Moscow Manege

The Manege is one of the largest exhibition halls in central Moscow, sitting right next to the Alexander Garden and the Kremlin wall. It was built in 1817 to mark the fifth anniversary of the victory over Napoleon, as a riding school for imperial troops with a then revolutionary timber roof spanning 45 meters without intermediate supports. The Neoclassical structure was engineered by Augustin Bethencourt, with exterior facades designed by Joseph Bove. Since 1957 the hall has hosted art exhibitions and fairs; a 2004 fire destroyed the historic roof, which was subsequently reconstructed. Today it hosts changing exhibitions, book fairs and design shows.