The Tauride Palace on Shpalernaya Street in St. Petersburg is a striking example of strict classicism in Russia and is among the most recognizable buildings in the city. It is mentioned in the works of Russian writers and is known for its famous inhabitants. After the death of the first owner, Prince Grigory Potemkin, Alexander Suvorov and Nikolai Karamzin lived here, for whom the palace became the final resting place. During the reign of Paul I, the building housed the Life Guards Cavalry Regiment, and during the February Revolution, it was home to the Provisional Government. The palace has silently witnessed numerous historical events and fates.

The first owner of the Tauride Palace was Prince Grigory Potemkin, the favorite of Catherine II. He often visited the capital and decided to build his own residence in 1783. Architect Ivan Starov, who was acquainted with the prince since their studies, designed the building in a restrained style oriented towards antiquity. Initially, the palace was planned to be built on Nevsky Prospect, but Potemkin chose a site next to the barracks of the Life Guards Cavalry Regiment, where he served. Construction began on the eve of the Second Russo-Turkish War, and after its completion, Potemkin sold the palace to the treasury. In 1791, Catherine II returned it to the prince in gratitude for his military services.

Interestingly, the construction and decoration of the palace cost 600,000 rubles. After Potemkin's death in 1792, Catherine II purchased the building and named it in honor of the annexation of Tavrida to Russia in 1787.

The palace includes four ceremonial rooms: the Great Gallery (Catherine's Hall), the Dome Hall, the vestibule, and the winter garden with exotic plants. The building itself is constructed in the style of an Italian villa. Today, the Dome Hall is adorned with columns and faience stoves with golden ornamentation. The Great Gallery, executed in the antique style, is nearly 75 meters long and 15 meters wide. The winter garden, celebrated by Derzhavin, is decorated with exotic plants and realistic views of nature.

Behind the palace lies the Tauride Garden with monuments to Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Sergey Yesenin, and the 'Young Heroes of the Defense of Leningrad.' The Tauride Palace of Potemkin became a prototype for other noble estates.

After Potemkin's death, the palace was looted, but Catherine II took it under her care, and restoration began under the guidance of Fyodor Volkova. He altered the entrance by adding a portico and replaced the concert hall with a theater. Later, under Paul I, the palace was handed over to the Life Guards Cavalry Regiment, and its premises were used as barracks.

Alexander I restored the palace, and in 1802, restoration work began under the direction of Luigi Rusca, followed by Karl Rossi and Vasily Stasov. In the mid-19th century, the palace again became a venue for balls and receptions for foreign guests.

In the early 20th century, the palace became a site for exhibitions and events. In 1906, it was transferred to the State Duma, and reconstruction began under the guidance of Pyotr Shestov.

From 1906 to 1917, the building housed the State Duma and the Provisional Government. In 1918, important political events took place here, such as the Third All-Russian Congress of Soviets and the Seventh Congress of the RCP(b). In 1920, the II Congress of the Comintern was held in the palace.

In the early 20th century, the palace was renamed in honor of Moisei Uritsky, but soon returned to its former name. In the 1930s, the building housed the All-Union Agricultural University.

After World War II, the palace was redesigned by architect Ivan Kaptsyug and became the site for the Peasant University and the Higher Party School. Today, the building houses the headquarters of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the CIS and the Museum of the History of Parliamentarism. Conferences, forums, and musical performances, including Potemkin Evenings, are held here. The Dome Hall is adorned with a majestic organ, on which works of world classics are performed.