The story of the world's largest free-standing hall
The enormous dome was originally built as an airship hangar in the year 2000. The plan was to produce giant airships here, able to transport large items of freight to inaccessible destinations around the world. However, the company responsible for the project – CargoLifter AG – announced insolvency in 2002, before the first prototype could be built.
The two enormous shell-like doors were designed to let the enormous airships in and out of the hangar. Each door consists of six moveable segments and weighs 600 tons. It takes around 20 minutes to open the doors, although they are now no longer in use.
A place of history
1938 - 1945
The site is built as a military airfield for the Luftwaffe's Brand-Guben Pilot Training School.
Towards the end of the Second World War, the airfield is used by the transport air force in preparation for air-land operations. After 1943/44 it also serves as an alternative airfield for the fighter arm of the Luftwaffe. In Spring 1945, it is involved in operations by the front air units of the Wehrmacht.
1945
The Soviet Army occupies the airfield and one of the first and largest military airports in the German Democratic Republic is created. In addition to its function as a military airport, the site also serves as an airport for state visits from the former USSR. On October 17, 1963, a Russian Tupolev airliner lands carrying the cosmonauts Valentina Tereshkova and Yuri Gagarin.
1992
The site is managed by the Federal State of Brandenburg. Waste, such as kerosene tanks and abandoned ammunition, are cleared from the site.
1998
The site is purchased from the Federal State of Brandenburg and various former owners by the company CargoLifter AG. The company's plan is to turn the former military airfield into a modern, peaceful location for lighter-than-air technology. In summer 2002, CargoLifter AG announces insolvency.
2003
The Malaysian consortium PLC/Colin Au buys the site and creates the Tropical Islands resort in the former airship hangar.