The Building
As the main feature of the total layout, the Bell Tower stands in the middle of the western rim of the Mayfield. This field was surrounded by a bank, that gradually rises to a height of 19 metres (62 feet) – the Olympic Stadium is only 17 metres (55 feet) high - and equipped with seats for spectators. The tower completes the western end of the Olympic grounds and dominates them with its clear height of 77.17 metres (247 feet), which represents a height of 145 metres (465 feet) above sea level. It permits the visitor to appreciate the interrelationship of all the structures, long before he or she has entered the Olympic complex from the east..
The visitor reaches the platform on top of the Bell Tower by an express lift (25 seconds), which brings him or her to where the bell is housed. On that platform the new Olympic bell is located, cast in the pattern of the old one, which was damaged. On its lower rim, near the five Olympic rings, it bears the inscription "I summon the youth of the world - Olympic Games 1936" and it has on its cope the Brandenburg Gate and the eagle as symbols.
It is only a short climb from the bell chamber to the platform, which affords the magnificent view over Berlin's city, the lakes, and woods that we mentioned at the beginning. It is from here that the visitor recognises just how the Bell Tower represents that item in the overall lay-out of the Reichs Sportfield around which the major structures are oriented. From here also the former Reichs Academy of Physical Training and the House of German Sport can be seen. These were built by Werner March between 1926 and 1929 and extended between 1934 and 1936. They were also the Headquarters of the British Military Government in Berlin until 1994. Likewise, the tower provides a very clear view over the Forrest Theatre and the northern parts of the Grunewald between Glockenturmstrasse and Charlottenburger Chaussee, which is largely inaccessible because it is used as a training area for the Berlin police.