Happy TravellerWelcome to Tempelhof, a historic locality in Berlin, Germany. Home to the former Tempelhof Airport, one of the earliest commercial airports in the world, Tempelhof is now a sprawling park called Tempelhofer Feld, making it the largest inner city open space in the world. The locality is located in the south-central part of the city and is part of the borough of Tempelhof-Schöneberg. Before Berlin’s 2001 administrative reform, the area of Tempelhof, together with the localities of Mariendorf, Marienfelde, and Lichtenrade, constituted a borough of its own, also called Tempelhof. These localities grew from historic villages on the Teltow plateau founded in the early 13th century in the course of the German Ostsiedlung.
History:
Tempelhof was first mentioned in a 1247 deed issued at the Walkenried Abbey as a Komturhof (commanders court, the smallest holding entity of a military order) of the Knights Templar, whose leadership and many fellow knights had been expelled from the Kingdom of Jerusalem upon its downfall in 1291. The heart of the old settlement, consisting of the church and the original estate, was fortified and originally completely surrounded by water. The Templars were joined by fifteen families of landless farmers sons from the Rhine, who could not inherit any estate from their parents because of over-fragmentation of those estates. Legates of the Templars offered them fertile soil and the protection of Tempelhoves stronghold. After Pope Clement V officially abolished the Order of the Temple in 1312, the knights of Saint John (the Johanniter), backed by Margrave Waldemar of Brandenburg, took over the villages of Tempelhof, Mariendorf, and Marienfelde. In 1435, they sold their estates to the city of Berlin. In the early nineteenth century, Tempelhof was still a village outside Berlin proper and was the site of country excursions for the citizens of Berlin. The northern parts of Tempelhof were incorporated as Berlin’s Tempelhofer Vorstadt in 1861 and in 1920 became part of the Kreuzberg borough. Today, the former commandery (German: Komturei) is a chain of parks, called Bosepark, Kleiner Park, Alter Park, and Franckepark. Some of them still have ponds that were part of the artificial moat surrounding the village’s center. One, the Krummer Pfuhl, located in the Franckepark, after being turned into public swimming baths in the nineteenth century, has completely dried out and is now an enclosed deer park. The original church, built from glacial boulders, was destroyed in the Second World War and was replaced with one built of ashlar or dressed stone with a timber-frame tower. The Tempelhof Studios were established in 1912 and functioned as film and later television studios.
Things to do:
Tempelhofer Feld: The former airport is now a park that is perfect for cycling, skating, picnicking, and kite flying. It is also a popular spot for jogging and dog walking.
Tempelhof Park: This park is located in the heart of the locality and is a great place to relax and unwind. It features a large pond, a playground, and plenty of green space.
Tempelhof Museum: This museum is dedicated to the history of the locality and features exhibits on the Knights Templar, the former airport, and the local film industry.
Shopping: Tempelhof has plenty of shopping options, including the Tempelhofer Hafen, a former harbor that has been converted into a shopping and entertainment complex.
Food and Drink: Tempelhof has a diverse culinary scene, with plenty of options for both traditional German cuisine and international fare. Be sure to try the local specialty, Currywurst, a sausage served with curry ketchup and fries.
Accommodation:
Tempelhof has plenty of accommodation options, including hotels, hostels, and vacation rentals. Some popular options include the Mercure Hotel Berlin Tempelhof Airport, the Novum Hotel Aldea Berlin Centrum, and the Tempelhof Apartments.
Whether you’re interested in history, outdoor activities, or simply relaxing and enjoying the local cuisine, Tempelhof has something for everyone. Come and discover this hidden gem in the heart of Berlin.
