The History Of Berlin's Olympiastadion In 1 Minute

The story of Berlin’s Olympiastadion begins with the infamous 1936 Summer Olympics. The Nazis built the stadium according to the plans of architect Werner Marchas, a larger-than-life propagandistic mechanism intended to display to the world the prowess of Third Reich. Upon completion, the Berlin stadium housed 110,000 spectators for the Olympic games. Yet, its history does not end there.
Located just north of Grünewald Forest, the Olympiastadion consisted of 326 acre’s worth of sporting facilities equipped for equestrian events, hockey, swimming, football, and more. In addition to all this, the main stadium was outfitted with a special platform for Hitler and his associates to watch the games. Interestingly, the Olympiastadion itself was built on the foundation of the stadium erected for the 1916 Olympic games, which were canceled due to the onset of World War I.

Aside from the stadium complex’s bell tower, Olympiastadion made it through World War II relatively unscathed. Allied forces occupied various parts of the stadium immediately following the war and setup headquarters there. In fact, British forces remained stationed at the stadium in various capacities until 1994.

Simultaneously, parts of the Olympiastadion complex were still used for sporting events. the Bundesliga held football matches here, with Hertha BSC operating as its home team. During the 1960s, soldiers from the United States introduced American football to Berliners through a series of exhibition games. in 1974, multiple FIFA World Cup matches took place here as well.

In 1998, after much debate about what to do with the sprawling stadium that functions as a stark reminder of Germany’s past. Eventually, it was decided that Olympiastadion would be subject to a two-year renovation project. In 2006, it was the site of the FIFA World Cup.

Now, the stadium functions as a multipurpose arena. Hertha BSC still plays here, and the swimming pool is open to the public. Concerts are sometimes held here, and the Berliner Philharmonic pays in the Wäldbruhne, which is part of the Olympiapark. It is also possible to take a guided tour of the stadium where visitors can revel in its astounding history firsthand.

Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.

Our immersive trips, led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.?>

All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.