Moscow Manege
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Moscow Manege is a large square building with an historical background.
Moscow_Manege.jpg
Designed by French architect Bétancourt with a roof without internal support on top 45 m pillars it was erected by the Russian architect Joseph Bové from 1817 to 1825. Its style is classic, the colours white and yellow. It was used first to have parades of horsemen and a training school for officers. From 1831 to our days it was an exhibition place and in the recent years housed a bank shop.
On 14 March 2004 the building caught fire and burnt to the ground, killing two firefighters and leaving just the walls remaining on site. The official story is that a short-circuit caused the fire (the building has been been used as an art gallery after the breakup of the Soviet Union), but given the trustworthiness of Russian government officials (the state is very corrupt), speculation abounds. Gasoline canisters have been found in the wreckage, and the city has recently been in a stalemate with a government ministry charged with protecting historic sites. The city wanted to convert the building into a parking garage, but the ministry blocked its efforts. It's possible that either the City or a potential investor started the fire.
Since the fire, the city has again asked to go ahead with its plans to build a 2 story underground parking garage on the site.de:Manege (Moskau) fr:Manège de Moscou