Like a giant UFO, the Avicii Arena looms over the southern part of Stockholm. The skyview, which brings visitors to the top of the building, is one of Stockholm’s most recent attractions.
Originally known as the Globe Arena (Arena Globen), this peculiar building is located in the district of Johanneshov, just south of Södermalm. Since 2009 the arena, commonly known as Globen, has been officially known as the Avicii Arena.
The arena
The arena was designed by Berg Architects as the world’s largest hemispherical building. With its distinctive shape, seen for miles around, it soon became a modern symbol of Stockholm. The arena, which opened in 1989, has a diameter of 110 meters and a ceiling height of 85 meters.
The arena is used as a multifunctional event hall, and hosts sports competitions, cultural events and concerts. The first major competition held here was the 1989 Ice Hockey World Championships. International stars such as the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Luciano Pavarotti have performed here for audiences of up to 16,000 people.
Skyview
In 2010 a new attraction opened at the Arena: skyview. It consists of two spherical glass gondolas, attached to rails on the side of the sphere. Each gondola has room for sixteen people, who can enjoy a fabulous unobstructed view over Stockholm from the top of the sphere, at a height of 130 meters (427 ft) above sea level.
Globen City
The area around the arena has been developed into a new micro-city known as Globe City, which boasts a shopping gallery with more than 150 stores. Nearby are two more indoor arenas (Annexet and Hovet) as well as two outdoor stadiums.