Roberta Aguirre
Tempelhof Airport in Berlin has a long and complex history, from its construction in the 1930s to its role in the Berlin Airlift and its eventual closure in 2008. Today, the airport is open to the public and visitors can explore the site's rich history through guided tours. The tours take visitors through the airport's significant historical moments, including its use as a concentration camp during World War II and its role in the Cold War. Visitors can also explore the airport's impressive architecture, including its monumental design and the remaining traces of its past, such as the reinforced concrete skeleton and red scorch marks from a fire. The airport's grounds have been transformed into a large recreational park, where people enjoy picnics, kite surfing, and skateboarding. With its unique history and vast space, Tempelhof Airport offers a fascinating glimpse into the past and a unique experience for visitors interested in exploring this iconic site.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Berlin |
| Size | 300,000 square metres |
| History | Used during the Third Reich, with a history from WW1 onwards |
| Current use | A large recreational park, with guided tours |
| Transport | Accessible by U-Bahn line 6 to Platz der Luftbrücke or Paradestrasse stations, or the circular line (S-Bahn, Tempelhof station) |
| Tour duration | Approximately 2 hours |
| Tour content | Insight into the history and architecture of the airport, including its use during WW2 and the existence of hidden tunnels and bunkers |
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What You'll Learn
Tempelhof Airport is now a public park
Tempelhof Airport in Berlin is now a public park, and visitors can explore the site and learn about its history through guided tours. The airport was built between 1936 and 1941 and was intended by the Nazi government to be a military parade ground, with roofs designed to hold up to 70,000 spectators. The airport was also used to produce warplanes and ammunition during World War II, and several bunkers can still be found on the site.
The airport has a functional design, with separate procedures for air passengers, baggage, cargo, and mail, allowing for efficient movement from check-in to the gate. The 40-metre unsupported steel canopy is a notable technical feature. However, Hitler's "World Airport" was never fully completed due to the war, and it sustained damage from Allied aircraft attacks.
Today, the former airport is a large recreational space, with bikers, skateboarders, and windsurfers utilising the smooth asphalt, and people enjoying picnics and parties on the meadows. Visitors can explore the airport's hidden tunnels and cellars, and learn about its historical and architectural significance, including its use of modern building techniques and steel skeleton construction.
Guided tours of the airport are available in English and German, and visitors can purchase tickets at a discount with the Berlin Welcome Card, which also offers unlimited use of public transport in the city. The meeting point for the tours is the CHECK-IN visitor centre, located to the left of the main entrance. The visitor centre also serves as a space for coffee, exhibitions, and events.
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The airport was built by the Nazis
Tempelhof Airport in Berlin is a former airport that is now a public park. The airport was built by the Nazis and has a long and complex history.
The site of Tempelhof Airport was first designated as an airport on 8 October 1923. The original terminal was constructed in several stages from 1923 to 1929. However, after the Nazis came to power in 1933, they began an enormous reconstruction project to replace the existing airport with a larger, more impressive structure. Hitler took a personal interest in the airport's development, intending it to be a symbol of Nazi Germany's greatness and a stage for him to address the masses.
The Nazi government commissioned architect Ernst Sagebiel to design the new airport in 1935, and construction began the following year. Sagebiel introduced several innovative features, including separate levels for passengers and luggage, and a vast 303-hectare airfield. The airport was designed to look like an eagle in flight, with semicircular hangars forming the bird's wings. The Nazis adopted the eagle as a national symbol. The exaggerated monumental architecture of the airport aimed to impress, with a natural stone facade, 21 entrance doors, reliefs, and sculptures.
During World War II, the Nazis did not use Tempelhof as an airport. Instead, they used it as a factory to produce warplanes, ammunition, and weapons. Forced labourers were used to produce armaments for the war effort. The airport was repeatedly attacked by Allied aircraft and damaged during the war, and several civilians hiding in the airport's underground bunkers were killed by Soviet forces in the closing days of the war.
Today, visitors can take guided tours of the former airport building, learning about its history, architecture, and future plans. The airport has also been used for filming movies and housing refugees. The vast airfield is now a popular recreational space, used by bikers, skateboarders, windsurfers, and picnickers.
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It was never used as an airport during WW2
Tempelhof Airport in Berlin has a long and complex history. The site was originally Knights Templar land in medieval Berlin, and the airport was first officially designated as such in 1923. However, it was never used as an airport during World War II.
The Nazis came to power in 1933 and began replacing the existing airport with a larger structure. Hitler took a personal interest in its development, intending it to be a symbol of Nazi Germany's greatness and a stage for his addresses to the masses. The airport was designed by Ernst Sagebiel, who introduced innovative features such as separate levels for passengers and luggage. The Nazis planned to use the airport as a military parade ground, with the roof designed to hold up to 70,000 spectators. They also intended to build embankments to accommodate an additional 40,000 people.
