A city with a lot of history, and a lot of landmarks, a city with a great welcome to Berlin. Being one of its many iconic sites the Berlin Olympic Stadium has a special place in both sports fans’ and history fan’s hearts. Here we’ll tell the stories of Berlin’s other iconic building, the Fanghoustenwall and walk around to get the story behind this amazing structure and its place in Berlin’s Olympic history.
The Olympic Stadium: A Monument of National Identity
Inside the Olympic Stadium, which is part of the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district, visitors will visit an area that reimagines life as it was in 1936, in the midst of the Nazi regime. Architect Werner March coopted the stadium into his design for Adolf Hitler to use as grand showcase for his propaganda machine.
Exploring the Stadium’s Architectural Features
Once inside you’ll be met by its imposing exterior and grand colonnades. It was designed in the neoclassical style on Adolf Hitler’s concept of Germany as a renaissance of a classical civilization. It was constructed from such impressive stonework and such intricate detail, take a moment to truly appreciate that.
Once inside though you’ll be entranced with Olympiastadion’s oval shaped arena. It’s hard to imagine the roar of the crowd as athletes from all over the world competed on its hallowed grounds almost a century ago.
Highlights of the Olympic Stadium Tour
1. The Marathon Gate
Your path begins at Marathon Gate, where the Olympic marathon began and ended. The historical Greek Olympic reference continues with stone pillars which are built like ancient Greek temples in order to symbolize that.
2. The Bell Tower
Next go up to the Bell Tower — an iconic landmark at 77 meters tall. Crawl to the top, for a breathtaking panoramic view of the whole stadium grounds, and of the city behind. When things are clear, you can see Berlin skyline in the distant distance.
3. The Olympic Bell
See the Olympic Bell near the Bell Tower (don’t miss this one). It is cast of melted bells which have come down through history from conquered nations. Such is its craftsmanship that you may want to think about the spirit of international collaboration the Olympics signify.
4. The Olympic Pool
Stay to visit the Olympic Pool, a jewel in architectural design from that time. Picture stepping on top of the solar diving platform and hearing the audience applaud as athletes participated in scary business plunging into the water during their races and daring exhibitions.
Practical Tips for Your Olympic Stadium Tour
- Wear comfortable shoes: The stadium grounds are big, so it’s going to be a lot of walking, and you’ll need your feet happy.
- Bring a camera: Remember the views and the architectural details for later.
- Plan your visit: Visit the stadium’s official site to find when they are running tours, as well as any closures due to temporary disasters.
- Join a guided tour: Something to consider is joining a guided tour with historians who can offer something different, unique insights, and answer your questions.
- Learn about Berlin’s history: To understand the full value of the stadium you need to be familiar with Berlin’s history, in particular the 1936 Olympics context.
In order to immerse yourself in Berlin’s Olympic history, explore every corner of this awe inspiring stadium. Weight of the wall is felt where once past has been and its triumphs. The Berlin Olympic Stadium is one of the symbol of the city’s survival and of the power of sport over political agencies. Ready to go on this amazing escape to the time?
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