Moves are underway to induct Katowice’s iconic ‘flying saucer’ building into the provincial register of monuments after controversial plans were announced by the city to demolish its external terraces.
The last-minute bid to save the outdoor walkways comes as construction crews moved into place after a 2023 report deemed the terraces a risk to public safety.
While the city says the external walkways will be rebuilt to the same “architectural concept” and using original materials where possible, news that the much-loved landmark stands to be altered has sparked a public outcry.
Viewed as one of Poland’s best examples of modernist architecture, the idea behind the Spodek was born when a competition was launched in 1959 to find a design for a new municipal sports hall.
While the city says the external walkways will be rebuilt to the same “architectural concept” and using original materials where possible, news that the much-loved landmark stands to be altered has sparked a public outcry.
Viewed as one of Poland’s best examples of modernist architecture, the idea behind the Spodek was born when a competition was launched in 1959 to find a design for a new municipal sports hall.
Although the space race was feverishly heating up, along with the public’s fascination with space exploration, according to Spodek’s designer, Professor Wacław Zalewski, the reasons for the likeness to an alien spacecraft were far more prosaic.
Aware that the region was honeycombed with underground mines, Zalewski thought of the surrounding land as a rough, unstable sea in which a ship with the fewest points of contact with the surface would best survive.
Using this idea as his inspiration, he and his close collaborator, Andrzej Żórawski, designed an inverted cone-shaped structure reminiscent of a UFO.
It was a hit. In fact, the Silesian Voivode, General Jerzy Ziętek, was so taken by the plans that he ordered it to be built not in Chorzów’s Park of Culture and Recreation as first intended, but in a more prominent location in the center of Katowice where it would become a futuristic symbol of this forward-looking city.
Aware that the region was honeycombed with underground mines, Zalewski thought of the surrounding land as a rough, unstable sea in which a ship with the fewest points of contact with the surface would best survive.
Using this idea as his inspiration, he and his close collaborator, Andrzej Żórawski, designed an inverted cone-shaped structure reminiscent of a UFO.
It was a hit. In fact, the Silesian Voivode, General Jerzy Ziętek, was so taken by the plans that he ordered it to be built not in Chorzów’s Park of Culture and Recreation as first intended, but in a more prominent location in the center of Katowice where it would become a futuristic symbol of this forward-looking city.
Its scope was also expanded. Not only would it hold a sports hall, but it would also be built to include a gym, an ice rink, a hotel and swimming pool. Ground on the project was finally broken in 1964, five years after the first design had been submitted.
Guided by the vision of architects Maciej Gintowt and Maciej Krasiński, what emerged was an engineering masterpiece that saw a tilted, wheel-shaped roof hoisted from the ground using a complex system of load-bearing cables. On the outside, meanwhile, 30,000 shell casings were added to the elevation (these were eventually removed in 2011, along with 100 tons of asbestos).
Zalewski, though, was correct to have been concerned about the solidity of the ground. With the Spodek’s new location set a stone’s throw from the nearest mine, rumors began to swirl that the structure would collapse.
Guided by the vision of architects Maciej Gintowt and Maciej Krasiński, what emerged was an engineering masterpiece that saw a tilted, wheel-shaped roof hoisted from the ground using a complex system of load-bearing cables. On the outside, meanwhile, 30,000 shell casings were added to the elevation (these were eventually removed in 2011, along with 100 tons of asbestos).
Zalewski, though, was correct to have been concerned about the solidity of the ground. With the Spodek’s new location set a stone’s throw from the nearest mine, rumors began to swirl that the structure would collapse.
Seeking to allay these fears, authorities drafted in 4,000 soldiers on the eve of Spodek’s opening, and these recruits road-tested the building by marching up and down the aisles while singing and clapping.
To much relief, the structure held and it was officially inaugurated on May 8, 1971, with a grand gala featuring the band Śląsk and other Eastern Bloc megastars such as Anna German and Ewa Decówna.
Other landmark events would quickly follow—in 1972, 10,000 ‘volunteers’ were cajoled into attending a marathon speech delivered by the Cuban leader Fidel Castro (who dressed appropriately by wearing a ceremonial miner’s uniform).
The same year, 250,000 filed through the Spodek’s halls for the public debut of the Fiat 126p, a tiny car that was at the forefront of the government’s ambitions to ‘motorize’ Poland.
To much relief, the structure held and it was officially inaugurated on May 8, 1971, with a grand gala featuring the band Śląsk and other Eastern Bloc megastars such as Anna German and Ewa Decówna.
Other landmark events would quickly follow—in 1972, 10,000 ‘volunteers’ were cajoled into attending a marathon speech delivered by the Cuban leader Fidel Castro (who dressed appropriately by wearing a ceremonial miner’s uniform).
