- One of the largest and most impressive palaces in St. Petersburg

- Location: north-east of the historic centre, next to the Tavricheskiv Garden 

- Nowadays: used as Interparliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of

  Independent States

- Palace was built between 1783 and 1789 by Ivan Starov,

- It was for Prince Grigory Potemkin (close confidant and former lover of Catherine

  the Great)

- Designed the palace in strict Palladian style, and its simple facades were in sharp

  contrast to the richly decorated interiors and the lavish lifestyle led by Potemkin

  when in St. Petersburg.

- Designed to face the Neva River across its extensive parkland