The Horse Guards Manege in St. Petersburg forms a single architectural composition with St. Isaac's Cathedral. The old building is perfectly preserved and is not only one of the sights of the city, but also a fashionable exhibition complex.
Construction of Horse Guards Arena
During the time of Peter I, on the site of the modern Konnogvardeisky Boulevard, there was the Galley Canal, through which timber was delivered to the Admir alty shipyard. At the beginning of the 19th century, the barracks of the Life Guards Cavalry Regiment were transferred from the outskirts of St. Petersburg to the center.
For the privileged guards company returning from the Napoleonic wars, which was patronized by the emperor himself, a whole complex is being built next to St. Isaac's Cathedral: barracks for soldiers and housing for officers, a regimental temple, as well as a room for training horses.
The architect of the Horse Guards arena was Giacomo Quarenghi, who created many beautiful buildings in St. Petersburg. He built a riding ground for the Life Guards in 1804-1807, providing that stalls would be located nearby. By the way, they have survived to this day on the street. Yakubovich.
Quarenghi had to decidea difficult task: how to fit a building with a specific functional purpose into the narrow space of the former canal, while maintaining the architectural and stylistic unity of St. Isaac's Square?
Architect finds a brilliant solution. The side facades of the rectangular elongated building are designed simply, without frills, but the facade overlooking the square is decorated in a spectacular classical style. It is adorned with an elegant proportional portico that crowns a triangular pediment. On the pediment there were bas-reliefs made according to the drawings of Quarenghi, they depicted the distribution of prizes after equestrian competitions.
The double row of columns forming the facade portico emphasizes the solidity of the entire building, looks solemn and elegant.
The inside of the arena was a huge hall for the training of horses and training of guardsmen in riding. To make it more convenient to start the horses, ramps were attached to the entrance.
Manege Decoration
Only in 1817 the portico was finally decorated: sculptures of young men taming horses were placed on both sides of the entrance.
Picturesque statues made of the best Carrara marble were copied from Roman samples by the Italian sculptor Triscorni especially for the Manege in St. Petersburg. The figures depicted the mythological characters of Castor and Polux, inseparable brothers, sons of Zeus.
But the marble statues did not decorate the front part for long. Already in 1840, at the request of the priests of St. Isaac's Cathedral, the figures of naked pagans were rearranged to the rear, to the barracks.gate.
Only after almost a hundred years, in 1954, the sculptural compositions returned to their place.
Building redevelopment
In the 70s of the XIX century. It was decided to rebuild the Horse Guards Manege. The order was commissioned to the architect D. Grimm. He made an extension on the west side, expanding the interior, and turned the usual box into an imperial one. The building is also decorated from the outside: bas-reliefs made of terracotta by the sculptor D. Jensen are placed on the pediment. The bas-reliefs corresponded to the purpose of the building and depicted equestrian competitions in ancient times. Contemporaries recognized them as unsuccessful.
Iron horses in the Manege
After the revolution of 1917 the building was empty.
In the 30s of the last century there was a fire that destroyed the interior. The building was rebuilt by the architect N. Lansere, who divided the premises into 2 floors, removed the Jensen bas-reliefs and added ramps, after which the building of the Horse Guards Manege turned into a garage for the NKVD fleet.
Soviet times
During the siege of Leningrad, the arena was damaged. After repair and restoration work, the premises were given to Leningrad artists for exhibitions.
In 1973, a large-scale reconstruction of the external and internal decoration began. This was done by the restorers P. Arkhipova, M. Bratchikov, A. Tulkov, they tried to return the Manege on St. Isaac's Square to the look that D. Quarenghi had conceived. The inner spacious part has turned into an exhibition area.
The hall was solemnly opened in1977, timed to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the revolution. The first was the exhibition "Art Belongs to the People".
In 2000, and then in 2001-2003, the facade and sculptures of the Manege were restored again.
A bit of mysticism
Every remarkable building in St. Petersburg is certainly fanned by a legend or has a couple of signs associated with it. The horse guard arena is no exception.
Although the Alexander Garden is located between the building on Isaaevskaya Square and the Winter Palace, it was believed that both buildings were connected underground by a tunnel through which a horse would ride. The inhabitants believed that in this way the emperor penetrated the arena unnoticed and looked at the training of his favorites, life hussars.
Modernity of the Manege
Today the Horse Guards Manege is a wonderful modern exhibition complex. Its area is more than 4.5 thousand sq.m.
This largest exhibition space in the city hosts lectures, symposiums, round tables and seminars on a variety of topical issues, film screenings, artists give master classes, and unique exhibitions. The Manege is an indispensable venue for holding an international cultural forum.
Exhibitions are held not only inside the building, but also occupy the area around, acquainting St. Petersburg residents and guests of the city with the phenomenon of street art.
Besides, the Manege in St. Petersburg is also a concert venue that plays chamber choir, jazz, folk melodies, electroacoustics and much more.
Central Exhibition Hall"Manege" is open from 11 am to 8 pm, and on Wednesdays until 9 pm
For the convenience of visitors, a cafe and a bookstore are open, wi-fi is available. Comfortable parapet benches are installed on the 1st floor for relaxation and Internet surfing.
How to find
The horse guards arena is located in the center of the Northern capital, on St. Isaac's Square, 1. It is more convenient to pass from the side of the station. m. "Admir alteyskaya".
