Palau Sant Jordi exhibition centre, Barcelona
Palau Sant Jordi
Built for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, the Palau Sant Jordi is one of the city's most popular indoor arenas. Used for sporting events, musical concerts and trade shows, the Palau Sant Jordi is able to hold a large number of people - 17,000 for sporting events and 20,000 for concerts.
The arena was originally used in the 1992 Olympic Games for the artistic gymnastic events as well as playing host to the handball and volleyball finals. However since the Games ended, the arena's usage has been extended by the installation of a perimeter athletic track and an ice skating rink. As such, the Palau Sant Jordi has hostedthe IAAF Indoor World Athletics Championships, the Eurobaskets and the Davis Cup. It is also expected to be oneof the main venues for Spain's hosting of the 2014 FIBA World Championships.
As you'd expect from such a popular venue, large television screens have been put in so as to give the audience a closer 
look at the action they are viewing. In most cases, this is live musical performances. In recent months, the arena has played host to some of the biggest names in music at the moment including Alicia Keys, The Arctic Monkeys and classic rockers KISS.
Designed by Japanese architects Arata Isozaki and Mamoru Kawaguchi, the Palau Sant Jordi is situated in Barcelona's 'Olympic Ring', where many of the Games' sites were built. Despite it's classical look, the modernity of the arena saw Barcelona become one of Europe's contemporary cities and remains a proud achievement in the city's development.
Arguably resembling a large turtle, the Palau Sant Jordi is a distinctive sight in Barcelona and one of the city's most popular venues.
