With regard to Czar Peter the Great, in the Netherlands there is the so called Tsaar Peterhuisje (Czar Peter House). In the city of Zaandam to be precise
https://en.wikipedia.org/...Peter_House_(Netherlands)When being in Zaandam for other appointments, several years back, I spontaneously visited it. Even as it had been a while ago I would recommend it to people with interest in Czar Peter and related items. Amazing is that it is a very small and low house, while, if I am correct Czar Peter was a big, large man (especially to the standards of that time).
Peter had met the Zaandam blacksmith and craftsman Gerrit Kist when Kist had worked for the czar in Moscow. Upon visiting the Zaanstreek, Peter insisted on staying with Kist in his home, despite Kist's protests that his house was a mere hovel, shared with the widow of one of his workers. The widow was paid to move out, and Peter spent a week as Kist's houseguest. The czar was traveling incognito under the name Peter Michaeloff and while Kist did not reveal his guest's identity it did not take long for Peter to be recognized, making his observations difficult.
Peter wanted to learn more about the Dutch shipbuilding industry, and with this knowledge (and other knowledge acquired during the Grand Embassy) begin a period of modernization and growth in Russia. At this time, the Dutch Republic was one of the most developed countries in the world.
Although he remained at the house only a short time, he would return a number of times, the last in 1717.
