Tempelhofer Feld (San bay Tempelhof)

On March 1, 1893, Berliners flocked to Tempelhof to witness the launch of the Humboldt hot air balloon on its maiden voyage. The successful flight inspired several other hot air balloon excursions to study the atmosphere.

In June 1948, the Soviet Union attempted to take control of all of Berlin by cutting off the railroad and roads leading to and from the west side of the city. If successful, this action would starve more than 2 million Berliners. The Truman administration's response to the Blockade was a daily Allied airlift to ensure that food and necessities could still reach Berliners living in the western sector. More than 5,000 tons of supplies were delivered daily.

The food supply called "Airbridge" lasted until September 1949, when the Soviet government lifted the Blockade. The popular stories of “Raisin Bomber” and “Chocolate Pilot” are still told to children today. For many Berliners, especially the older generation, Tempelhof Airport remains a symbol of Berlin's freedom, as deeply meaningful as the Brandenburg Gate.

Tempelhof also has an important place in aviation history. Flights took off from here in the early 20th century. Aviation pioneer Orville Wright demonstrated his flight here in 1909. Tempelhof's history as a commercial airport dates back to 1923, the airline Germany's no Luft Hansa was also founded in Tempelhof in 1926.

A new airport terminal built by the National Socialists between 1936 and 1941 in the style of Nazi monuments by architect Ernst Sagebiel, complete with carved eagles at the entrance and a roof was built to accommodate 100,000 spectators to watch military parades and shows. Sagebiel has been listed twice in the Guinness Book of Records for his architectural feats, including the former Air Force Department as the largest office building in Europe. Tempelhof was designed to be the largest air travel terminal.

The Tempelhof was used to test some of the world's first aircraft, house prisoners during World War II, and provide West Berliners with a vital lifeline to the outside world during the Cold War. . Today, it is also used to film such films as “The Hunger Games”, “The Bourne Supremacy” and “Bridge of Spies”. In recent years, it has also been expanded by the government to become a garden for locals to enjoy and a place to stay for refugees.

Address: Platz der Luftbrücke 1, 12101 Berlin