Moscow Gostiny Dvor
Encyclopedia
The Old Merchant Court in Moscow
occupies a substantial portion of Kitai-gorod
, as the old merchant district is known. Formerly accommodating both shops and warehouses, it was constructed of brick in the 1590s and underwent significant modifications from 1638–41. As the Russian capital expanded and the old structure became overcrowded, a new indoor market was completed nearby in 1665.
Giacomo Quarenghi
, the favored architect of Catherine the Great, in 1789 replaced those medieval buildings with a new shopping mall
designed in a sober Neoclassical style
with innumerable Corinthian columns and arcades. Several local Moscow architects including S. Karin, I. Egotov and P. Selihov supervised the actual construction. The first phase of was delayed because of the death of Catherine the Great and was not completed until 1805. Osip Bove made some modifications to adapt to the slope in the area and to finish following Quarenghi's original plans in 1830.
Subsequently, Quarenghi's structure went through many reconstructions. After the Revolution in 1923, the space was subdivided into offices altering the original design significantly. Recently a modern glass roof in 1995 was installed, when Gostiny Dvor was being converted into a fashionable exhibition
ground. Nowadays, the edifice is used as the setting for fashion shows, business parties, and even Viennese balls. Montserrat Caballé
and José Carreras
were among those who performed at the New Year parties in Gostiny Dvor.
During the 1995 renovations, lots of archeological work was done on the site. A small museum was established to exhibit some of the numerous finds which include the contents of a pantry from a 17th century merchant home that had been destroyed by fire. The exhibit hall is open daily, Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
occupies a substantial portion of Kitai-gorod
Kitai-gorod
Kitay-gorod , earlier also known as Great Posad , is a business district within Moscow, Russia, encircled by mostly-reconstructed medieval walls. It is separated from the Moscow Kremlin by Red Square. It does not constitute a district , as there are no resident voters, thus, municipal elections...
, as the old merchant district is known. Formerly accommodating both shops and warehouses, it was constructed of brick in the 1590s and underwent significant modifications from 1638–41. As the Russian capital expanded and the old structure became overcrowded, a new indoor market was completed nearby in 1665.
Giacomo Quarenghi
Giacomo Quarenghi was the foremost and most prolific practitioner of Palladian architecture in Imperial Russia, particularly in Saint Petersburg.- Career in Italy :...
, the favored architect of Catherine the Great, in 1789 replaced those medieval buildings with a new shopping mall
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
designed in a sober Neoclassical style
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
with innumerable Corinthian columns and arcades. Several local Moscow architects including S. Karin, I. Egotov and P. Selihov supervised the actual construction. The first phase of was delayed because of the death of Catherine the Great and was not completed until 1805. Osip Bove made some modifications to adapt to the slope in the area and to finish following Quarenghi's original plans in 1830.
Subsequently, Quarenghi's structure went through many reconstructions. After the Revolution in 1923, the space was subdivided into offices altering the original design significantly. Recently a modern glass roof in 1995 was installed, when Gostiny Dvor was being converted into a fashionable exhibition
Art exhibition
Art exhibitions are traditionally the space in which art objects meet an audience. The exhibit is universally understood to be for some temporary period unless, as is rarely true, it is stated to be a "permanent exhibition". In American English, they may be called "exhibit", "exposition" or...
ground. Nowadays, the edifice is used as the setting for fashion shows, business parties, and even Viennese balls. Montserrat Caballé
Montserrat Caballé
Montserrat Caballé is a Spanish operatic soprano. Although she sang a wide variety of roles, she is best known as an exponent of the bel canto repertoire, notably the works of Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi....
and José Carreras
José Carreras
Josep Maria Carreras i Coll , better known as José Carreras , is a Spanish Catalan tenor particularly known for his performances in the operas of Verdi and Puccini...
were among those who performed at the New Year parties in Gostiny Dvor.
During the 1995 renovations, lots of archeological work was done on the site. A small museum was established to exhibit some of the numerous finds which include the contents of a pantry from a 17th century merchant home that had been destroyed by fire. The exhibit hall is open daily, Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.