Tempelhof Airport
The vast curves of Tempelhof once defined Berlin’s skyline. Often called the “mother of all airports” by architect Sir Norman Foster, this interwar giant rose between 1936 and 1941 just south of the city center. Its sweeping terminal, planned as a grand gateway to Europe, still ranks among the world’s largest building complexes.
From blockade lifeline to silver screen
Tempelhof’s most famous chapter came during the Berlin Airlift of 1948–49, when planes landed here around the clock to supply the blockaded western sectors of the city. In 1951, a monument was placed at the entrance square—renamed Airlift Square—to honor those flights and their crews. The airport later found its way into popular culture, appearing in films such as Billy Wilder’s One, Two, Three.
Closure and a new kind of runway
After decades of service, Tempelhof closed as an airport on October 30, 2008. The runways remained, but their purpose changed: the airfield opened as a vast urban park. In summer and fall, its long strips and open meadows fill with cyclists, skaters, kiteboarders on wheels, and picnickers.
Architecture on a monumental scale
The terminal’s colossal halls and neighboring wings still impress with their size and symmetry. Designed for mass passenger flows and grand arrivals, they now host fashion weeks, trade fairs, and cultural events, offering a rare chance to experience 20th-century monumental architecture up close.
Politics on the tarmac
Tempelhof’s second life sparked citywide debate in the 21st century. A referendum to keep the airport operating failed, sealing its closure. Years later, another ballot protected the park from new development along its edges. The result preserved an extraordinary stretch of open space in the city while intensifying discussions about Berlin’s housing needs.
Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Tempelhof_Airport
