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Berlin Tempelhof Airport was one of the first airports in Berlin, Germany, and one of the world's busiest airports. The airport ceased all operations in 2008, and since then, it has been used as a recreational space, an exhibition space, and a safe haven for refugees. With its rich history, dating back to the Nazi regime and its role in the Berlin Airlift, Tempelhof Airport holds a significant place in the story of Berlin and modern Germany. The airport's unique features, including its huge canopy-style roof and the world's smallest duty-free shop, have led to its recognition as a creative location and a city district.
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What You'll Learn
Tempelhof Airport ceased operations in 2008
Tempelhof Airport, located in south-central Berlin, ceased operations in 2008. The airport was one of the first in Berlin, Germany, and was designated as such by the Reich Ministry of Transport on 8 October 1923. With its central location, just minutes from the Berlin city centre, it quickly became one of the world's busiest airports.
The airport's main building was once among the twenty largest buildings on Earth, and it featured a distinctive canopy-style roof that could accommodate most contemporary airliners in the 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s. The airport was also known for its giant arc-shaped aircraft hangars and separate levels for passengers and luggage, a design innovation at the time.
The closure of Tempelhof Airport in 2008 was controversial, and some protesters tried to prevent it. A non-binding referendum was held against the impending closure on 27 April 2008 but failed due to low voter turnout. After the airport's closure, the site has been used as a recreational space known as Tempelhofer Feld, hosting various events and festivals. It has also been a safe haven for refugees, with Berlin's mayor announcing in September 2015 that one of the airport's former hangars would house refugees from countries like Syria, Kosovo, and Afghanistan.
Today, the airport is being revitalized and transformed into a creative location, with plans to become a forward-looking, community-oriented meeting place for art, culture, and creative industries. Despite its closure, Tempelhof Airport remains an iconic symbol of Berlin's history and has become a popular open space for the public to enjoy.
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The airport was one of the first in Berlin
Berlin Tempelhof Airport was designated as an airport by the Reich Ministry of Transport on 8 October 1923. The old terminal was originally constructed in 1927 and became the world's first with an underground railway. The airport quickly became one of the world's busiest airports due to its central location just minutes from the Berlin city centre. During its pre-war days in 1938–1939, up to 52 foreign and 40 domestic flights arrived and departed daily from the old terminal. The new air terminal was designed to be the headquarters for Deutsche Luft Hansa, the German national airline at the time.
The airport was also one of Europe's three iconic pre-World War II airports, along with London's now-defunct Croydon Airport and the old Paris–Le Bourget Airport. It was designed with many unique features, including giant arc-shaped aircraft hangars and separate levels for passengers and luggage. The main building was once among the twenty largest buildings on Earth. The airport's construction began in 1936, and it was intended to be a symbol of Hitler's "world capital" Germania. The building was designed to resemble an eagle in flight, with semicircular hangars forming the bird's spread wings. The statue of an eagle, wings spread wide and sitting on top of a globe, once perched atop the building.
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It was one of the world's busiest airports
Berlin Tempelhof Airport was one of the world's busiest airports. It was designated as an airport by the Reich Ministry of Transport on 8 October 1923. The old terminal was originally constructed in 1927 and became the world's first with an underground railway. The airport was situated in the south-central Berlin borough of Tempelhof-Schöneberg, just minutes from the Berlin city centre.
Tempelhof saw its greatest pre-war days during 1938–1939, when up to 52 foreign and 40 domestic flights arrived and departed daily from the old terminal. The new air terminal was designed as the headquarters for Deutsche Luft Hansa, the German national airline at the time. The airport was also one of the largest buildings in the world, with giant arc-shaped aircraft hangars.
During World War II, the airport was used by the Americans as a base for their air forces in the divided city. After the war, Tempelhof became a route of escape for displaced Jews seeking a new life and dissenters fleeing communist East Germany. It was also West Berlin's lifeline to the West, bringing film stars and fashion icons to the city.
In 1948–1949, the airport became the centre of the Berlin Airlift, when the western allies responded to a Soviet blockade of land routes into West Berlin by flying 2.3 million tons of freight into the divided city. The airport continued to operate until 2008, when it closed amid controversy. Since then, the former airfield has been used as a recreational space, hosting various events and providing accommodation for refugees.