The same year, 250,000 filed through the Spodek’s halls for the public debut of the Fiat 126p, a tiny car that was at the forefront of the government’s ambitions to ‘motorize’ Poland.
The Spodek’s versatility would become one of its calling cards, and among its features was Poland’s largest cinema screen, which saw huge crowds gather for sellout screenings of The Godfather, Star Wars and Apocalypse Now.
There was music, as well. Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Elton John and Metallica all performed in the Spodek during the Communist era, their gigs helping to lift the bleak sense of gloom that gripped the country at the time.
Tina Turner’s concert resonated, held as it was just days before the declaration of Martial Law in 1981.
There was music, as well. Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Elton John and Metallica all performed in the Spodek during the Communist era, their gigs helping to lift the bleak sense of gloom that gripped the country at the time.
Tina Turner’s concert resonated, held as it was just days before the declaration of Martial Law in 1981.
“There was nothing in the shops and the mood on the streets was terrible,” the music journalist Maria Szabłowska later recalled. “But I will never forget this concert—in all the hopelessness, it was as if we glimpsed some light at the end of the tunnel.”
But what Tina Turner could do, Elton John could do better. Peacocking onto the stage in 1984, his flamboyant performance proved one for the ages and is often cited as the arena’s finest moment—one fully in line with the Spodek’s cosmic pretensions.
The fall of communism brought more acts to the stage, including Robbie Williams, Depeche Mode, Marilyn Manson and The Prodigy. Some were more taken by it than others, with Deep Purple performing there nine times and counting.
But what Tina Turner could do, Elton John could do better. Peacocking onto the stage in 1984, his flamboyant performance proved one for the ages and is often cited as the arena’s finest moment—one fully in line with the Spodek’s cosmic pretensions.
The fall of communism brought more acts to the stage, including Robbie Williams, Depeche Mode, Marilyn Manson and The Prodigy. Some were more taken by it than others, with Deep Purple performing there nine times and counting.
But while the Spodek has undoubtedly made a musical impact, it is the sporting memories that remain the most cherished. Celebrated as the home of Polish volleyball, it was here that the national team clinched the World Championships in 2014 with a 3-1 win over Brazil.
It was also in the Spodek that Poland’s ice hockey squad achieved its most famous victory of all.
Earlier in 1976, the Poles had been steamrollered 16-1 by the USSR as the Soviet team cruised to Olympic gold.
It was also in the Spodek that Poland’s ice hockey squad achieved its most famous victory of all.
Earlier in 1976, the Poles had been steamrollered 16-1 by the USSR as the Soviet team cruised to Olympic gold.
Meeting in the Spodek months later in the World Championships, few gave the Poles a chance, but they turned the tables to record a stunning 6-4 win—although the Polish team would ultimately finish fifth, the win was enough to stop the Soviets from adding another title to their trophy cabinet.
However, not all memories have been so glorious. In 1998 the sports hall was the scene of some of the worst rioting in Polish football history when an indoor tournament held between nine teams descended into a bloodbath.
Over 1,000 of Spodek’s 11,000 seats were ripped out, and around 100 spectators required hospital treatment. Astonishingly, the situation is said to have escalated when rival fans began throwing sandwiches at each other.
However, not all memories have been so glorious. In 1998 the sports hall was the scene of some of the worst rioting in Polish football history when an indoor tournament held between nine teams descended into a bloodbath.
Over 1,000 of Spodek’s 11,000 seats were ripped out, and around 100 spectators required hospital treatment. Astonishingly, the situation is said to have escalated when rival fans began throwing sandwiches at each other.
In more recent times, the development of more modern stadiums and arenas in Poland has seen the Spodek’s importance wane, but even so, it continues to draw throngs of visitors for events such as giant e-gaming tournaments.
A bona fide cultural, sporting and architectural icon, Katowice’s UFO building currently finds itself the subject of frenzied debate as activists argue about how to conduct much-needed renovations without damaging its historic integrity.
As the future of the arena’s external terraces hangs in the balance, the provincial conservator has commissioned an independent expert to assess their condition while also promising to initiate proceedings to give the Spodek enhanced protection by adding it to the provincial register of monuments.
A bona fide cultural, sporting and architectural icon, Katowice’s UFO building currently finds itself the subject of frenzied debate as activists argue about how to conduct much-needed renovations without damaging its historic integrity.
As the future of the arena’s external terraces hangs in the balance, the provincial conservator has commissioned an independent expert to assess their condition while also promising to initiate proceedings to give the Spodek enhanced protection by adding it to the provincial register of monuments.
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