The Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens became the first women's educational institution in Russia and the first state higher educational institution in Europe for girls, paving the way for women's education in the country.

Originally named the "Imperial Educational Society for Noble Maidens," it was founded at the initiative of Ivan Betsky according to the decree of Catherine the Second dated May 5 (16), 1764.

The institute accepted the daughters of officials no lower than the rank of colonel and actual state councilor at the state's expense, as well as the daughters of hereditary nobles for a fee, to prepare them as "educated women, good mothers, and useful members of society."

The Smolny Institute resembled modern schools. Girls from noble families were admitted from the age of six, with education lasting 12 years divided into four stages of three years each. Depending on the age of the students, they wore uniform dresses: younger girls, coffee-colored, from 9 to 12 years old, blue from 12 to 15 years old, light blue, and from 15 to 18 years old, white. The six best graduates received a gold monogram with the initials of the monarch.

After graduating from the institute, girls from noble families could serve at court, with some becoming maids of honor. The educational program, developed with the participation of Ivan Betsky, included the study of the Law of God, three foreign languages, arithmetic, drawing, history, geography, literature, dancing, music, social manners, needlework, and household management.

The institute's charter was strict: girls lived by a schedule and could see their relatives only on weekends and holidays in the presence of the headmistress. Leaving the institution before the age of 18 was prohibited.

The Smolny Institute became the foundation of women's secondary education in Russia and remained one of the most conservative educational institutions until 1917.

In 1917, the institute was closed, and after the October Revolution, the building was occupied by the new government, the Council of People's Commissars led by V. Lenin. Since then, various state structures and museum exhibitions reflecting the history of Smolny have been located here.