotemkinVillages #GrigoryPotemkin #CrimeanJourney #Sevastopol #Kherson #RussianEmpire #18thCentury #ImperialHistory #MythBusting #EasternEurope #History #FexingoHistory #Romanovs #BlackSeaFleet #GreekProject #CatherineII Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo