A broad Field. Tempelhof Airport and its history

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

Since the turn of the 20^th century, Tempelhof Field had been used to test aviation machines and undertake spectacular flight attempts. During the NS era, the site became a stage for propaganda events. On the outskirts of the area, the SS operated one of its first concentration camps, before construction of a new airport building began in 1936 – at the time one of the largest in the world. During World War II, armaments production took place here, using forced labor.

In the Cold War, Tempelhof Airport served as a U.S. Air Force base. During the Berlin Airlift (1948/49), it became a “gateway to the free world” to supply West-Berlin with essential goods. The airport also served as a stage for the arrival of international celebrities from film, fashion, and politics.

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