Martiniplaza

Martiniplaza in Groningen developed from the Martinihal, an exhibition complex opened in 1969 beside the city park. An adjoining events hall subsequently added space for concerts, sport, television productions and congresses. The Springerzaal, built in 1991, expanded the conference facilities and helped connect the exhibition and performance wings. Through successive enlargements and renovations, the complex became a venue for theatre, live music, trade fairs and major sporting events serving the northern Netherlands. Groningen's largest indoor venue takes its name from the Martini tower that dominates the northern Dutch city, and works as theatre, congress centre and arena by turns — a single complex expected to hold a symphony concert one evening and a very different crowd the next. Orff's Carmina Burana and Catulli Carmina have been performed there.