In the early nineteenth century on the banks of the canal that separated from the Admiralty "New Holland", it was built new buildings Horse Guards regiment. In this complex and entered the arena, one of the latest creations of the great Giacomo Quarenghi. In terms of riding is a long rectangle. In the past, almost the entire stock was one big room, where the soldiers of the Life Guards regiment, who was considered the preferred and enjoyed the exclusive attention of members of the imperial family, practiced in autumn and winter season in the riding. Here parades and other celebrations. There were also rumors that the Manege was connected by an underground passage to the Winter Palace, and this move was so high that it could go on horseback.

The interior of the hall of the arena was in the military a simple and concise. Modestly resolved architect and side facades. But the main facade facing the square, decorated with complex and rich, majestic and strict portico, topped by a pediment. In the central part of the double colonnade forms a strong game of light and shade that complements the monumental small extent in their end facades.

Here installed reliefs, made with great skill by an unknown author, representing the dynamic and intense scenes of horse races that take place in the Roman Hippodrome. Before portico tower a small copy of the marble antique sculptures brothers Dioscuri, who ordered Giacomo Quarenghi in Italy, whose originals can be seen in Rome before Quirinal Palace. Sculptures made of Carrara marble depicting scenes of taming a horse person, carved Triscorni Paolo in 1810, are among the most brilliant collection of masterpieces of monumental sculpture of the city.

After the Revolution, the building was converted into the garage of the NKVD. He is to build on the second floor and ramps leading to it. During World War II the building was badly damaged. Since November 1977 it houses the "Central Exhibition Hall" Manezh ". The total exhibition area of ​​the hall is 4, 5 thousand square meters, which allows us to call it the largest exhibition hall of St. Petersburg.

The main types of work "Manege" has been holding various exhibitions, where you can get acquainted with the rich artistic life not only of St. Petersburg, but also in Russia and abroad. Exhibition projects are often combined with a meeting with prominent artists, seminars on culture and the arts, performances, concerts of classical and contemporary music, master classes.

To date, a collection of modern art of St. Petersburg, which collects the Central Exhibition Hall "Manege", has about 3,000 exhibits.