Olympiastadion Berlin Visitor Center

Olympiastadion – © Scholvien

– © Scholvien

The Olympic Stadium is the central venue for major events in Berlin and also serves as home field to the football club Hertha BSC Berlin.

The Olympic Stadium was designed by architect Werner March and was built between 1934 and 1936 on the occasion of the Olympic Summer Games in 1936. It has a capacity for holding up to 100.000 spectators In regard to form, the stadium with its clean geometric shapes is reminiscent of ancient sport facilities. Since half of it is buried in the ground - thus only the upper ring is above ground level - it seems to have a less powerful effect than other buildings from the era of National Socialism.

In 2006, the Olympic stadium was used for the football World Cup and in 2009 the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics took place here as well. Every spring final round of the DFB Cup is also played here.

Part of the former Reichsportfeld is also the Maifeld, which was designed to serve as a space for propaganda events. Another event facility was designed to be like an ancient forest amphitheatre stage and in the 1936 Olympic games gymnastics competitions were held there. Today, amidst the green, open air concerts take place instead.

There is also a bell tower to be found in the Olympic Park, offering an extensive view of the city as well as an impressive view of the Olympic Stadium, the May Field and the forest stage, which otherwise can only be viewed when events are being held.

A historical path at the Olympic site has 45 tables in both German and English offering information about the origin and history of the former "Reichsportfeld” and the historic buildings and art works from the early days of National Socialism.

Infos for school classes

A 60-minute guided tour through the Olympic Stadium costs € 140 for school classes, and one lasting 90 minutes € 190. Whether architecture, sport or history – you are free to choose the theme of the tour. There are also discount admission tickets for school pupils to a Hertha game.