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This is one of my most favourite places in the world. And what an incredible history it has.
Once upon a time, Hitler wanted this field to become the symbol of "Germania", the "world capital" of racial supremacy.
And now it's the symbol of freedom. https://twitter.com/RachaelvsWorld/status/1277290040113221638
Once upon a time, Hitler wanted this field to become the symbol of "Germania", the "world capital" of racial supremacy.
And now it's the symbol of freedom. https://twitter.com/RachaelvsWorld/status/1277290040113221638
This is the Templehof feld in Berlin. This erstwhile airport has singlehandedly seen more than most cities do.
Think about it. Wright brothers first flew in 1903.
Just 6 years later, the first ever flight took off at Tempelhof. And17 years later, Berlin already had an airport! This was it.
Just 6 years later, the first ever flight took off at Tempelhof. And17 years later, Berlin already had an airport! This was it.
Imagine, from the first ever flight (by the Wright brothers) that lasted only 12 seconds, to having an international airline market only 20 years later with an airport and hub in Berlin.
What an incredible pace of the development of an industry.
What an incredible pace of the development of an industry.
The land originally belonged to the Knights Templar, after which it gets its name, Tempelhof feld. "Templar knights, in their distinctive white mantles with a red cross, were among the most skilled fighting units of the Crusades." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_Templar
Anyway, after becoming an airport in the 1920s, in the 1930s, Hitler wanted this airport to become gateway to Europe and a symbol of his "world capital" of Germania. It was to become "the mother of all airports".
Fast forward to 1948, post World War 2. The western powers controlled West Berlin. The Soviets controlled all surrounding areas. And the Soviets blockaded Berlin -- a city at the heart of both World War 2 the Cold War. The Western powers risked losing Berlin altogether.
They had no option but to supply the whole city via air.
Thus commenced the 'Berlin Airlift'. The Tempelhof airport served as ground zero for all aircraft bringing in food, coal and essential commodities at a scale never before witnessed in the world.
Thus commenced the 'Berlin Airlift'. The Tempelhof airport served as ground zero for all aircraft bringing in food, coal and essential commodities at a scale never before witnessed in the world.
The Berlin Airlift from Tempelhof lasted over a year, and over 2.3 million tons of cargo was flown into West Berlin. The Soviets wanted to break the backs of the western powers in Berlin, but they outlasted the Soviets here owing to the "air bridge" from Tempelhof.
Fast forward to 2007. It was time to shut down Tempelhof because Berlin had a new airport.
Now imagine all this lucrative land for the taking in the heart of the city. What would they do with it? Real estate development? Malls? Swanky offices? $$$?
No! This is Berlin damnit.
Now imagine all this lucrative land for the taking in the heart of the city. What would they do with it? Real estate development? Malls? Swanky offices? $$$?
No! This is Berlin damnit.
Typical of Berliners, they left the airport as it is. Anyone can now go on the runway and surrounding airport lands and basically... do what you please. Skate, dance, barbeque, cycle, whatever you want. The land belongs to the people. To you, to her. 
https://twitter.com/RachaelvsWorld/status/1277290040113221638
https://twitter.com/RachaelvsWorld/status/1277290040113221638
There are also events once in a while. Fairs, art shows, kite flying competitions, even electric car racing (ahem, @GulPanag).
Tempelhof feld (as it is now called) was also used to house Syrian war refugees in shelter camps. Berliners came here to volunteer, provide food and company to the displaced people fleeing a violent conflict.
This airport has seen a lot in its incredible history. Crusades, war, fanatical egos, violence, world wars, Cold War, survival, refugees, and now... dance. And barbeque. And picnics. And love.
