Ciniselli Circus

Saint Petersburg, Russia

Circus Ciniselli was the first stone-built circus in Russia. The building, which still stands, was opened on 26 December 1877, with a large stage (13 meters in diameter) and stables (housing 150 horses). The architect was Vasily Kenel. The Italian circus performer Gaetano Ciniselli (1815-1881) first visited Saint Petersburg in 1847, as part of the troupe of Alessandro Guerra. He returned to Russia in 1869, this time working with Carl-Magnus Hinne, his brother-in-law, in his circuses in Moscow and Saint Petersbrug. Ciniselli settled in Russia, and inherited Hinne's circuses in 1875.

The Ciniselli family managed the circus until 1921, when they emigrated. They would often lease the building to stage high-profile entertainment events, such as the World Wrestling Championship in 1898 and Max Reinhardt's production of Oedipus Rex which featured Alexander Moissi in 1911. In 1918 Iury Iurev revived the play using the original set. This was followed by the production of Macbeth featuring Maria Andreeva and Feodor Chaliapin.

Two halls in the building house the first circus museum in the world, opened in 1928.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 1877
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in Russia

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Fatima Alobeidli (17 months ago)
The circus is very amazing, the movements are impressive, and the time is fun. I recommend the interesting experience
Mohannad El Akabawi (3 years ago)
The best place for all ages for non stop fun ..and also specially for kids ll love it
Andrei Kodenko (3 years ago)
One of the oldest circus buildings in Europe. Always world class performances. Great place for children of all ages
Mikhail Merkushev (3 years ago)
Best Circus in my life from childhood to nower days! Take your kids there, it's worth it.
Oleg Naumov (3 years ago)
Circus of Ciniselli still stands over Fontanka River and this old Italian circus ? is still very popular. First wooden circus existed here in 1827 known as the Circus of Turner. Gaetano Ciniselli (1815-1881) brought that circus in 1872 and constructed new big circus. Circus Ciniselli was opened in 1877 and still existed. Signor Gaetano lived in Saint Petersburg till his death in 1881. Saint Petersburg, ?? Russian Federation ??. March 27, 2021.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Clementinum

The Clementinum is a historic complex of buildings in Prague. Until recently the complex hosted the National, University and Technical libraries, the City Library also being located nearby on Mariánské Náměstí. The Technical library and the Municipal library have moved to the Prague National Technical Library at Technická 6 since 2009. It is currently in use as the National Library of the Czech Republic.

Its history dates from the existence of a chapel dedicated to Saint Clement in the 11th century. A Dominican monastery was founded in the medieval period, which was transformed in 1556 to a Jesuit college. In 1622 the Jesuits transferred the library of Charles University to the Klementinum, and the college was merged with the University in 1654. The Jesuits remained until 1773, when the Klementinum was established as an observatory, library, and university by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.