The story of Centennial Hall

Step inside this vast concrete dome and you are in an early landmark of reinforced-concrete architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2006. Max Berg designed the Centennial Hall and it was built in 1911–1913 for exhibitions, concerts, theatre, opera and sport. Its name recalls a centenary: in March 1813 King Frederick William III of Prussia issued his call to arms against Napoleon here in Breslau, and in October 1813 Napoleon was defeated at the Battle of Leipzig.

The hall opened as part of the hundredth-anniversary celebrations, paid for by the city itself after state money failed to come. Hans Poelzig laid out the grounds around it, with a pond and fountains enclosed by a huge half-elliptical concrete pergola and, to the north, a Japanese garden.

The hall largely escaped the siege of 1945; afterwards it was renamed People's Hall, and in 1948 the tall Iglica spire rose in front of it. Renovated most recently from 2009, it now holds 10,000 people and still hosts sport and concerts.