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Spodek

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Multipurpose arena in Katowice, Poland For the fur hat worn by some Hasidic sects originating from Poland, see Spodik.
Spodek
The Spodek Arena after renovation, 2020
AddressAleja Korfantego 35, 40-005
LocationKatowice, Poland
Coordinates50°15′58″N 19°01′31″E / 50.26611°N 19.02528°E / 50.26611; 19.02528
Public transitTram interchange Katowice Spodek
Tram interchange Katowice Rondo
OwnerCity of Katowice
OperatorPTWP Event Center sp. z o.o.
Capacity11,036
Acreage29 473 m
SurfaceVersatile
Construction
Broke ground1964
Built1964-1971
Opened9 May 1971
Renovated2011
Expanded2009
Construction cost~800 million zł
ArchitectMaciej Gintowt & Maciej Krasiński from
Biuro Studiów i Projektów Typowych Budownictwa Przemysłowego (Warsaw)
Structural engineerWacław Zalewski
General contractorAndrzej Żórawski
Website
www.spodekkatowice.pl

Spodek is a multipurpose arena complex in Katowice, Poland, opened on 9 May 1971. Aside from the main dome, the complex includes a gym, an ice rink, a hotel and three large car parks. It was the largest indoor venue of its kind in Poland until it was surpassed by Tauron Arena in 2014.

The Spodek hosts many important cultural and business events. Music concerts are especially common non-sport events. It can hold around 11,500 people, although this number is in practice limited to 10,000 or even 8,000 due to stage set-ups obscuring the view.

Its Polish name refers to a flying saucer since its iconic shape resembles a UFO. Spodek is a major contribution to the cultural significance of Katowice in Poland, especially for the younger generations. It has also been used as an unofficial logo for the city on posters promoting redevelopment in Katowice. Moreover, Spodek is home to ice hockey clubs in the winter months.

History

The idea of building a large venue originated in 1955, while Katowice was temporarily renamed Stalinogród. A contest was held to select the best design. Initially, it was to be constructed on the outskirts of town, but the Voivodeship National Council decided it should be built near the city center. A mining waste dump site classified "2A" was chosen for construction.

The classification "2A" indicated medium mining damage with a possibility of local cave-ins. While excavating the foundations, the workers dug through coal instead of soil. Soon after construction began, rumors of design flaws in the new building spread, including the rumour that the dome would collapse when the scaffolding was removed. Because of this, in 1964, construction was halted for 18 months. Spodek's architects and chief engineers were present in the dome when the supports were dismantled as a statement against those rumors. Before opening the building to the public, as an endurance test, 3,500 soldiers marched throughout the hall; the vibration measurement was positive.

Technology

Architects Maciej Gintowt and Maciej Krasiński designed the Spodek to employ the principle of tensegrity, as one of the first major structures to do so. For the roof they used an inclined surface held in check by a system of cables holding up its circumference.

The structural engineer who conceived the unique tensegrity roof and made it work was Wacław Zalewski. His innovative structures included Supersam, a supermarket in Warsaw with a roof made up of alternating arches and cables, many unique industrial roofs in Poland, two basketball arenas in Venezuela with hanging roofs, the structure of the National Museum of Art in Caracas, the Venezuelan Pavilion at the Seville's Expo in 1992, and several bridges and roofs in South Korea.

Gallery

  • Spodek's interior during Intel Extreme Masters Katowice, 2015 Spodek's interior during Intel Extreme Masters Katowice, 2015
  • Night illumination of the façade, 2016 Night illumination of the façade, 2016
  • Spodek and the Katowice city centre at night, 2020 Spodek and the Katowice city centre at night, 2020
  • Spodek seen from NOSPR bridge, 2020 Spodek seen from NOSPR bridge, 2020
  • Spodek displaying the colors of the Ukrainian flag in 2024 Spodek displaying the colors of the Ukrainian flag in 2024

Hosted events

See also

References

  1. Rozpoczął się remont elewacji Spodka katowice.gazeta.pl Gazeta Wyborcza Katowice, 8 March 2011.
  2. https://archive.today/20120720122120/http://sport.onet.pl/koszykowka/reprezentacje/przed-euro-katowicki-spodek-po-modernizacji,3119428,0,fotoreportaz-maly.html sport.onet.pl, Onet.pl, Fotogaleria ze zmodernizowanego wnętrza Spodka
  3. PTWP Event Center, nowy zarządca Spodka i MCK, wybrał firmę do pilnowania i sprzątania obu hal, Nasze Miasto (Katowice), 2016-05-04
  4. "Katowice's Spodek 'flying saucer' celebrates 50th birthday". Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  5. Kibice wywalczyli nam polskie mecze Archived 2009-04-14 at the Wayback Machine, 15 January 2007

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