During World War II, the airport was never fully operational as a transport hub. Instead, it became a site for arms production and forced labour. The Nazis produced warplanes, ammunition, and armaments for the war effort. The airport was repeatedly attacked by Allied aircraft and suffered damage during the war. The unfinished stairwells and other incomplete features of the airport are a testament to its interrupted construction.
Today, the former Tempelhof Airport is a public park and recreational space. Visitors can explore the vast airfield, admire the unique architecture, and learn about the airport's history through guided tours. Despite its intended purpose as an impressive gateway to Nazi Germany, the airport ultimately became a testament to the turmoil and disruption caused by the war.
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The airport has a functional design
Tempelhof Airport has a functional design that reflects its history and former purpose as a transport hub and a significant site during the Berlin Airlift. The airport's layout is designed to facilitate efficient movement and logistics, with a focus on functionality and practicality.
One of the most distinctive features of Tempelhof Airport's design is its vast terminal building, which is one of the world's largest freestanding buildings. The terminal is a massive structure, with a simple and utilitarian design. It features a long, rectangular shape, with a steel frame and a concrete exterior. The building's size and open layout allowed for the efficient processing of large numbers of aircraft and passengers, reflecting the airport's former role as a key transport hub.
The airport's runways and taxiways are also designed with functionality in mind. Tempelhof Airport once boasted one of the largest runways in Europe, capable of accommodating large aircraft. The runways are laid out in a parallel pattern, allowing for efficient take-offs and landings and easy taxiing between them. The airport also had a unique system of underground tunnels and platforms that connected the terminal to the runways, further streamlining the movement of passengers and cargo.
The interior of the terminal is designed for functionality and efficiency. The vast hall-like spaces within the terminal were designed to accommodate large numbers of people and cargo. The use of steel and concrete throughout the building, with minimal decorative elements, reflects the practical nature of the design. The terminal features a simple layout, with clear sightlines and easy navigation, ensuring that passengers and staff could move through the space quickly and efficiently.
The airport also incorporates design elements that reflect its historical context. For example, the terminal building's steel frame and vast interior spaces were influenced by the architectural styles of the early 20th century, combining modern functionality with a sense of grandeur. Additionally, the airport's control tower, with its distinctive design and glass windows, provides a visual landmark and a functional overview of the airfield.
Today, while the airport no longer serves its original purpose, the functional design of Tempelhof Airport continues to leave its mark on the city of Berlin. The former airport site has been transformed into a public park, known as Tempelhofer Feld, where people can walk, cycle, and enjoy various outdoor activities. The park preserves the airport's unique layout, offering a vast open space that stands as a testament to the site's former functionality and historical significance.
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English-language tours are available
Tempelhof Airport in Berlin is a fascinating place to visit, with a rich history and impressive architecture. The airport was built between 1936 and 1941, and its design reflects the Nazi government's intention for it to be a military parade ground. The roof was designed to hold up to 70,000 spectators, with plans to accommodate an additional 40,000 people on embankments opposite the stands.
During World War II, the airport was used to produce warplanes and ammunition, and it sustained damage during the conflict. Much of the interior was rebuilt in the 1950s and 1960s, and today, the airport is a large recreational park, with bikers, skateboarders, and windsurfers taking advantage of the space.
One review mentions that the tour guide led them to various places in the airport, including the deeper recesses where they could view several bunkers, or "air protection rooms". These bunkers were used by local residents and factory workers during bombing raids and street fighting, and they feature artwork from the children's books of Wilhelm Busch, drawn on the walls to comfort the children.
Another review highlights the convenience of using the Berlin Welcome Card, which offers unlimited use of the city's public transportation system and provides discounts on tours of the airport. Visitors can easily access the airport using the U6 subway line, which also services many other top Berlin tourist attractions.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can go inside Tempelhof Airport. The former airport is now a public park and recreational area, where people go biking, skateboarding, and windsurfing. You can also take a guided tour of the building to learn about its history, architecture, and future.
The airport is easily accessible by public transport. You can take the U-Bahn line 6 to the Platz der Luftbrücke or Paradestrasse stations, or the circular line (S-Bahn) to Tempelhof station. The airport is within walking distance of these stations.
On a tour of Tempelhof Airport, you will learn about the airport's history, including its use during the Third Reich and by the Nazis as a production site for warplanes and ammunition. You will also see the historic airlift, hidden tunnels, bunkers, and artwork from the children's books of Wilhelm Busch.
