The Taurida Palace is a splendid example of Classicism, the main trend in the Russian architecture in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The strict precise lines of the façades, the modest, restrained decoration, the use of the elements of ancient architecture, and, in particular, columns supporting a pediment above a portico, such as the ones you can see on the main façade of the building, are typical of this style.

The luxurious interior décor of the Taurida Palace contrasts with its modest exterior. Beyond the main portico is an extensive elegant vestibule leading to the octagonal Dome Room with its monumental arches on marble columns, supporting a low drum crowned with a cupola. Splendid murals have been preserved here, executed in the grisaille style, a special type of decorative painting using only two colors and thereby creating impression of a bas-relief. Further on is the Catherine Reception Hall, 75 meters long, embellished with 36 columns of artificial marble and amazingly beautiful bronze chandeliers. This hall used to abut onto the huge winter garden, where exotic trees, rose and jasmine bushes grew under a glass roof and tropical birds fluttered amidst the greenery. In the center of the garden there was a round colonnade containing a marble sculpture of Catherine the Great, the patroness of the owner of the palace.

Prince Potyomkin of Taurida was fabulously rich. It is known that his hat was so heavily studded with diamonds that the prince could neither wear it nor hold it. Therefore, a special aide-de-camp carried this overweight headgear.

His contemporaries recall a ball given in the Taurida Palace on April 28, 1791, to commemorate the capture by the Russian troops of the Turkish fortress of Izmail. Three thousand guests, among them Catherine the Great, were present at the festivities. They were entertained by 300 singers and musicians and also by an unusual horn orchestra belonging to Potyomkin. Each of the 36 musicians making up the orchestra could produce but one single note on his wind instrument. Therefore, tremendous skill was required for the musician to play his note in the general melodu at the right time.

During the ball, the Palace was lit by 140,000 multicolored lamps and 20,000 candles. The fete cost the prince 200,000 roubles, the annual income from the quit-rent of 40,000 serfs.

The son of Catherine the Great, Paul I, who succeeded her on the Russian throne, avenged himself on Potyomkin for the latter’s scornful attitude toward him… by taking it out on the palace. On his orders this outstanding work of architecture was turned into stables. The splendid parquetry was covered with manure and stalls were set up between the columns. After the death of Paul I the palace was restored, and Alexander I lived in it for a short period of time, as did other members of the Royal family. In 1829, the heir to the Persian throne stayed here. Then for several decades the palace remained uninhabited. Later on, in 1906, it was partially rebuilt for the State Duma, the Russian Parliament. The winter garden was turned into a giant amphitheater to be used as an assembly hall.

 Адрес: Shpalernaya ulitsa, 47, St Petersburg, Russia, 191015
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