In the early nineteenth century canal that separated from the Admiralty of New Holland, were built new building of the horse guards. This complex includes an arena, one of the last works of Giacomo Quarenghi. In terms of the arena is an elongated rectangle. In the past, almost the entire volume was one large room in which the soldiers of the Life guards cavalry regiment, which was considered privileged and enjoyed the exclusive attention of members of the Imperial family, practicing in the autumn and winter riding. There were parades and other celebrations. It was rumored that the arena was connected by an underground passage with the Winter Palace, and the speed was so high that it was possible to go on horseback.

The interior halls of the arena was in the military simple and concise. Modestly designed by the architect and the side facades. But the main facade, facing the square, decorated with a difficult and rich: the majestic and austere portico topped with a pediment. In its Central part double colonnade forms a strong play of light and shade that complements monumentality in small end of its length of the building facade.

It also installed the bas-reliefs, executed with great skill by an unknown author, depicting a dynamic and intense scenes of horse races taking place at the Roman Hippodrome. Before the towering portico reduced copies of antique marble sculptures brothers the Dioscuri, who ordered Giacomo Quarenghi in Italy, whose originals can be seen in Rome in front of the Quirinal Palace. Sculpture in Carrara marble, depicting the scene of the taming of the horse man, sculpted by Paolo French casement window in 1810, are among the brightest in the collection of masterpieces of monumental sculpture in the city.

After the revolution the building was converted into a garage of the NKVD. He added the second floor and leading onto the ramps. During the great Patriotic war the building was very badly damaged. From November 1977 here is "Central exhibition hall "Manege". The total exhibition area of the hall is about 4, 5 thousand square meters, making it the largest exhibition hall of St. Petersburg.

The main types of work of the CEH "Manege" was holding various exhibitions where you can see the rich artistic life not only Petersburg, but also in Russia and abroad. Exhibition projects are frequently combined with meetings with outstanding artists, seminars on culture and the arts, performances, concerts of classical and contemporary music, master classes.

On this day collection of contemporary art of St. Petersburg, which collects the Central exhibition hall "Manege", has about 3,000 exhibits.