Let's discover one iconic place in Biel/Bienne.

A must-visit place in Biel/Bienne

The Coupole/ Chessu is a cultural complex located in the city of Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. It is a domed building constructed in 1933 to house an exhibition and performance hall.

About the building

The building was designed by the Swiss architect Fritz Baumgartner in the Art Deco style. It has a diameter of approximately 60 meters, and its height varies from 18 to 35 meters. The Coupole in Biel/Bienne is a unique example of industrial architecture from the interwar period.guerres.

Since its construction, the Coupole has been used for a variety of cultural events, including concerts, exhibitions, fairs, conferences, and dance performances. The building underwent renovation in 2006 and is now considered one of the most important cultural venues in the region.

The Coupole of Biel/Bienne in pictures

The different names for the dome are

Biel/Bienne Expo
Expo 03
la halle des expositions
le dôme de Biel/Bienne
Chessu in swiss german
or simply "La Coupole"

Important Dates in the History of La Coupole

1933 Construction of La Coupole is completed.
1936 La Coupole hosts the Swiss Machine Tool Exhibition.
1954 La Coupole is used as a concert hall for the first time.
1983 La Coupole is classified as a historical monument.
1998 La Coupole is acquired by the city of Biel/Bienne.
2001 The city of Biel/Bienne decides to renovate La Coupole, transforming it into a modern cultural and events center.
2003 La Coupole serves as the main site for Expo 02, a Swiss national exhibition.

These dates represent only a small part of the history of La Coupole in Biel/Bienne.

An unusual fact about La Coupole

An unusual fact about La Coupole in Biel/Bienne is that it was used as a backdrop for the Swiss science fiction film "Cargo," released in 2009. The director, Ivan Engler, chose La Coupole to represent a space station in the film due to its unique architecture and dome, making it an ideal location to create the illusion of a human habitat in space.

Scenes were filmed both inside and outside La Coupole, with special effects added later to create the illusion of space. This use of La Coupole in a science fiction film added to its status as an iconic and diverse cultural building.

The dimensions of La Coupole are as follows

Diameter: approximately 60 meters
Height: varies between 18 and 35 meters, depending on the part of the dome
Interior Area: approximately 2,000 square meters
The dome of La Coupole is supported by a steel structure and is covered with a corrugated metal roof.