Tauride Palace (Russian: Таврический дворец) is one of the largest and most historically important palaces in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
It is the St. Petersburg residence of Prince Grigory Potemkin-Tavrichesky. It was erected in the style of classicism in the period from 1783 to 1789 according to the project of architect I. E. Starov.
The palace is located on Shpalernaya Street, in the quarter between Potemkinskaya and Tavricheskaya streets. Behind him is the Tauride Garden. The Museum Complex “The Universe of Water” is opposite.
In 1906-1910, the interiors of the building were changed in connection with the placement of the State Duma in it (architect P. I. Shestov).
With the beginning of the February Revolution, the Tavrichesky Palace housed the Provisional Committee of the State Duma, and then the Provisional Government (until July 1917), the Petrograd Council of Workers’ Deputies arose here. The First All-Russian Congress of Soviets of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies was held in the Tauride Palace on June 3–24, 1917.
Before moving to Smolny Government building in August 1917, the All-Russian Central Executive Committee of Soviets met in the Tauride Palace.
On January 5, 1918, the All-Russian Constituent Assembly met in the Tauride Palace.
In the 21st century, the palace is the headquarters of the Interparliamentary Assembly of States Members of the Commonwealth of Independent States. It also gathers the Council of Legislators – a special deliberative body of both chambers of the Russian Parliament. In addition, the St. Petersburg branch of the Mir television and radio company is based in the building.
From the Tauride Palace come the names of the Tauride Garden, Tauride Street and Tauride Lane.
The garden was laid out between 1783 and 1789. Prince Grigory Potemkin ordered his favourite architect, William Guld, to design and lay out the park.
When Potemkin died in 1791, the park and palace were used by Catherine II as a residence. Afterwards it was opened to the public. In 1898, a theater was built in the park.
The area of the Tauride Garden is 21.1 hectares.
