Central Exhibition Hall "Manege"

About museum

In 1817, by order of Emperor Alexander I, the Great Manege was built in honor of the fifth anniversary of the victory of Russian arms in the Patriotic War of 1812. The construction design was developed by engineer Augustin Betancourt, and the stucco and plaster decorations were carried out under the supervision of Moscow architect Osip Bove. The name "Exerzirhaus" comes from German and means "house for military exercises." Since 1831, concerts and public festivities have been regularly held here. In 1917, a garage for government automobiles was opened in the Great Manege. In 1957 the building was transferred to the Main Directorate of Culture of the city of Moscow. Since then the Great Manege has hosted theatrical and concert performances as well as festive shows. Since then the Great Manege has hosted theatrical and concert performances as well as festive shows.