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The Berlin Olympic Stadium: a place of history, change and symbolism

The Berlin Olympic Stadium, one of the German capital's most famous landmarks, is much more than just a sports and event venue. It is a living piece of contemporary history that reflects political, cultural and sporting events over almost a century.

The origins: the construction for the 1936 Olympic Games

The history of the Olympic Stadium begins in the early 1930s. In the course of awarding the 1936 Olympic Games to Berlin, the National Socialist regime decided to build a monumental stadium as part of the Reich Sports Field. The stadium was designed by architect Werner March and built between 1934 and 1936. With a capacity of around 100,000 spectators, it was one of the largest stadiums in the world. The building style was characterised by monumental architecture that reflected the ideology of the National Socialists - power, size and superiority.

On 1 August 1936, the stadium was inaugurated with a lavishly staged opening ceremony. The 1936 Olympic Games were used by Adolf Hitler to demonstrate the supposed strength and superiority of the Third Reich. But they also became a symbol of resistance: the African-American athlete Jesse Owens won four gold medals, refuting Hitler's racist ideology on the biggest stage in the world at the time.

After the Second World War: reconstruction and reorganisation

After the end of the Second World War in 1945, the stadium stood in a destroyed and weakened Germany. It had been partially used for military purposes during the war and the Reichssportfeld site was also damaged. However, the Olympic Stadium survived the bombing largely unscathed.

In the post-war years, the stadium was initially used by the Allies as a venue for various events. From the 1950s onwards, it was once again used for sporting and cultural events. During the division of Germany, the Olympic Stadium was a symbol of West Berlin and the venue for numerous international competitions, including international football matches.

The 1974 World Cup and the time afterwards

The Olympic Stadium was modernised for the 1974 Football World Cup, but the basic architecture was retained. The stadium continued to serve as the home ground for the Berlin football club Hertha BSC and as a venue for concerts and athletics competitions.

In the decades that followed, however, the stadium began to show its age. Its technical equipment and comfort increasingly no longer met modern requirements. There was talk of demolishing or completely renovating the stadium.

The new Olympic Stadium: remodelling for the 21st century

When the 2006 World Cup was awarded to Germany, the decision was made to extensively modernise the Olympic Stadium. Between 2000 and 2004, it was renovated at a cost of around 240 million euros. The historic structure was preserved, while modern elements such as a new roof, VIP areas and an expanded infrastructure were added. The capacity was reduced to just under 75,000 spectators.

The renovated Olympic Stadium was ceremoniously reopened in 2004 and has been one of the most modern stadiums in Europe ever since. It was the venue for the final of the 2006 World Cup, in which Italy won the title against France. The worldwide attention made the stadium once again a symbol of international encounters and sporting competition.

The Olympic Stadium today

Today, the Olympic Stadium is a multifunctional venue. It is the home ground of Hertha BSC and the venue for the annual DFB Cup final. It also regularly hosts major concerts and cultural events, from international rock bands to opera performances.

The stadium remains a place to reflect on the past. The architecture and the grounds are reminiscent of Germany's National Socialist history, but its current use shows how places of history can be transformed. It is a symbol of how Germany is dealing with its past by focussing on transparency, remembrance and change.

The Berlin Olympic Stadium

stands for an eventful history that encompasses both the highs and lows of the 20th century. From the 1936 Olympic Games to the period of reconstruction and the 2006 World Cup, the stadium has changed time and again. Today, it is a place where history, sport and culture come together in a unique way.