Imperial Grand Hall

Imperial Grand Hall (former ballroom), appeared in Kosikovsky’s mansion in 1840s. Later the ballroom was expanded and redecorated according to the project of the architect Nikolay Grebenka. In 1850s musical evenings were implemented here by the piano manufacturer Lichtenthal. The room was leased to “The Noble dancing gathering”, which was later renamed to “The noble gathering”. This popular enlightening social organization carried out lections, reading of different literature works, and concerts. Famous literary men read their compositions in the ballroom: Fedor Dostoevsky, Ivan Turgenev, Dmitry Pisarev, Michail Saltikov-Schedrin. The composer Ferenz List performed here as well. “The Russian musical association”, found by the composer and pianist Anton Rubenstein, held concerts and meetings here.

At the beginning of the new millennium the renascence of the legendary buildings started. JSC Taleon, which conducted reconstruction and restoration of the palace, returned the former imperial splendor to the historical interiors. Nowadays, after laborious renewal, the ballroom appears in all its exquisite magnificence. Events, held at the Imperial Grand Hall, will definitely become the brightest ones in the cultural life of Saint-Petersburg and continue the tradition of the musical and dancing evenings, held in the legendary palace.