Ciniselli Circus on Fontanka river

The circus, located on the embankment of the Fontanka River, was opened on December 26 in 1877. It was designed by the architect Vasily Kennel and became the first stone circus in Russia. The magnificent building is decorated with sculptural compositions and was considered to be one of the best circus constructions in Europe. In the arena of this circus the numerous performances of clowns, trained animals, and their famous trainers, gymnasts and jugglers took place.