A picnic or sunset bike ride at Tempelhofer Feld, the beloved park in Neukölln, is only part of the full experience at this historic Berlin landmark. Perhaps context and access to the untouched parts of the gigantic building that is Flughafen Tempelhof will only serve to deepen your appreciation for this unique place, at least that’s the effect it had on me. From its original construction in 1927 to its oversized reconstruction by the Nazi government in the mid-1930s, the walking tours offered at Tempelhof aren’t excessively educational, they strike the right balance. Touring the grounds, it’s amazing to see just how huge the building itself is and viewpoints on the apron, roof and in the main terminal showcase this impression. Details of the design, left nearly untouched from the 1950s-70s, provide retro inspiration for those interested in typography and architecture. Next time you’re taking a self-guided tour of Tempelhofer Feld by bike or foot, remember — there’s still so much you haven’t seen. (Text: Devan Grimsrud / Photos: Luke Marshall Johnson)
Flughafen Tempelhof, Platz der Luftbrücke 5, 12101 Berlin-Neukölln; map
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