Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic in Szczecin

The Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic in Szczecin is a modern cultural institution that has been housed in a new, distinctive building on Małopolska Street since 2014. Designed by Estudio Barozzi Veiga, the building resembles the peak of an iceberg and has won numerous architectural awards, including the prestigious European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award in 2015. The Philharmonic has a rich history dating back to 1948, when its inaugural concert took place. It gained prominence in the early 1950s and was transformed into the State Philharmonic in 1953. Currently, Dorota Serwa serves as the director, and Rune Bergmann is the artistic director. The new building features two concert halls – the Symphony Hall with 953 seats and the Chamber Hall accommodating 192 spectators, both designed with exceptional acoustics in mind. The Symphony Hall, nicknamed the "Sun Hall," offers sound quality comparable to that of the Golden Hall at the Musikverein in Vienna. The Philharmonic supports the development of young musicians by organizing workshops and educational concerts, as well as collaborating with renowned artists worldwide. In 2014, during its first few months of operation, the new venue attracted around 55,000 visitors, highlighting its popularity. The building is also illuminated in various colors depending on artistic events and occasions, making it one of Szczecin's key cultural landmarks.