Even during our brief visits to foreign countries we are looking for the opportunity of experiencing different culture. At least we try local cuisine!

Now imagine yourself in St.Petersburg - the most “European” of all Russian cities.

How to get acquaintance with the unique culture of this country? What shall a foreign visitor do, if his time in St.Petersburg is limited, and he would like to try so many different things – ranging from national cuisine - to “mysterious Russian heart”?

Is there any chance for a foreigner to feel himself Russian?

Our answer is YES!

In the very center of St.Petersburg, just in 5-munite walk from the famous St.Isaak Cathedral (and “Astoria” hotel) one can see a beautiful palace – a real masterpiece of architecture of the second half of the XIXth century – Nickolayevsky Palace. Built by a gifted architect Andrey Schtakenshneider for Grand Duke Nikolay, a son of the Emperor Nikolay 1, this place will fully meet your highest cultural expectations.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO FEEL YOURSELF RUSSIAN?

Passing the entrance (temporarily renovated) to the Palace you will find yourself in the lobby – with its fabulous gala stairs leading to the Concert Hall and other beautifully renovated halls of the Palace. Courtoise cavaliers and elegant ladies in crinolines will greet you on the stairs showing you the way and making you forget the time. Beautiful melodies of the past performed by a professional musical quartet will give you impression that you are simply travelling through centuries… and this is just a beginning!

Now it's time to show you something REALLY RUSSIAN!

Here in a cozy and nicely decorated Concert Hall of the Nickolayevsky Palace we will give you more than just an opportunity to see unforgettable folkshow performance «Feel Yourself Russian»: you will not only FEEL involved – you will BE really involved! During two hours of this dynamic colorful and pictureous show, you will hear tuneful folk songs – romantic, and full of life, watch sparkling dances of different provinces of Russia, - and learn that some items – such as saws, wooden spoons, and other traditional household appliances, - can also be used as musical instruments! And – oh, miracle! – suddenly you will find yourself right on the stage dancing like a real Russian, playing folk games and enjoying yourself!

Your impression of Russia would not be full without traditional Russian snacks. That's why after 45 minutes of the show we offer you a little break – during which you are served some «light» snacks including canapies with red and black caviar, cheese, ham, and also some fruit, champaign, wine, vodka, juice and mineral water.

During a break - live music is playing, beauties in crinolines are dancing for you – and candle light reflected in your glass gives your wine the color of a precious stone…What a nice thing to be a Grand Duke!

When the show is over you leave the palace keeping unique experience: now you know what is it – to feel like a Grand Duke, like a Cossak, maybe even like a Tsar – in the other words – to feel yourself Russian!

Every night at 18:30 p.m.

Enjoy this unique opportunity of getting acquainted with the history and cultural traditions of Russia!
Classical quartet is playing lovely melodies of the XVIII th century, two stunning ladies in crinolines and a handsome gentleman in a wig (ballet trio “Reverence”) are welcoming guests at the Gala stairs of the Palace. How nice to be a guest of the Grand Duke!
The folk show itself is represented with 3 professional folk groups:
“Peters Quartet” vocal quartet. Classical performance of folk songs, lyrical romances and Russian Orthodox hymns.
"Maidan"is a Cossack song-and-dance group formed in1992 by the honored artist V. Drachev. The name of the group gets its origin from the place, where all Cossacks used to assemble in older times and where decisions were made "by the whole world". The group skillfully reproduces on stage Cossack songs and dances in their original form.
The «Stars of St.Petersburg»is a dance group. The dancers are graduated from leading schools of choreography in Russia. Its repertoire covers lyrical dances of the Russian North, fiering dances of the Cossacks from the Don and Voronezh, dancing miniatures of the Urals and Siberia with their subtle humor. Spectators of all ages and tastes will be able to appreciate not only the ability of the performers to bring Russian national color to the stage, but also their highest skills, complexity of acrobatic feats and breath-taking leaps.
The show consists of two parts (45 minutes each) and lasts for 1 hour 50 minutes including the break, when guests are offered some fruit, canapes with red caviar, ham, Russian style Salami, cheese, vodka, champagne, red wine, mineral water, juice, beverages.Classical quartet is playing and beauties in crinolines are dancing for dear guests. There is also a good opportunity to buy local souvenirs as well as folk show version on video, CD, DVD and disk-game about Nikolaevsky Palace.

