Berlin OLYMPIASTADION (Olympic Stadium)
Berlin’s Olympiastadionis the second largest sports stadium in Germany after Signal Iduna Park. It is where the World Cup Finals in 2006 was held. It is also the home stadium of the world famous football team Hertha BSC. This large stadium can accommodate 74,064 visitors with a total number of 4,226 business seats, 63 VIP lodges and 13 sky boxes. Built between 1934 and 1936, it was intended to be the venue for Olympic Games in 1936.
After its construction, further improvements where made including the installation of floodlights and the adding of two roofs on the upper tiers in 1972 and 1973. Furthermore, three matches were played in the stadium during the World Cup in 1974. In 1998, the Berlin Senate decided to develop the stadium to remain as a multi-purpose stadium. The lower tier was renovated and a new roof was installed as it was completed in 2004. These renovations were designed by architects GerkauMarg and Partner Group. The Olympiastadion was later granted to host the World Cup Finals in 2006 where four group matches, a quarter-final, and the final between Italy and France were played.
Another stadium was previously built on the area where the Olympiastadion is now located.
The DeutschesStadionwas originally designed and built for the Summer Olympics in 1916. However, the event was aborted and a new stadium, the Olympiastadion, was built for the 1936 Olympic Games. The two stadiums were built by father and son Otto March and Werner March. Amazingly enough, the stadium was not badly damaged by the Allied air raids and bombings during the Second World War. It was used as the headquarters of the British Military occupation after the war and later hosted an 8-nation track-and-field competition for Allied Forces soldiers.
The Bell Tower is situated in the western end of the ReichsSportfieldset among the tiers of the Maifeld stands. It is 77 metres high and was therefore used as an observation deck for administrators and police officials, doctors and the media during the games. The Bell tower was totally destroyed during the war. The Soviets set the stored archivesin the tower on fire. Hence it was greatly damaged and was destroyed by British Engineers in 1947 and later recreated the edifice between 1960 and 1962. The Olympic Bell of the tower is the only thing that remained after the war. It was adorned with the Olympic Rings with an eagle, the year 1936, the Brandenburg Gate, the date 1-16, the month August, two swastikas with the motto “I call the youth of the world” in between, and the number 11 representing the Games of the XI Olympiade.
The restored Bell Tower and the Olympic Bell, is currently an important tourist spot. Tourists and Visitors can take advantage of the magnificent panoramic view of Berlin, Spandau, the Havel Valley, Potsdam, Nauen, and Hennigsdorf. Stadium Tours are also available for those who would like to visit the area. There are available tours with audioguide, guided tours in German, and a special Hertha Tours. These tours are available at different hours during summer and winter months.