The Great Ice Palace (Sochi) - a unique structure

The "Big" (Ice Palace of Sochi) is a unique structure not only in size, but also in construction. The Sochi Palace was built for the 22nd Winter Olympic Games in 2014, and was opened a year earlier - in 2013. It is located on the territory of the Sochi Olympic Park.

Sochi Olympic Park

The Olympic Park is located in the administrative district of Sochi - Adler. The area occupies, it is possible to say, gigantic. The "Big" (the ice palace of Sochi) is only one of the structures in which it is located. Among others - the stadium "Fisht" (where the opening and closing of the Olympic Games was held in 2014), "Iceberg" (with the arena for figure skating and speed skating). "Adler-Arena" is another skating center, now transformed into the Expocenter. There is a playground for curling "Ice Cube", a hotel for IOC members, a journalistic information center, two training grounds.

Interestingly, there is a cemetery in the middle of the Olympic Park. The fact is that before the construction there was a settlement of Old Believers, which was later moved to a cottage village. The cemetery was unauthorized and the authorities did not know about it. When it was discovered, they decided to keep it.

A very spacious area, on foot, which is difficult to get around, so the services of tourists at the entrance to the park bike rental. You can also use rollers or scooters.

Come to the park better in the evening, as the beautiful backlight turns on. And in the season a very beautiful show of fountains. In the park you can ride on your mobile. The cost will depend on the number of passengers.

The park is free of charge.

Architectural features

"Big" is built in the form of a huge frozen drop. The structure, truly, unique. This design was used for the first time in Russia. It is installed on a giant concrete platform, which can withstand an earthquake of 9 points. The palace has 9 levels - floors, two of which are below the main level. One underground, another stylobate. "Stylobate" is not a common word for many people. Use it to determine the room, located under an elevated platform (stylobate), on which stands the main building.

The dome in the form of a drop is also unique. It is designed so that it can serve as a screen. It can display any light installations, broadcast matches. Looking at the pictures on the Internet is striking that all the time the different ice palace "Bolshoi" (Sochi). Photos that are made in the evening or at night, fascinating. It's just thanks to the dome-screen. In the daytime, the walls appear mirror, they shimmer in the sun like a precious stone. With the onset of twilight, the walls surprisingly become transparent, and through them you can see everything that happens inside.

It is interesting that during the construction of the ice palace "Bolshoi" (Sochi) was conceived as a portable structure and after the Olympics it could be sent to places where they need facilities for the development of sports. But the plans were not destined to come true. The concrete slab stuck firmly into the ground.

What is inside

The "big" ice palace of Sochi is the arena of the Sochi hockey club. There are all the hockey meetings, as well as other competitions for which an ice stadium is required.

This is a huge room, filled with light due to the design features. The stairs are small, ramps are equipped everywhere. There are many exits on each floor in order to avoid crushing when leaving after the end of the event.

The main ice arena is framed by stands. The capacity of the stands is up to 12 thousand spectators. The seats are compact, in order to accommodate more viewers. Other, more comfortable seats are equipped with VIP stands.

The first four rows are equipped with a moving device. It is necessary to change the area of the ice arena if necessary.

In the lower level there is a small training arena. It is somewhat smaller. There are training sessions for the hockey club and young athletes engaged in the ice palace.

"Big" (the ice palace of Sochi) is covered with a dome, in size in 12 hockey fields. The center is hanging a media cube. During matches or other events, close-ups of the players of the teams and the auditorium are broadcast here.

How to get there

Although you can no longer talk about where the ice palace "Bolshoi" (Sochi) is located. The address is all-such: Adler district, Imeretinskaya lowland, Olympic park.

You can get to the ice palace in the days of hockey matches from the railway station by buses specially launched by the hockey club "Sochi". And with the presentation of the ticket for the match travel will be free. If you do not have a ticket, you can buy it right on the bus and visit a meeting of hockey players.

From the railway station of Sochi to the Olympic Park there is a fixed-route taxi No. 124С. From the Lenin Square Adler there is a bus number 57. From the bus station there is a bus number 125.

You can get to the park and the train "Swallow", which run at intervals of half an hour and currently are the most reliable transport, because they do not depend on traffic jams, which are not uncommon in Sochi, especially in the season.