New7Wonders spotlight shines on 2 potential German ''Wonders''
The Olympic Stadium in Munich was recently nominated by the public to come on the N7W nominees. This event was celebrated with an N7W balloon flight out of the gigantic stadium - in the presence of Mr. Ude, Lord Mayor of the city of Munich together with his wife and other officials on October 28, 2005.
Munich's Olympic Stadium may look like something from outer space,ut there was nothing alien about the craft that took to the skies there the other week.
Indeed, the New 7 Wonders hot air balloon is a well-known sight among local followers of the campaign, who have been waiting for months to see the craft fly a lap of honor over the nearby Neuschwanstein Castle, which has been nominated as a potential wonder.
Spectators had twice been disappointed, after adverse weather conditions forced organizers to delay planned flights earlier in the year.
But last month, the balloon was finally able to take off on its voyage, piloted by New 7 Wonders founder Bernard Weber.
It was decided to combine the trip with a ceremony in Munich's Olympic Stadium, officially recognizing the site as one of the newest nominees in the campaign.
"The futuristic stadium, built in 1972, is a unique combination of a gigantic construction and an entire park area," said Weber, who presented the city's Lord Mayor, Christian Ude with a certificate marking the stadium's inclusion in the campaign.
He then boarded the balloon, and, in front of excited crowds, took off southwards towards Neuschwanstein, which is one of the most visited castles in Europe, attracting 1.3 million people a year.
"Through events like these, we want to promote the N7W project and encourage people to look at these beautiful buildings in a new context," said Weber.
Other German nominations include the Deutsches Museum in Munich, the cathedrals of Aachen and Cologne, the Goetzschtal bridge in Vogtland and the Ladies church in Dresden.
