What does it remind you of?
Ok, ladies and gentlemen, here it is: the most popular attraction of Katowice - SPODEK! It is true that many do not need to be introduced, because it is a showcase in itself, representing the city for fifty years (yes, this year we celebrate the 50th anniversary - all the best).
This unique sports and entertainment hall in the shape of a UFO space ship (version for the Americans) or a teacup saucer (version for the British) is located in the very centre of the city, at the main roundabout in Katowice, at the junction of Korfantego and Roździeńskiego avenues, one of the largest and the most important streets in the city, so it's impossible to miss it! This avant-garde building aroused much controversy at the time when it was built. Its sloping, non-standard structure aroused fear and admiration among people visiting it. And, at one time, quite a lot of people can visit it, because it has an audience of over eleven thousand places.
Interestingly, the first idea to build this hall arose already in the 1950s and initially it was to be built in the area of today's Silesian Park (Park Śląski, the largest city park in Europe, located on the border of Katowice and Chorzów). Finally, it was decided to locate it in the very centre of the city, in a representative place.
The Spodek Arena became a symbol not only of Katowice, but also of Poland in a sense, as in the 1980s and 1990s it became a window to the Western world. It was here that the first Polish concerts of Metallica (1987), The Cure (1996), Genesis (1997) took place, and Deep Purple and Pearl Jam recorded their DVD concerts here. The Prodigy, Rammstein, and Depeche Mode also performed here, which made this hall the Polish home of world rock.
Top Polish rock bands also had their biggest concerts here. But not only rock reigns supreme in this area. The Rawa Blues Festival and the MAYDAY- electro music festival are also regularly held here.
These great musical events were not the only opportunities to attract crowds of people. Very often, Spodek hosts some big, international sports events, such as the world and European championships in volleyball, basketball, handball and hockey. It was here in 2014 that Polish volleyball players became world champions.
Since 2013, another, very important world event has been held here, the INTEL EXTREME MESTERS finals, during which Katowice becomes the world capital of video gaming, attracting thousands of people from around the globe and the greatest e-sport stars.
Oh, if you are curious what the shape of the Spodek Arena reminds me of, then in the evening when it is lit (especially with blue or red lights) I see a huge burner waiting for someone to put a huge pot on it with hot soup inside!
