Teatra Letni
The Helena Majdaniec Summer Theatre (Teatra Letni) is set in one of the most beautiful outdoor cultural facilities in Poland. It is the summertime centre for culture in Szczecin and an architectural symbol of the city. Its rich cultural heritage, spectacular visual character, and harmonious coexistence with nature all contribute to the theatre’s identity. The theatre is situated on the green axis of Szczecin. The surrounding Park Kasprowicza has served for over a century as the most popular recreational area for city residents. The building smoothly blends into the steep slope of the Niemierzyńska Valley, surrounded by a dignified stand of trees and the charming Lake Rusałka. The idea of setting a modern cultural facility in a green, open-air site arose in the 1970s via a social initiative of Szczecin citizens. The design with its characteristic arch was created by Szczecin architect Zbigniew Abrahamowicz. The symbol of the amphitheatre, the arch , alluded to the Gateway Arch in Saint Louis, designed by the Eero Saarinen. Flanagan Lawrence won the international competition for the design of the refurbishment of the new Summer Theatre in 2015. The concept focused on creating a formal dialogue between the most striking features of the 2700 seat amphitheatre: the arch, the roof, and the unique context of the site in the heart of Park Kasprowicza. The form of the roof is closely tied to the poetics of the landscape of the site. Walking towards the amphitheatre from the city, gradually the white arch emerges from the green tree cover, contrasting with the surroundings. This impact is so strong that the whole design is almost organically subordinated to this emotion. The entrance sequence includes a multifunctional open-air foyer with a terrace running along the crown of the amphitheater, opening views of the park's greenery and the Rusałka lake, and directly on the stage. The new roof is the most striking element of the new amphitheatre, a thin fabric grid-shell, which hugs the form of the natural hillside amphitheatre, passing through and under the arch and dramatically rising over the stage. Our aim was to create a “window” for the audience to view the scenery of Lake Rusałka beyond. The dynamic geometry of the roof arose out of a multidimensional analysis of a range of design guidelines and assumptions. It is adapted to the auditorium, the arch, and the terrain. The lightness and spaciousness of the roof was obtained through a refined steel grid shell construction. The outside of the roof is covered by a technical fabric stretched over the arches to form a visually striking, diamond-shaped coating, while a specialized acoustic fabric forms the inside of the roof which optimizes the space for amplified music. The use of such an arrangement of acoustic materials is highly innovative and was aimed at creating an outdoor amphitheatre with the finest acoustics and stage technology in Europe. The naturally ventilated amphitheatre, offering high sound quality, suits the post pandemic model for the functioning of outdoor cultural facilities.
Water Factory Education Centre
What if we created a space where water is the central theme, reflecting its crucial role in our lives? Water Factory in Szczecin is more than just the region’s largest leisure complex – it’s a unique destination where recreation meets education and culture. At its heart lies the Edukatorium – a 4,500 m² interactive learning center, designed to spark curiosity and discovery through hands-on experiences. Here, water isn’t just a theme – it’s the beginning of everything. Quite literally, as the space is built around the largest model of a water molecule ever created. The concept revolves around six scientific disciplines – mathematics and physics, chemistry, biology, geography, history and humanism – presented on six knowledge platforms spiraling around a central core called the whirl of knowledge. This symbolic structure invites visitors to explore H₂O not just as a substance, but as the essence of life, a carrier of culture, and a lens through which we view the future. The Edukatorium is not a museum – it’s a dynamic, ever-changing place co-created with educational YouTubers and science communicators. Events under the EDU Inspirations series regularly bring together children, teens, seniors, and families. One such event, “CH₂O for a Day Off,” turned skipping school into a science adventure, with workshops on microbiology, edible insects, time-space bending, and more. The journey begins right at the entrance, in the interactive waiting zone. But the real launch takes place in the immersive animation elevator, inspired by Freedom Tower in New York and Burj Khalifa in Dubai. With visuals and sound recreating the launch of Apollo 11, visitors feel the countdown, ignition, and the rocket’s lift-off. As the elevator reaches the top floor, the animation transitions through the barrier of space – and the doors open to a universe of knowledge. What if we showcased water’s power and purpose at every turn, transforming a simple leisure facility into a vibrant educational and cultural hub? Water isn’t just present – it’s the narrative. The building’s fluid shape is inspired by the nearby river, emphasizing harmony between nature and cutting-edge technology. The facility offers over 2,400 m² of water surface across 17 different pools – including indoor, outdoor, sport, cascading infinity, and saltwater pools. Complementing these are 16 uniquely themed saunas, from desert oases to volcanic retreats. What if we took leisure beyond mere fun by integrating an educational center that empowers visitors through immersive experiences and collaborations with science communicators? Water Factory doesn’t just ask “What if?” – it lets you experience the answers.
