In 1764 Catherine the Great (empress of Russia 1762–1796) honored Estonia and Vidzeme with a visit while traveling from St. Petersburg to Riga. The empress wanted to see if there were still farmers in the governorate of Livonia who did not know how to read or write, and if they could be bought and sold. The spot where she rested and had a swim, the beautiful Pabaži beach near the White Dune, inspired her so much that the empress planted two linden trees which still stand today. Her bathing place was later named after her and became Katrīnbāde.