Tempelhofer Feld

Tempelhof airport closed in 2008 and the airfield opened as a public space in 2010, left as found: two runways of about two kilometres, taxiways, grass and airfield markings, with no landscaping, no cafes built on it and no planting. The runways are used for cycling, skating, kite buggying and land sailing, and the grass holds ground-nesting skylarks in fenced zones. Since 2014 a law has protected the field from development. The terminal building of the 1930s, one of the largest buildings in the world by floor area, stands along one side and is toured separately.

History

Until the 18th century the field between Schöneberg and Tempelhof was farmland, and from 1722 under Frederick William I it was a parade and drill ground of the Prussian army, used as such until spring 1914; on 3 November 1897 the world's first rigid airship, David Schwarz's all-metal craft, made its maiden flight from here and was wrecked on landing. Work on Tempelhof Airport began in 1922, the first phase was finished by 1928, and the new terminal was built from 1936 to 1941; the airport closed to civilian traffic in 1970 after Tegel opened, reopened in 1985, and all flights ended in 2008 (Wikipedia, Tempelhofer Feld).

What to look for

• The intact runways - two kilometres of tarmac used for wheels and kites.
• The unlandscaped field - grass and markings left exactly as at closure.
• The skylark zones - fenced areas protecting ground-nesting birds.
• The 1930s terminal - a vast building along one side, toured separately.

When to go

April to October; the field opens at dawn and closes at dusk with gate times posted. Wind makes it a kite and land-sailing space. There is no shade at all.

What to expect

There is no shade, shelter or infrastructure on the field itself. Gates close at dusk. Terminal tours are separately booked and limited.

Nearby

Neukölln lies east; Kreuzberg is north.

Key facts