The Crimean journey of Catherine the Great (), also known as âðòÃÂøÃÂõÃÂúøù òþÃÂö (Taurida Voyage) at the time, was a six-month (January 2, 1787 â July 11, 1787) inspection journey of Catherine II of Russia to the newly acquired lands of New Russia and Crimea, gained as a result of the victorious wars against the Ottoman Empire (1735âÂÂ39 and 1768âÂÂ74) and peace treaties with the Cossack Hetmanate followed by the forced liquidation of the free Zaporozhian Sich.
The journey was carried out with her court and several ambassadors. Among them was the French ambassador, Louis Philippe, Comte de Ségur. During the journey, she met with Joseph II, the Holy Roman Emperor, who was traveling incognito. The journey was arranged by Prince Grigory Potemkin, a favorite and former lover of Catherine II. The journey happened just prior to the Russo-Turkish War (1787âÂÂ1792).
This journey is the origin of the expression Potemkin village, referring to the legend of fake villages hastily erected by Potemkin along Catherine's route in order to impress her.