16/02/2026
Berlin Tempelhof Subsurface Vaults and Underground Facilities
Beneath the historic Berlin-Tempelhof airfield lies a network of multi-level underground spaces originally developed in conjunction with the airport’s expansion and wartime roles. During the N**i period, extensive subterranean structures were excavated to accommodate secure storage areas, workshop spaces, and utility infrastructure such as film archives and maintenance facilities. These below-ground levels extended several storeys and included reinforced rooms intended for both technical storage and shelter functions. During the Second World War the underground vaults were used for storage of materials and archives, but were reportedly damaged by fire as the war ended. In subsequent decades, portions of these below-ground facilities were repurposed or decommissioned as the airport transitioned through military and civilian uses. The existence of this subsurface infrastructure reflects the layered functional planning of a major airfield facility where surface operations linked to aviation were supported by extensive service and storage spaces beneath the terminal and hangar zones.
This content is for historical and educational documentation only.
Key Fact: Tempelhof Airport’s underground vaults included multi-level reinforced spaces used for storage, workshops, and support functions integrated with the airfield’s surface infrastructure.
