Spodek

Spodek is a Polish noun meaning saucer, the small dish that accompanies a cup. In everyday Polish, the term is used for the saucer that sits under a teacup and, more broadly, for any saucer-shaped object.

Spodek also refers to a prominent indoor arena in Katowice, Poland. Opened in 1971, the venue is renowned for its distinctive circular, saucer-like silhouette and is considered a symbol of the city’s postwar modernization. The arena hosts a wide range of events, including concerts, sports competitions and conferences, and serves as a major venue for international tours and performances. Its flexible design allows for various configurations to accommodate large crowds and diverse event types.

Architecturally, Spodek is noted as an iconic example of late 20th-century design in Poland, blending elements of modernist and brutalist influence that were prevalent at the time. Over the years it has undergone renovations to update facilities while preserving its characteristic shape. Today, Spodek remains one of Poland’s best-known concert and sports venues and a landmark associated with Katowice and the Silesian region.