The tower's name, 'Trudelturm,' literally translates to 'Spin Tower,' referring to the dangerous aircraft flight state it was designed to study.
The structure was designed by engineer Hermann Blenk for the Deutsche Versuchsanstalt für Luftfahrt.
It is one of the few surviving structures from the pre-WWII era of German aviation research facilities.
The interior once contained a massive ventilation system capable of generating a vertical wind speed of up to 45 meters per second.
The tower's concrete shell is supported by a secondary external structure that allowed technicians to observe testing through windows.
The Trudelturm is a distinctive concrete cylindrical tower located on the former Adlershof airfield in Berlin, designed for aerodynamic testing. Built in 1935, the structure functioned as a wind tunnel for the German Aviation Research Institute to study spin characteristics in aircraft. The building features an exterior spiral staircase that wraps around the 20-meter-tall concrete core. It is part of the Aerodynamic Park, an ensemble of industrial heritage buildings dedicated to aviation science. The tower's unique shape was specifically engineered to allow models to be tested in a vertical airflow. It has been a protected monument since 1995 due to its historical significance in 20th-century aviation engineering. Today, the site serves as an open-air exhibition space for visitors exploring the history of aeronautical research.
From the south side of the base to capture the contrast between the spiral staircase and the concrete tower geometry.
Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding Aerodynamic Park to see other preserved research buildings.
Bring a wide-angle lens, as the structure is difficult to capture in its entirety from the ground.
The site is outdoors and largely self-guided, so check weather conditions before visiting.
Attempting to climb the external structure or entering any roped-off industrial areas.
The exterior of the tower is accessible 24/7 as part of the public grounds, but there is no interior access.
