Munich Olympic Park Anniversary – 50 years

This August, Munich’s Olympic Park celebrates its 50th anniversary. Everything you need to know about the anniversary of the Munich Olympic Park can be found here.

In 1972, the Olympic Park was created on Oberwiesenfeld for the Summer Olympics in Munich. The 50th anniversary is now coming up in 2022. Today, the green space with its characteristic topography, the lakes around the Nymphenburg-Biedersteiner Canal and the unique architecture by architects Behnisch & Partner is an integral part of the cityscape. The park ranks among the top places of the largest green spaces in Munich and has an extremely positive reputation beyond the city limits. In general, the 1972 Summer Games are regarded as an important impetus for Munich’s entire urban development. In addition to the Olympic Park itself, new residential areas were developed for the Olympics, an extensive S-Bahn and U-Bahn network was created and the pedestrian zone was redesigned. The city of Munich has now put together a varied program of events to mark the anniversary. To celebrate the anniversary of the Munich Olympic Park, but also to provide information about the role of the Games in urban development.

The exhibition “50 Years of the Olympic Park – Impulses for Munich’s Future” ran in the Rathausgalerie until March 11. The focus was on the Olympic Park and its architectural landmarks. Until 1938, the area of today’s park ensemble was home to the Munich-Oberwiesenfeld commercial airport. After the Second World War, the area lay fallow and served only as a rubble dump for the debris from the bomb damage. In 1966, the Summer Games were finally awarded to Munich under the concept of the “Green Olympic Games”. Earthworks were carried out as early as 1968.

The Olympic Hill and the gentle modeling of the entire park area finally emerged from the piles of rubble. The positioning of the buildings resulted from the green areas. Three famous names in landscape architecture are primarily responsible for the design of the open spaces. Günther Grzimek designed the Schuttberg, the area around the sports cities and the areas north of the Mittlerer Ring. The section between the Olympic Village and the Olympic Park was designed by Wolfgang Miller and Hans Lutz.

Grzimek’s ideal of democratic greenery

Günter Grzimek in particular marked a turning point in Munich garden design with his concept of design. The “taking possession of the lawn” became a popular motto, which even today is often the first association that comes to mind with the open spaces of the Olympic Park. Grzimek saw the park as an expression of the social upheaval of the 1960s. Instead of making open space accessible only to a privileged few, he declared it a common good for all citizens. The Olympic Park is therefore much more than a simple green space. It is a place of social freedom, oriented towards the ideal of democracy. In addition to the political dimension, Grzimek set equally high standards in terms of aesthetics and ecology. The Munich Olympic Park, as Grzimek conceived it, thus offers added value to the environment and society. It is more than an abstract concept, but a usable place for everyone. And it acts as an important building block in the urban fabric by interweaving the city and the surrounding countryside.

Grzimek’s spatial composition is exemplary for the entire park. It is always about the big picture. The exhibition in the Rathausgalerie tried to convey this idea. Photographs and explanatory panels, as well as models and original exhibits, gave visitors an insight into the extraordinary design and construction work. They also recognized the connections and effects that the Olympic Park had on the urban context right from the start of construction. The synergy effects of the Games for the development of Munich became clear. The exhibition served as a program item in the city’s series of events “On the way to the future 1972-2022-2072” organized by the cultural department of the state capital. The title makes it clear that the city is not only interested in celebrating the anniversary by looking back into the past. But also to learn from the past for the future. To initiate a debate about the challenges facing the city over the next 50 years.

Various formats for the anniversary of the Munich Olympic Park

The exhibition was open daily from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Rathausgalerie in the New Munich Town Hall on Marienplatz. Admission was free for all and was possible without prior reservation. The city’s current corona measures had to be observed. In addition to the exhibition, other events accompanied the anniversary year. In three digital evening events, for example, City Planning Councillor Elisabeth Merk will debate with guests about the Olympic Park as an architectural masterpiece and its potential for the future of the city. Furthermore, city walks are offered both in digital form and on site. In the exhibition itself, digital tours took place on Mondays and analog tours on Fridays. A festival of games, sport and art is also planned in the Olympic Park from July 1 to 9. Further events in all districts of Munich will accompany the program on site. The anniversary of the Munich Olympic Park will provide an opportunity to understand and question the past and present in a variety of ways.

Critical aspects are also given space. The attack in the Olympic Village overshadowed the Games. Accordingly, the program for the Munich Olympic Park anniversary includes commemorative events and space for reflection. This aspect makes it clear how diverse the challenges are that the city and society are facing then, now and in the future. Climate change, transportation transition, housing construction, anti-Semitism and racism are all issues that still need to be addressed and resolved 50 years after the Games. Munich faced a major upheaval in 1972. After the war, the Games conveyed a modern and democratic image of Germany. Today, too, society is confronted with profound change. The anniversary program aims to interpret and carry forward the spirit of that time. And, at best, to learn from the events of the last 50 years and develop a vision for the future.

Not only the Olympic Park is celebrating its anniversary: the renowned artist celebrated his 90th birthday on February 9, 2022. Our heartfelt congratulations! Read more about the painter, who is also considered the most influential contemporary artist, here.