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Whatever deep the emotional sensations at the Russian folklore may be, they are certainly emphasized by a magnificent interior of the Palace. It is a fine specimen of architecture of the 19th century built to the design of the famous German born Russian architect Andrey Stakenshneider for Emperor Nikolay I't son, Grand Duke Nikolay. Due to this fact, the current name of the former Grand Duke's residence is the Nikolayevsky Palace.

The Palace-is unique not only by its architectural design. It remarkably combines the memories of more than century's history of the city existence. The walls of the Palace remember daily life events of the Grand Duke's family as well as vigorous activities of the new political class representatives roused by the communists to rule the New State. It was a tradition then that the monarch's sons should make their career in the army. At the age of15, Grand Duke Nikolay Nikolayevich Snr was enlisted in Cavalry and gradually took a great interest in it. Eventually he received the rank of Inspector-General of Cavalry. The epitome of the Grand Duke's career was during the war against Turkey in1877-1878 when he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armies in the principal European theatre.

In December1861 the Nikolayevsky Palace was inaugurated and consecrated. The site selected was in Annunciation Square (the Square of Labour nowadays). This part of the city beside the first permanent bridge across the Neva river (at present Lieutenant Schmidt's bridge) was known a prestigious and costly suburb. Many luxurious restaurants popular among the city elite were placed there. Nearby was the English Embankment, a favourite promenade for the high society. The Crown Lands Department owned a substantial parcel of land there. By Nikolay I't order, it was allocated to the palace for his son Nikolay.

The building was constracted a rectangular in the early classicism style. The paved courtyard in front of the Palace is surrounded with fancy iron railings on a red granite base. The enormous Entrance Hall is grand and imposing. The effect is crowned by the main marble staircase which is grand and imposing by itself. It is considered an undoubted triumph of the architect. Going up the stairway, one can get right into the spacious Ballroom of17 metres high (the present Concert Hall). The Banqueting Hall beside it is one of the largest rooms in the Palace. It was used mostly for celebratory dinners and as a reception-room on special occasions. Its walls are decorated with elaborate mouldings featuring fish, game, fruit and vegetables. The Palace is distinguished by the location of the Church of Our Lady of Sorrow in it. It is the only family church in all the residences of the grand dukes with the entrance on the main staircase.

After the Grand Duke's death in1891 the Palace accommodated a Woman's Institute named after Grand Duchess Xenia, sister of NikolayII. The Institute was supported by allocations from the budget and private Xenia's means. The students were mostly of middle-class background.

The restaurant “Grand Duke” offers you to hold a celebration of anniversary, wedding, corporate banquet or just have a nice dinner with your family in the atmosphere of luxury and opulence. Splendid interiors of the Nikolaevsky Palace, white tablecloths and antique chandeliers with candles revive the atmosphere of Tsar’s Russia and create a sense of some mystery and warmth. Waiters dressed in camisoles and wigs in the style of the 19th century kindly greet the guests and help them feel comfortable during the evening.

The great variety of dishes from the skilled Chef according to special recipe are real masterpieces of culinary art. However traditional Russian dishes can also cater for the tastes of the most sophisticated gourmet. We are glad to organize a rich entertainment programme ranging from the presenters, DJs, circus performers, vocal and dance groups, artists to exclusive original genre, as well as the "stars" of the Russian and foreign music.

The event, held in the Nikolaevsky Palace, in an atmosphere of solemnity and coziness, conviviality and comfort, will be a remarkable experience that leave in the soul of every guest warm pleasant memories and unforgettable moments spent on the brink of Nikolay’s epoch and modern times.

We offer:
- luxurious interiors of the palace, which is a real masterpiece of art of the XIX century
- individual menu from the Chef of the Nickolaevsky Palace
- high quality of service
- wide range of entertainment options
- professional photo and video shooting
- possibility of complete preparation of a wedding celebration (transfer for bride and groom and guests, photo and video, etc.)
- possibility to organize a party for 10 – 200 guests
- discounts for bridal apartments (includes champaign & fruit)
- individual approach

Experienced and attentive staff will be very glad to assist you with all the arrangements. For more information and booking please contact: +7(812) 312-55-00