Zeppelinhaupttribüne

The Zeppelin Grandstand (Zeppelintribüne) is a historic structure on the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds in Nuremberg, built between 1935 and 1937. The grounds take their name from a Zeppelin landing in 1909, while the complex itself grew out of a municipal sports and recreation area laid out starting in 1926. When Adolf Hitler decided in 1933 to hold the Nazi Party rallies in Nuremberg again, he ordered the existing wooden grandstands to be replaced with monumental stone buildings. The architect Albert Speer designed the new main grandstand on the north side, modeled on the Pergamon Altar. It is 360 meters long and built from a mix of concrete, brick, and shell limestone. Originally, the entire site had room for 320,000 people, with the main grandstand itself holding 16,000 spectators.

Inside the grandstand is the so-called Golden Hall, a hall of about 335 square meters whose walls and floors are clad in Lahn marble. The name comes from the ceiling, which is decorated with shimmering gold mosaics. While the original purpose of the room during the rallies is no longer known for certain, from 1985 to 2001 it served as the venue for the exhibition "Fascination and Terror," which gave rise to today's Documentation Center. After World War II, the U.S. Army took over the grounds and at times used the grandstand as a sports field, which led to the construction of temporary roofs that have now mostly been removed.

The complex has been a protected monument since 1973 and is now used by spectators as part of the Norisring racing circuit. After years of debate over how to deal with the Nazi-era buildings, during which demolition or controlled decay were also considered, the Nuremberg city council decided in favor of preserving them in order to pass this history on to future generations. A comprehensive renovation has been under way since the end of 2024 and is due to be completed by 2030. As part of it, the badly damaged natural stone blocks on the steps and facades are being restored to secure the structure for the long term and to create exhibition areas.