A BROAD FIELD

Since the end of the 19th century, Tempelhof Field has been used as a testing ground for aircraft and spectacular flight experiments have been conducted there. From 1923 onwards, Tempelhof Airport connected Berlin with numerous European cities and became an important hub for international aviation.

Tempelhof Field during the Nazi era

During the Nazi era, Tempelhof Field was the scene of propaganda events. The SS operated one of its first concentration camps on the edge of the site. In 1936, construction began on the monumental Tempelhof Airport building, one of the largest of its time. During World War II, fighter planes were produced and repaired here – using forced laborers from all over Europe.

During the Cold War, Tempelhof served as an important US air base. Between 1948 and 1949, the airport was the central landing site for the Western Allies to supply West Berlin during the Berlin Airlift. Until 1989, Tempelhof played a key role as a connection point between the “island of West Berlin” and the rest of the (Western) world. The airport was also the arrival point for numerous international personalities from the worlds of politics and culture.

The exhibition was organized by the Foundation “Topographie des Terrors” (Topography of Terror), in cooperation with Tempelhof Projekt GmbH, sponsored by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media and the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion of the State of Berlin.

Important information:

The exhibition is located in the CHECK-IN visitor center and is wheelchair accessible.

Admission is free.

Opening hours:

Wednesday to Monday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Closed on Tuesdays