Stadthalle Magdeburg - History

The Stadthalle celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2007.
The building was constructed on the occasion of the German Theatre Exhibition in 1927, built in the style of the German “Neues Bauen” (New Building) architectural movement. Since then, it has had a very eventful history.
On the 5th January 1927, the then Mayor Hermann Beims laid the first stone of the Stadthalle Magdeburg, which was designed and planned by the Magdeburg City Planning Director Johannes Göderitz. As an urban client, the city required a “grand and monumental structure“ to help establish Magdeburg as the most important exhibition and convention city in Central Germany, whilst providing a venue for physical training and adult education activities.
It was not long before the most advanced civic hall in Germany of its time had been constructed, measuring 22 metres high, 100 metres long and 50 metres wide and situated on the Elbe river opposite the Cathedral, nestled between the exhibition centre, observation tower and Pferdetor (Horse Gate). It also boasted one of the most modern organs in Europe.
The Stadthalle was used for the first time on the occasion of a press ball on the 28th May 1927, during the German Theatre Exhibition. It was officially inaugurated one day later. The German Theatre Exhibition was the first test for the Stadthalle, which it passed with flying colours, receiving a great deal of national and international attention. Following this exhibition, the Stadthalle became increasingly important for the citizens of Magdeburg and the surrounding area as a venue for all kinds of events. World-famous conductors such as William Furtwängler and Otto Klemperer gave guest performances in the Stadthalle and were impressed by its acoustics.
During the Second World War this situation changed fundamentally. On the 1st September 1944, the Stadthalle was converted into a military hospital. It was hit by the heavy air raid on the 16th January 1945 and by American artillery fire during the liberation of Germany, becoming a scene of destruction. In 1959, the SED (Socialist Unity Party of Germany) city government decided to reconstruct the Stadthalle. On the 15th April 1966, more than ten years after the end of the war, the town hall was able to be returned to the public. The citizens of Magdeburg made the reconstruction possible, putting the SED district party leadership under pressure by collecting donations amounting to over one million East German mark and displaying excellent job performance. The reconstruction led to substantial changes in the structure of the building, which brought the previously sky-high appearance of the Stadthalle somewhat back down to earth.
Nevertheless, the actual achievement of the reconstruction work is the preservation of a building that would otherwise have fallen into decay, giving it a secure future. Since the work was completed, the Stadthalle Magdeburg has become a “cult site” for all kinds of events, from dance and theatre performances to music events, events with a political background and business and family celebrations. A variety of people famous all over the world can boast that they have taken to the stage in the Stadthalle Magdeburg.