The Twelve Collegia

The Twelve Collegia were a group of prominent schools or guilds established in 17th-century Russia under Tsar Peter the Great. They served as centralized institutions for the management of government functions, with each Collegium responsible for specific areas like foreign affairs, treasury, or justice. These organizations aimed to modernize and streamline Russia’s bureaucracy, replacing older, less efficient systems. The Collegia operated on a collegial (group-based) model inspired by Western European practices, marking a significant step toward a more organized and professional government structure during Russia's modernization efforts.