The Kovrov Merchants' Rows were built in 1892–1893. By the beginning of the 20th century, Kovrov became one of the most important industrial centres of the Vladimir region. The town had an iron foundry, a sawmill, several brick factories, and in 1916, it saw the start of construction of Russia's largest machine-gun factory. The industry development drove the city's growth. It was time when the Merchants' Rows were established.

St. George's Cathedral, where the Maltsov Crystal Museum is located, was built in 1892-1903 at the expense of philanthropist and owner of the crystal factory Yuri Nechaev-Maltsov. The interior was decorated by the talented Russian artist Viktor Vasnetsov.

The museum has an extensive collection of crystal items.

Today Gusev crystal is the national brand of Russia.

The unique monument to Karl Marx was erected in 1923, one of the first in the country, during the birth of a new revolutionary proletarian art, based on sketches by an ordinary worker at a factory in Sobinka. The monument was unveiled on November 7, 1923, on the occasion of the 6th anniversary of the October Revolution. It was placed in the square in front of the factory, where general meetings and rallies were held, and later became known as Karl Marx Square.