At the heart of Olympiapark Munich, not only are there well-known attractions but also hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. One such place is the memorial for the victims of the 1972 Munich Olympic attack. In silent presence, this modest memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the tragic events during the Olympic Games when eleven Israeli athletes fell victim to a Palestinian terrorist attack. Visitors find a space for reflection and a deep connection to the moving history of this place.
In 1972, the German security authorities faced immense time and decision pressure without a blueprint for such an attack. There were no specialized anti-terrorism units in Germany at that time. The use of the Bundeswehr (German military) was excluded by the constitution. Rumors about a ready „Stay-Behind“ combat unit of the Federal Intelligence Service could not be confirmed. Controversy remains over considerations regarding the Israeli anti-terror unit „Sayeret Matkal.“ While German Interior Minister Genscher consistently denied such an offer from the Israelis, representatives of the Israeli intelligence claim it was declined by the Germans.
In this precarious situation, no clear chain of command was established. Instead, a crisis team comprised of politicians, police officers, and sports officials was formed through consensus. The fate of the Israeli athletes rested in the hands of individuals with no experience in hostage rescue operations.
The Munich police disaster exposed gaps in the country’s security architecture. The most noticeable response was the establishment of the GSG 9 special unit a few weeks later. The federal police apparatus had reached its limits, leading to the takeover of all city police forces in Bavaria by the state police.
As a significant site for remembrance and reflection, the memorial for the victims of the 1972 attack continues to be a focal point in Olympiapark. The history of this place will continue to attract people seeking to understand and honor the events of the past.
Another highlight of the park was the East-West Peace Church, a masterpiece by Timofej and Natascha. The church harmoniously combined elements of Eastern and Western church architecture, symbolizing peace and international understanding. Despite artistic and political challenges during the Cold War, the vision of a church as a symbol of peace and cultural exchange was realized.
During the Second World War, Timofej said he had a vision of Mary in which he was commissioned to move from Russia to the West in order to build a church there. He left his family for this. On his trip in 1944 he met his future wife Natascha in Vienna. In 1952 he moved to Munich after another vision. In a third vision, Timofej received the order to build a church on Oberwiesenfeld and, together with his wife, began to build the church and the apartment from parts of the rubble from the nearby rubble mountain.
Regrettably, in the night of June 11, 2023, the East-West Peace Church was completely destroyed by a devastating fire. This unfortunate event represents a significant loss for the artistic landscape of Olympiapark.
Following the tragic fire in 2023, local artists and the community rallied to initiate a fundraising campaign for the church’s reconstruction.