The Oberwiesenfeld which had previously been a military training ground and served as Munich's first airport from 1925 - 39 was transformend into a nearly 3 km² big sports and recreation area for the XX. Summer Olympic Games in Munich in 1972. The artificial 60 m high Olympic hill made of rubble form bombed-out Munich was integrated in the whole concept of the architects Behnisch and Partner. They laid out an artificial lake of a size of 86.000 m² with open air stage for pop concerts. The landmark of the area which can be seen from everywhere is the 290 m (950 ft) high Olympic Tower offering a spectaculous view towards the city.
Besides the Olympic Tower the ice stadium is the only building which had been erected before the Olympic Games. The unique construction of the tented roof comprises the three main sports facilities: the Olympic Swimming Hall "one of the largest and nicest garden indoor-pool", the Olympic Stadium and the Olympic Hall conceived as a multipurpose hall. The construction of the 75.000 m² tented roof consists of an iron network with translucent acrylic plates suspended on 12 big and 36 smaller pylons. It is said that the architects were inspired by the silhouette of the Alps which can be seen from the Olympic Tower on a clear day. At the western end of the grounds the fomrer cycling stadium is located housing the Olympic Spirit Center since 1999, the first interactive adventure-center for the Olympics in the world.
The Olympic Village stretches north of the Mittlerer Ring. Most of the flats of the men's village have meanwhile been sold to private people. The bungalows of the women's village are now rented to students. Between the two sections two plates in German and Hebrew commemorate the attack of Arabian terrorists on 11 Israeli sportsmen and 1 Bavarian policeman on 5th September, 1972.
Contrary to other Olympic Grounds the facilities in Munich are still used for sportive and cultural events.
U-Bahn: U3 to Olympiazentrum
www.olympiapark-muenchen.de