Munich Gardens & Parks: Olympic Park

In summer 1972, the XX. Olympic Games were carried out in Munich that had hardly any sports facilities until then. For this purpose, the Olympic Park was created between 1966 and 1972 in the north of Munich on a barren area - the Oberwiesenfeld - that had only been used for military exercises and as sports airport before.

Next to a hill of rubbel from the Second World War - now called the Olympic Hill - the area was developed and besides many sports facilities like the Olympic Stadium, the Olympic Swimming Centre and the Olympic Ice Sports Centre, the Olympic Lake, the Olympic Tower and the Olympic Village were built and an artificial landscape was created.

One of the most striking features of the Olympic Hall, the Olympic Stadium and the Swimming Centre is their common tent roof of acrylic glas that was designed by the German architect Günther Behnisch. With a size of 3 km², the Olympic Park is the second largest park of Munich and despite its still artificial character, it is quite popular not only for sports, but for other leisure activities and events as well.