Stadion der Freundschaft

Has anyone ever told you about the time a bicycle race ended at Stadion der Freundschaft? It was the 5th stage of the International Peace Race in 1956. Täve Schur, the cyclist, won the stage right here on May 7th. Stadion der Freundschaft has seen a lot of action since its opening on November 13, 1951. It’s more than just a sports venue. It’s a piece of Görlitz history, woven into the fabric of the Weinhübel district. Imagine the scene back in the early 1950s. Volunteers, fueled by community spirit, built this stadium from the ground up. The heart of Stadion der Freundschaft is its grassy football pitch, encircled by an ash track. Originally, grandstands stood to the east, west, and north, filled with cheering crowds. Sadly, these stands are no longer usable. Yet, their presence whispers tales of past glories. The location of Stadion der Freundschaft is quite unique. It sits on the Weinberg, nestled between Inselweg and Zittauer Straße. Just east, the former Volksbad outdoor swimming pool borders the Lausitzer Neiße river. The Zittauer Straße winds down the Weinberg to the west. From the south, the street Am Wasserwerk approaches the stadium. Conveniently, two tram stops are located right next to the stadium on Zittauer Straße. Stadion der Freundschaft wasn’t always a stadium. From 1942 to February 1945, this very spot housed a naval vocational school, complete with barracks and a bunker. After World War II, these barracks served as quarantine and resettlement camps. The stadium itself has undergone several renovations and expansions throughout the years. After German reunification, new sanitary facilities and changing rooms were built. Unfortunately, the old stands, the discus ring, and the pole vault facility had to be demolished. For years, the city and numerous sports clubs have aimed to fully renovate the stadium, dreaming of a tartan track and restored spectator areas. However, budget constraints and a lack of funding have repeatedly stalled these plans. Today, the stadium serves as a training ground for various football and athletics clubs. Schools and kindergartens also use the sports field for outdoor sports lessons and competitions. It’s a place where the community comes alive, echoing the spirit of those volunteers who first built it.