Manezhnaya Square in Moscow is one of the largest in the capital. It is located in the center of the city, surrounded by streets: Herzen – from the west, Mokhovaya – from the north, Tverskaya – from the east, and its southern part borders on the Alexander Garden and Red Square.
Story
Starting from the 12th century, there was a dense building on the site of Manezhnaya Square, but in 1493 all the wooden buildings near the Kremlin were demolished due to the risk of fire. In the 16th century, under Ivan the Terrible, the Oprichny Yard was located here, a little later, under Boris Godunov, a settlement of stirrup archers. In 1708, on the site of the settlement, a flea market was built with trading rows: Patchwork, Glutton, Blacksmith, Okhotny, Meat and others. Nearby were low-class taverns and doss-houses.
At the intersection of Mokhovaya and Tverskaya streets in 1670, the Moiseevsky convent was built, which burned down in 1737. He gave the name to Moiseevskaya Square, which would later become part of Manezhnaya Square. During the fire of 1812, this corner of Moscow was completely burned down. In 1817, the Exertsirgauz or Manege building was built here for drill training of soldiers. The territory surrounding the Manege was divided into small lanes, which got their name from the former shopping malls: Bolshoi and Maly Patchwork, Obzhorny and so on. They were built up with taverns, eateries, inns, shops.
With the beginning of the construction of the metro in 1932-1938, the buildings in the lanes were demolished. The vacant space was called Manezhnaya Square. In 1967, it was renamed in honor of the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution, and it became known as the “Square of the 50th Anniversary of the October Revolution.” Until the 90s of the last century, the square remained empty and served as a parking lot for numerous tourist buses. In 1993, it was ennobled, transformed according to the project of M. Posokhin and Z. Tseretelli, and returned to its former name. The ground part has become a cultural and promenade area with fountains, monuments, sculptures, and the underground part has become a three-story shopping center.
origin of name
The current name “Manezhnaya” comes from the Manezh building, one of the facades overlooking the square.
Buildings and sights of Manezhnaya Square
The Manege building is located on the south side of the square. The author of the project was the architect A. Betancourt. It was built in 1817 to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the victory in the Patriotic War of 1812, and completed in a record short time – 8 months. The design of the facades in the Empire style in 1825 was completed by O. Bove. This unique structure, 166 m long and 45 m wide, was erected without internal columns and had free space. Nothing prevented the 2,000th regiment of soldiers from marching and the mounted officers from entering.
Since 1831 the building has been used for organizing exhibitions, concerts and balls. Under Soviet rule, for some time there was a government garage in it, and since 1967 the Manege became known as the “Central Exhibition Hall”, exhibitions were held in it. In 2004, a fire broke out in the building, as a result of which only the walls remained. Subsequently, it was restored and partially redone. In addition to the Manezh, many more historical and architectural sights are concentrated around the square.
Chapel of the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God
Manezhnaya and Red Square are separated by the main gates of Moscow – Voskresensky with the Chapel of the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God. In the 17th century, a copy of the icon was brought from Athos and placed above the gate, making a small canopy. Later, a small stone chapel was erected for her, adjacent to the wall of the gate. The icon is very revered in Russia, it has long been considered miraculous, both kings and nobles, and ordinary people came to worship.
In 1929, the Bolsheviks plundered and destroyed first the chapel, and then the Resurrection Gate. Where the original list is now is not known for certain. In 1994, it was decided to restore the main gate with a chapel. A new list of icons for her was handed over from Athos. In 1995 the chapel was reopened.
Museum of Archeology of Moscow
Next to the chapel is the Museum of Archeology of Moscow. During the reconstruction of Manezhnaya Square and the construction of an underground shopping complex, many interesting historical artifacts were discovered. This was the impetus for the creation in 1997 of the Museum of Archeology. It is located at a depth of 7 meters, occupies a small room.
The main exhibit is a fragment of the 17th-century white-stone Voskresensky Bridge across the Neglinka River, which flowed between Tverskaya Street and Red Square, and was enclosed in a pipe in the 19th century. In addition, silver coins and vessels, objects of religious rites from the Moiseevsky Monastery, ancient weapons, dishes, jewelry, smoking pipes and much more are exhibited here.
