The Tauride Palace

In the 18th century, the Tauride Palace was the country residence of the influential favorite of Empress Catherine II Grigory Potemkin. Thanks to his talent as a military strategist, the Crimea-Tavrida peninsula was joined to Russia. Hence the prefix to the name of the prince and the name of the palace received as a reward - Tavrichesky. For two centuries the palace has been reworked many times. And now the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS member countries "lodges" it, metal detectors and security personnel meet at the entrance. But even today Tavrichesky is an outstanding monument of architecture, history and culture of St. Petersburg, and tourists here meet a variety of nationalities.

Potemkin was here rarely, but on occasion he always arranged magnificent receptions. The most outstanding ball, in the style of "Thousand and One Nights", he organized to return Catherine, carried away by a new favorite, but the Empress took him for a farewell party.
Prince Grigory Potemkin came from a poor family. Nevertheless, thanks to his mind and well-established circumstances, he managed to make a brilliant career. To everything else, Grigory Alexandrovich was able to place Catherine II in his place and became her favorite. In 1782, Potemkin served as Governor-General in the south of the country. In St. Petersburg, he was infrequent, and when he came to the northern capital, he lived in the Winter Palace. This state of affairs did not suit him, Potemkin decided to acquire his own palace.

At first the palace was called the Konnogvardeisky house, because it was on the banks of the Neva River in the settlement of the Konnogvardeisky regiment. By the way, it was here that Potemkin began his military career. The project of the Tauride Palace was developed by an old friend of Grigory Alexandrovich architect Ivan Starov. Outwardly the building looked modest, in the style of classicism. But the interior decoration impressed with its luxury and splendor.