The Zeppelinfield Complex
The Zeppelin Field consisted of the open exercise area, the grandstand and the electrical substation.
Prior development of this area is covered in Early Nuremberg.
Rally organisers started planning how to use this area in March 1933.
With the short period of time before the September 1933 rally, the organisers only had time to erect temporary wooden structures.
The two images above show the temporary wooden grandstand constructed on the southern side of the Zeppelin Field
The grandstand was topped with a large eagle fashioned out of wooden planks
The temporary solution was unimpressive; the opposite to what the Nazi's wanted to portray
The wooden grandstand was on the opposite side of the field to where the permanent version would be built.
The Dutzenteich, visible at the top-right corner identifies the location of the temporary structure
A still from 'Triumph of the Will' filmed at the 1934 rally clearly shows the basic wooden eagle still in place
For the permanent grandstand (on the opposite side of the field), Albert Speer designed a stone grandstand modeling it after the ancient Pergamon Altar.
The new grandstand was speedliy built from brick and then covered with thin limestone slabs giving it a massive, solid appearance
A more impressive metal eagle replaced the one used on the temporary grandstand
The grandstand with its metal eagle was ready for use in the 1935 rally
Also ready for the 1935 rally were 34 rectangular towers built between terracing and distributed around the perimeter of the display area.
In addition to displaying flags, the towers were the rather important toilet facilities
Immediately after the 1935 rally, work commenced on extending the grandstand by adding a colonnade created using 72 rectangular pillars
With long red Nazi flags hanging in the colonnade, this powerful display provoked strong emotions amongst those present at the 1936 rally
The 1936 rally was the first appearance of the famous "Cathedral of Light" display.....which created 'awe & wonder' amongst the crowd.
This was the climax of the "Roll Call of the Political Leaders".
130 searchlights stationed every 12m each manned by a crew of seven created this incredible effect.
"The single most dramatic moment of the Nazi Party rallies was not a military parade or a political speech but the Cathedral of Light".
After the 1936 rally, a 6m high gilded swaztika was added with a huge fire bowl positioned high at each end of the grandstand.
This is the final form of the Zeppelinfield grandstand ready for the 1937 rally
The grandstand, the gilded swastika, the cathedral of light and the fire bowls (unfortunately not visible) during the 1937 rally
By 1938, all the major & minor additions were complete and we can see the Zeppelinfield in its final form.
The grandstand (with colonnade, gilded swastika and fire bowls) plus the 34 towers and terracing surrounding the display area
There was seating for 70,000 spectators and arena space for at least 150,000 participants.....the whole complex was approximately 360mx360m
The light coloured rectangular block at the top of the picture is the electrical substation
Click the image above for a larger version.......opens in a new window
The two images above possibly conjure up how people perceive the Nuremberg Rallies.
On a less impressive scale, but vitally important was the Zeppelinfield electrical substation responsible for providing all the power required by the rally grounds.