Thus, 15 years into his reign, he travelled to Zaandam to study shipbuiliding as an ordinary ship's carpenter under the pseudoym Peter Michaeloff.
Built in 1632, the building was the home of blacksmith and craftsman Gerrit Kist whom Peter had met in Moscow. It was far from palatial, with Peter staying just for eight days. Later, Peter went to Amsterdam and on to London, returning to Moscow in 1698.
EXPLORE MORE: Love across borders: the royal families
Peter's short stay made the humble cottage famous. He returned to visit again a number of times - his last visit was in 1717.
Having become famous, the house became a tourist attraction. Its visitors book contains thousands of names, including Emperor Napoleon
Bonaparte in 1811. Many Dutch and international monarchs have visited this simple house.