Growing importance of Breslau, which aspires to become a significant centre of meetings and exhibitions, has determined the need of constructing a hall and exhibition areas facilitating promotion of local industry and recreation. The one hundredth anniversary of passing the “To My People” Proclamation by King Frederick William III of Prussia to call for fight against Napoleon, provided the main incentive to create this facility.
It was erected between 1911 and 1913 according to a design by Max Berg, which assumed the construction layout comprising a central dome with a span of 65 meters, larger than Rome’s Pantheon or Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Reinforced concrete was a building material used to create this impressive dome. Architect’s final design included the main deck crowned with the dome, four adjacent apses and a circular lobby with oval-shaped rooms to provide meeting space. Construction of the Hall took only 20 months and the grand opening ceremony was held in May, 1913.
Since its opening, the Centennial Hall has been a prestigious venue for organisation of such events as the International Eucharistic Congress, the European Summit of Regions and Cities, and the International Forum of Entrepreneurs FUTURALLIA. The Hall’s capacity is demonstrated by the fact that such events as Solidarity’s Jubilee, the European Basketball Championship or the Motor Show Inter Moto were held in this complex. This year the Centennial Hall hosted the most important event related to Poland’s Presidency, i.e. the European Congress of Culture, during which 15 thousand accredited participants honoured the Hall with their presence. Between 8 and 11 September, 13 debates, dozens of meetings and more than 100 artistic events were held in the Centennial Hall, and some 300 artists, scientists and philosophers presented their projects in its facilities.
In 2006, the Centennial Hall was registered in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List as one of the key achievements of the 20th century architecture.
