Hielotrón: The Story of Seville’s Extraordinary Ice Rink
The Hielotrón was a former ice-skating and leisure complex near Montequinto. This article looks back at a vanished building, not a rink you can visit today. Designed by Prada Poole, its ice-rink project received the National Architecture Prize in 1975, as documented by La Casa de la Arquitectura. The complex combined skating with other leisure facilities.
Continue exploring the city’s past through our old photographs of Seville.
More than an ice rink: the Hielotrón complex in Montequinto
The Hielotrón opened on 13 April 1976, promoted as “The Spaceship on Ice”. Early announcements promised morning and afternoon opening to meet demand. Soon afterwards, an ice ballet gala raised funds for the Red Cross.
A little over a month after opening, a letter in ABC’s letters section complained about accessibility for wheelchair users and people with physical disabilities.
The opening brought Seville a sport that had previously seemed distant from its warm climate.
The final round of the Spanish ice-hockey championship
Spain’s winter-sports federation entrusted Seville with hosting the final round of the national ice-hockey championship. Four semi-finalists took part: Txuri Urdin Donostiarra, FC Barcelona, Casco Viejo Bilbao and CH Jaca. Barcelona beat Casco Viejo 7–6 in the final to claim its first national title. Although the rink had already opened, the complex’s official inauguration took place during the championship.
The rink also supported a local ice-hockey team competing in the national league. Its development was interrupted by the roof’s collapse and the resulting closure.
During the complex’s almost two years of activity, it also hosted judo competitions, federation meetings and motocross events on the adjoining circuit, featuring leading Spanish riders.
Shows included Magic Kingdom on Ice, promoted as a world of wonder for all ages; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, performed by its skating school during El Corte Inglés’s children’s festival for Father’s Day in 1977; and the inaugural Red Cross benefit gala.
There were concerts by Triana and Granada and a recital by Luis Pastor. During Spain’s political transition, the venue also hosted gatherings of emerging political groups.
Promotions included a summer 1976 tribute to Sevillian women, who entered free after 10 pm while the complex remained open until 2 am.
The following summer brought a package including skating equipment, films and dancing: 100 pesetas for adults, 60 for children and free admission for women. Everything came down—literally—on 24 February 1978.
The tragic ending
The original account describes storm winds leaving a scene of ruined fabric and exposed metalwork. Architect José Manuel de Prada Poole reportedly disputed the explanation, saying the structure was designed for winds much stronger than those recorded that night.
Other theories suggested electrical failure or damaged fabric. Rumours about the project’s financial viability also circulated, but these explanations were not proven. The storm remained the stated reason for the collapse.
The initial idea was to reinflate the domes and reopen. Smaller domes were reportedly restored within days, leaving the main rink uncovered. Repair costs, estimated in millions of pesetas, discouraged supporters of rebuilding.
On 20 March, the original account records an announcement that the Hielotrón would resume operation as an open-air rink. The aim was to raise enough money to restore the central dome.
The Hielotrón’s legacy in Seville
After intensive cleaning and repairs, some activity resumed, but the central dome was never restored. The dream of a permanent rink in hot Seville ended, along with the hopes of skaters and hockey players who wanted to practise without leaving the city.
Motocross events continued in 1978 on the surrounding Monte Olivo circuit, some counting towards the Spanish championship. The loss of the complex was especially striking given its 1975 National Architecture Prize and its advanced safety systems. Prada Poole defended the completeness of those systems after the collapse.
Architecturally, the project used modest resources: a concrete base, artificial-fibre fabric and cables to create an imaginative environment around the rink. Inflatable domes served as screens, with 18 projectors on masts creating a continuous image across their surfaces.
Two ice passages led from the main rink into projected scenes: an African river with canoes and hundreds of paddles, a motor-racing circuit or migrating storks. The Seville Ice Hockey Club competed for two seasons, the second interrupted by the collapse, leaving a sporting dream tied to the Hielotrón’s short life.
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Architecture award checked against the 1975 prize record at La Casa de la Arquitectura.