Sculptures by Zurab Tsereteli
The decoration of Manezhnaya Square is a variety of sculptures created by Z. Tsereteli. These are the favorite heroes of Russian fairy tales and fables, located along the riverbed imitating the Neglinka: the Little Mermaid, the Frog Princess and Ivan Tsarevich, the fox and the crane, the old man and the fish, the firebird, Alyonushka, the wolf and the bear, etc. Another sculpture of the master can be see on the main dome of the mall. There is an equestrian sculpture of St. George killing a dragon with a spear. And in the bowl of the fountain “Geyser” – a magnificent four bronze horses, called “Seasons”.
Historical Museum and Monument to Georgy Zhukov
The State Historical Museum opened in 1875. This is the largest museum in Russia, with about five million exhibits. It presents the history of all of Russia from the Stone Age to the end of the 19th century. Here are exhibited tools and objects found at ancient sites, burial grounds, decorative and applied arts, utensils, clothes of kings, icons, early printed books, weapons, etc. In addition to the permanent exhibition, thematic exhibitions are regularly held.
In 1995, a monument to Marshal G. Zhukov, sculptor V. M. Klykov, was erected behind the Historical Museum. It is made of bronze and depicts a commander on horseback trampling German standards with his hooves. The monument was erected in honor of the celebration of the half-century victory in the war of 1941-1945.
Underground shopping complex “Okhotny Ryad”
The Okhotny Ryad shopping complex, opened for the 850th anniversary of Moscow in 1997, is located under Manezhnaya Square and occupies three underground floors. They have more than 100 shops, bank branches, bowling alleys, food courts, and travel agencies. The total area with underground parking is about 63 thousand m²
The Trade Complex is crowned by the World Clock composition, which is a glass dome surrounded by fountains, with a sculpture of George the Victorious at the top. From the outside, it looks like the northern hemisphere. From the inside, it looks like a dial divided into 24 sectors (time zones), showing the time of different cities on the planet. The dome moves slowly, making a complete revolution in a day.
Fountains and sculptural group “Seasons”
There are twelve fountains on the territory of Manezhnaya Square. They start their work on April 30, operate around the clock, and the season ends when the temperature becomes 0°C. The Geyser is considered to be the main fountain, since the opening of the season of fountains with a theatrical performance and a speech by the mayor began with it in Moscow until 2004. It got its name from the jets that shoot vertically upwards, resembling a geyser.
Four galloping horses are installed inside the fountain – “Seasons”. Each horse symbolizes the season of the year, and all together – the fast-flying time. Behind them is the Veil Fountain, whose jets rise in a water arch above the footpath. In the bed of the Neglinka River there are two fountains: “Snail” with spiral jets and “Grott”, in which small fountains surround the Little Mermaid lying on a stone. With the onset of darkness, the fountains are spectacularly illuminated, making Manezhnaya Square extraordinarily beautiful.
Sign “Zero kilometer of Russian roads”
Located at the Resurrection Gate. It is made of metal in the form of a half-meter octagon and is built into the pavement. The sign was installed in 1996 and symbolizes the beginning of the countdown of kilometers of Russian roads. According to the existing belief, if you stand on the sign with your back to the Resurrection Gate and throw a coin, then all your wishes will come true.
Mass events on the square
Political rallies and demonstrations were often held at Manezhnaya. Opponents of the State Emergency Committee gathered here in August 1991, Spartak fans in 2002 and 2010, supporters of A. Navalny in 2014. Folk and city holidays are celebrated on the square: City Day, Maslenitsa, Christmas, Easter, etc. A huge Christmas tree is set up for the New Year, a fair, theatrical performances are held. Artists and musicians have repeatedly performed here, a rally-concert dedicated to the 4th anniversary of the annexation of Crimea to Russia with a live broadcast was held.
Where is it located and how to get there
The square is located in the center of Moscow near the Kremlin. The Okhotny Ryad metro station goes to it. A five-minute (350 m) walk away are the stations: Teatralnaya, Ploshchad Revolyutsii.