Water Factory
The Water Factory in Szczecin, north-western Poland, stands as a groundbreaking masterpiece within the architectural and leisure landscape. The mission started with water, that is where life began, it is a crucial and fundamental aspect of our lives. The aim was for the people to get to know the nature of water and its meaning, for them to enjoy it and experience its positive impact. This design is a contribution to the environment and natural resources. This investment comprises 18 diverse facilities, seamlessly integrating outdoor and indoor swimming pools, saunas, ice skating rink, bowling alley, caves, slides, squash, gym, spa, cinema, playground, spray park, river, climbing wall, and gastronomy. The central part of the building -entrance hall- is emphasized by the linden alley. Binary hall is a bridge connecting both wings of the building. Consequently in the heart of the complex emerges a public space accessible from outside as well as inside. The meeting point bustling with life enables people to communicate along the promenade, inviting everyone to further exploration. Our main goal was for the facility not to constitute an urban barrier in the densely populated city center. It was this aspect that convinced the jury to our concept. As a result, a linear park was created that jumps through the roof of the connector to the other side of the plot. Apart from the outdoor swimming pool zone, which is a paid zone, the remaining area is completely open to residents without any fees. The symbol of the design is the river – the element that has helped to build cities and had a great historical and economical impact on Szczecin. The building's elevation is a result of a harmonious dialogue with nature, particularly the river. Its fluid lines and creased facade echo the dynamic motion of water, symbolizing not only environmental integration but also the technologically advanced functions embedded within. Total surface of the water table reaches over 2400 square meters of 17 pools, consisting of recreational pool, sports pool, impressive “infinity” pools with a waterfalls-like overflow, safety-ensured space for children, bursting with health benefits brine pool, cinema pool with relaxing layout and huge cinema screen, outdoor pool and many paddling pools for the youngest. The integral part of the design are saunas, particularly 16 different themes including: dessert, castle, fireplace, paradise island, volcano, hammam and many more. This project transcends aesthetics, incorporating precision through cutting-edge technologies like BIM and VR. The Water Factory goes beyond conventional leisure spaces, featuring a 4,500-square-meter educational center designed by architects. This center serves as a hub of knowledge, fostering a unique connection between visitors and information. Collaborations with educational YouTubers enrich the experience, allowing visitors to revisit impactful topics.
Water Factory - Culture & Sport Complex
The town of Szczecin for decades was trying to create a Culture & Sports Center for everyone. The proposal for fulfilling this dream was a new complex in the middle of the residential area that creates open public space. The main idea was to create an undisturbed pedestrian flow through the building. Like river Odra goes through the town of Szczecin and creates public space for the people at the riverfront, we separated building into two structures. Each structure contains a different function. Eastside is sport and recreation, Westside Culture & Education. They are connected through the so-called "bridge". Beneath clients can use both attractions without the need of going outside. Above outsiders using gentle ramps can clime on top and see the panorama of the complex. Both structures with each natural curved shaped facade create public space.
Get optimized routing, transit times, and turn-by-turn directions.
Open in Atlas MapFrequently Asked Questions
How long does the Szczecin architecture walking tour take?+
The self-guided walking tour covers approximately 10.9 km with 3 stops. Allow approximately 3 hours including 20 minutes of viewing time per building.
Is the Szczecin architecture tour free?+
Yes, this is a completely free self-guided walking tour. You can view the route on the interactive map, export it to Google Maps for navigation, and explore at your own pace.
Do I need to book the Szczecin architecture tour in advance?+
No booking is required — this is a self-guided tour that you can start at any time. All buildings can be viewed from the outside. For guided tours with expert commentary, we recommend checking GetYourGuide for local architecture tours.
What is the best time to do the Szczecin architecture walking tour?+
Morning light (before 11am) is ideal for photography of building facades. Weekdays tend to be less crowded around commercial buildings. Allow a full morning or afternoon for the complete tour.