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The airport is now a recreational space
Tempelhof Airport, located in Berlin, Germany, ceased all operations in 2008. Since then, the former airfield has been used as a recreational space called Tempelhofer Feld. The airport, which was one of the first in Berlin, has been transformed into a unique and popular open space for the public to enjoy. With a size of 877 acres, it is even bigger than New York's Central Park.
The vast space offers a wide range of activities for visitors, including bike rides, skateboarding, and kite flying. The former runways provide an expansive green area for people to wander and enjoy the outdoors. The site has also become a cultural hub, hosting various events such as techno raves, queer festivals, and community gardens. The airport's main buildings and hangars are also open to the public, offering guided tours that delve into the history of the airport and showcasing its unique architecture.
The history of Tempelhof Airport is closely tied to the story of Berlin and Germany, especially during the Nazi era and the post-war period. The airport was once a centre of the Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949, providing a lifeline to West Berlin during the Soviet blockade. The airport also served as a route of escape for displaced Jews and dissenters fleeing communist East Germany. After the war, the airport was taken over by the Americans as a base for their air forces in the divided city.
In addition to its recreational use, Tempelhof Airport has also played a role in providing refuge and assistance to those in need. During the refugee crisis of the mid-to-late 2010s, the airport housed over 1,200 refugees from countries like Syria, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. The hangars of the former airport were utilised to accommodate these individuals, while still allowing public access to the site as a recreational area.
Today, Tempelhof Airport continues to evolve, with plans to transform it into a creative location and a new urban quarter for art, culture, and the creative industries. The site is gradually being revitalised and sustainably transformed for future generations to enjoy. The airport's historical and architectural significance, along with its new purposes, make it a legendary symbol of Berlin's past, present, and future.
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It has been used as a safe haven for refugees
Tempelhof Airport, located in Berlin, Germany, ceased its operations in 2008. Since then, the airport has been used for various purposes, including as a safe haven for refugees.
During the refugee crisis of the mid to late 2010s, Germany played a significant role in providing shelter for those seeking asylum. In 2015, Berlin's mayor announced that Tempelhof's former hangars would be utilised to accommodate refugees from countries like Syria, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. The Tempelhof Airport Refugee Centre became Germany's largest asylum shelter, with around 1,200 to 2,500 refugees living in makeshift tents inside the hangars. The centre provided basic amenities, such as security, cleaning, catering, and medical check-ups for the refugees.
The living conditions in the hangars were sparse, with up to 12 people housed in 25 to 270-square-foot units formed by temporary screens, including six double bunk beds. The units also included individual toilets, washbasins, and showers to address privacy concerns, especially for women. The refugee centre faced challenges in managing incidents of PTSD and self-harm among the residents, with around 40% of refugees suffering from PTSD experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Despite the efforts to provide shelter, the use of Tempelhof Airport as a refugee centre was met with some criticism and concerns. Opposition politicians and activists warned that the concentration of refugees in one area could create a "ghetto" and exacerbate social tensions. There were also worries about the temporary nature of the shelters, with some questioning the government's plan to build a "refugee village." However, the authorities insisted that the shelters represented a temporary solution to prevent homelessness among refugees.
In 2017, the Tempelhof Airport Refugee Centre began its shutdown process, with a decreasing number of refugees remaining on-site. The airport is now being revitalised as a creative location, with plans to transform it into a hub for art, culture, and creative industries while preserving its historical and architectural significance.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Tempelhof Airport ceased all operations in 2008.
The airport grounds were opened to the public in 2010 and it has since become one of Berlin's most popular recreational spaces. It has also been used to host events, such as techno raves, queer festivals, and community gardens.
Tempelhof Airport was one of the first airports in Berlin, Germany, and was designated as an airport in 1923. It was one of the world's busiest airports before World War II, with up to 52 foreign and 40 domestic flights arriving and departing daily. It also played a significant role in the Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949.
The airport building still stands and is gradually being revitalized as a creative location and city district for art, culture, and creative industries. It is also a protected site, with guided tours that showcase its historical and architectural significance.
Yes, in addition to being a recreational space and event venue, Tempelhof Airport has been used to provide accommodation for refugees from countries like Syria, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.
