Wow, what a striking photo, and striking color / sharpness / contrast upgrade compared to the original.

So, I see that the Smolny Institute was Europe's first public educational institution for girls, founded in 1764 in accordance with a decree signed by Catherine the Great.

One wonders in what other culturally-significant ways Russia led Europe over the years. I do seem to recall leading painters and intellectuals liking to hang out in Moscow's cafes... er, well I think.