Post by chrish on Sept 16, 2010 11:19:29 GMT
Whilst in Vienna I paid a quick visit to the Ernst-Happel-Stadion on the outskirts of the City. It's home to the Austrian national team and both the big Vienna clubs (Rapid Vienna and Austria Vienna) when they play in European competitions.
It was built between 1929 and 1931 after the first stone was laid in 1928 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Republic of Austria. The stadium's initial capacity was 60,000. During the second world war it was used as a prison for Jews and it was bombed quite heavily.
It was rebulit after the war and the capacity went up to 91,000. In the mid 1980s seats were added and roof was constructed. The stadium also changed it's name from the Praterstadion to the Ernst-Happel-Stadion.
I found it to be a bit souless even with the multi coloured seating. I'm not really a fan of any stadium which doesn't play host to regular club football. A bit like Wembley, the Stade de France and even Hampden, it's almost like it isn't geared up to staging football.
Photos.
and from the outside.
It was built between 1929 and 1931 after the first stone was laid in 1928 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Republic of Austria. The stadium's initial capacity was 60,000. During the second world war it was used as a prison for Jews and it was bombed quite heavily.
It was rebulit after the war and the capacity went up to 91,000. In the mid 1980s seats were added and roof was constructed. The stadium also changed it's name from the Praterstadion to the Ernst-Happel-Stadion.
I found it to be a bit souless even with the multi coloured seating. I'm not really a fan of any stadium which doesn't play host to regular club football. A bit like Wembley, the Stade de France and even Hampden, it's almost like it isn't geared up to staging football.
Photos.
and from the outside.