Category Archives: Tempelhof Airport

Tempelhofer Feld and the Adjacent Columbiadamm Cemetery

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I set out early, despite bad lighting, and not so great weather generally, to find the Goldfinch which is reportedly in abundance on Tempelhofer Feld. The only birds I found there were two swallows that had somehow gotten themselves trapped inside one of the toilets there. I was so surprised that unfortunately, I forgot to activate the flash.

I then tried my luck on the cemetery between the airfield and the mosque, and found a couple of goldfinches at the top of one of the tallest trees in the cemetery. If that is their preferred habitat, how does that tally with them being seen on the flat airfield?

Equally high up I spotted another pair of birds which I have yet to identify.

By the way, did I ever mention that I love trees?

And finally, a couple of old faithfuls:

Tempelhof Airfield 16 May

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Need to shake a feeling of doom and gloom and a great sadness? What better place than the almost always windswept guess where?

I walked via Platz der Luftbrücke this time. The route on Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/tour/369693442.

Tempelhof Airport

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The former Tempelhof airport, now a listed building with hangars used for concerts, art fairs etc., and the airfield, now a huge recreational area categorised as a park, is one of my favourite places in Berlin. A large playground for young and old but unfortunately, plans for building, at least around some of the periferi, are gaining ground.

I hope it does not happen, or at least that only a fraction of the land becomes built on. The park contributes greatly to the quality of life for many, many people, whether they visit daily, weekly, or monthly. For obvious reasons, it is even perfect in terms of supporting public health during a pandemic.

It has a rich history evocative of both unspeakable human cruelty and suffering, and of courageous acts of solidarity.

For me, it is within walking distance – even by two different routes depending whether I want to enter from Tempelhofer Damm or from Columbiadamm, but it is also within easy reach by public transport.

To have a space like this just a few steps away from a major public transport hub is something unique in the world and in my opinion must be preserved.

I have by now posted so many photos and links that I am giving it its very own category here :-).

Tempelhof Airfield 15 May

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For further information, here are some links which I may not have included in previous posts:

https://www.thf-berlin.de/en/location-information/history-of-location/chronicle/

https://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/above-amp-beyond-the-village-of-tempelhof-9924004/

https://www.mil-airfields.de/germany/berlin-tegel-airport.htm

Saturday’s route: https://www.komoot.com/tour/368555710

This woman nodded her permission for me to take photos without asking what they were for or whether she might see them. I’m guessing she is not German :-).

Nearly back home on Saturday, what looked like an environmental disaster on Landwehrkanal but I think it is a natural phenomenon, and two children playing hide and seek outside the Jewish Museum.