The Centennial Hall of Wroclaw: history of a modern architecture in reinforced concrete classified World Heritage Site

ABSTRACT The Centennial Hall in Wroclaw is a pioneering example of early twentieth century modern architecture and engineering. The construction of its reinforced concrete dome, the largest then built, was a daring initiative which, just for its extraordinary nature, used the most advanced technology of its time. Of particular compositional beauty, this work is equipped with innovative structural qualities, evidently linked to the very nature of reinforced concrete, capable of molding itself in any architectural form. The history of its construction and the reasons that led to its cataloging on the Unesco list, as a priceless cultural heritage, are an important example of the transitory evolution of the concept of ‘cultural heritage’, aimed at incorporating works which, in the past, struggled to be considered assets to be protected. Through this article we want to describe those architectural and technological and landscape peculiarities that have made the Centennial Hall a masterpiece of man’s creative genius; as well as an extraordinary example of composition that has become the spokesperson for one of the most relevant and suggestive phases of the history of world architecture.