Abandoned airfield Rangsdorf: A lost place with a history!
The next day after I visited the abandoned amusement park in Berlin, I traveled to another lost place near Berlin: The abandoned airfield Rangsdorf. This is truly a fantastic lost place full of decayed and partially collapsed buildings.
Table of Contents
- Frequently asked questions about the airfield Rangsdorf
- What can I see at the abandoned airfield Rangsdorf?
Frequently asked questions about the airfield Rangsdorf
Where is the abandoned airfield Rangsdorf located?
Airfield Rangsdorf is located about 12 miles south-east of the newly opened airport Berlin. You can reach it either by car or, if you fancy a 30 minute walk, you can take a train to Rangsdorf and then walk to the abandoned airfield. Here's a Google Map showing the location - It's not really a secret. Here's also the Apple Maps Link.
As prices for a single day car rental were unreasonably high when I was there, I took a taxi from the Berlin airport to airfield Rangsdorf, which costed about 70 euros. To go back to the airport, I asked a fellow urban explorer if they could take me to the next train station, which is 4 minutes by car or a 30-minute walk. From there, I took a train for 3 EUR to the airport Berlin. This way I saved more than 80 EUR compared to renting a car.
How old is airfield Rangsdorf?
The airfield Rangsdorf was founded in 1935 as an airfield for air sports events and as a flight school. With the outbreak of World War II, Rangsdorf was transformed into an airbase for the German Luftwaffe.
When World War II ended in April 1945, the Russian Army took possession of the airfield, stationed air fighter units, and later used it as a maintenance site for attack helicopters.
Between 1990 and 1993, the airfield Rangsdorf was abandoned bit by bit.
Which notable historical events happened at the airfield Rangsdorf?
The now-abandoned airfield Rangsdorf appears again and again in history. But the most important date for Rangsdorf was July 20th, 1944, when Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg departed from Rangsdorf to Hitler's headquarters Wolfsschanze in an attempt to assassinate him.
Moreover, German actor Heinz Rühmann, a gifted pilot, regularly departed from the Airfield Rangsdorf before the outbreak of World War II.
Lastly, German entrepreneur Beate Uhse, took her flying lessons here and got her pilot license in 1936 at the Rangsdorf airfield at 18.
Can you visit the airfield Rangsdorf?
Like many other historic lost places in and around Berlin, the abandoned airfield Rangsdorf is fenced in with guards on duty. But you can legally explore the fantastic lost place by booking a photo tour from go2know.What can I see at the abandoned airfield Rangsdorf
During the photo tour from go2know you can explore almost the entire area. You can see and even enter the abandoned tower, partially collapsed hangars, a communication bunker, and many support buildings.
The tower at airfield Rangsdorf
The tower with the adjacent decayed hangers is a great place to photograph from the outside and inside.
Tower at the abandoned airfield Rangsdorf
The partially collapsed hangers near the tower
One of the most impressive photo spots is the hanger to the left of the tower. Almost 90% of the roof is collapsed. Now, a beautiful garden with trees, bushes, and even moss grows inside the hangar.
The green hangar at the airfield Rangsdorf
The communication bunker
While most of the tour participants start at the tower and the hangers, I'd recommend saving them for later and starting by exploring the two-story communications bunker. You'll find it to the left of the tower behind a building used for engine tests. But beware: The entrance of the communications bunker is half-filled up and you have to enter it on all fours.But inside the bunker, you'll find left behind robe, a few communication devices, and newspapers from 1987 (on the second floor).
Inside the communication bunker at airfield Rangsdorf
Inside the bunker, it's totally dark. So bring a flashlight. I've written a review about the Olight S30R III that I used.
Pro Tip to photograph inside the bunker: The ceiling and walls are white. So point your flashlight towards the ceiling or a wall to indirectly light the room to photograph it
If you'd like to follow me while exploring the bunker at the Airfield Rangsdorf: Here's a two minute video where I'll take you to the most interesting spots inside the bunker.A video recorded inside the abandoned bunker at the Airfield Rangsdorf, Germany.
Abandoned support buildings
Some machinery at the airfield Rangsdorf
Many of these small support buildings have fully or partially collapsed roofs. These are great photo spots!
Collapsed roof in a building at the airfield Rangsdorf
Also, when you explore the area, look out for broken windows. You can use them as frames when photographing into a building. Some still have curtains (or what's left of them).
Peeking into an abandoned building at the airfield Rangsdorf
Alternatively, you can take photos from inside the buildings of the broken windows like in this engineering hall.
Another broken window at the abandoned airfield Rangsdorf
Is the abandoned airfield Rangsdorf worth a visit?
If you're looking for a lost place containing lots of half-decayed buildings, then the abandoned airfield Rangsdorf is the place to go! Mainly because you can visit it legally by booking a lost place photo tour from companies like go2know.
If you visit this lost place, take the same precautions as when visiting any other lost place: Wear sturdy shoes with a thick sole! Rangsdorf is full of broken glass and debris on the ground. Don't forget to bring a flashlight. Otherwise, photographing inside the abandoned communications bunker will be difficult.
And finally: Have fun exploring the abandoned airfield Rangsdorf! Once you return from this abandoned airfield, make sure to check out the other lost places in Berlin I've written about.
