The enigmatic, seldom-explored hideaway, dubbed "The Lost Place", is known to seldom more than a select few inhabitants of Munich.
In the heart of Munich, a piece of the city's aviation history remains hidden in plain sight. The concrete slab in Riemer Woods, a tranquil green space, is a remnant of runway 25L from the former Munich Riem Airport.
The Riemer Woods area lies on the site of the old airport, which served as Munich's international airport from 1939 to 1992. After 53 years of operation, the airport was replaced by the new Munich Airport in Erdinger Moos, and the old airport area underwent extensive redevelopment.
However, an approximately 5,400 square meter area of runway 25L has been preserved in the Riemer Woods, leaving a tangible piece of industrial heritage behind. The white markings on the concrete surface can still be seen upon closer inspection, indicating the former runway's length, which was almost as long as the security checkpoint lines at Munich Airport in Erdinger Moos in early October 2024.
The concrete slab has become a curiosity among Munich residents, with some recalling its use by older generations before its preservation. Today, the public uses the former runway for recreational activities such as playing, cycling, and other sports.
Other parts of the old airport have also found new purposes. The former terminal building, now listed as a historic monument, serves as a conference center, while the control tower has been repurposed as an event location. The exhibition city, located where the former airport was, is a significant venue for important events in Munich, hosting concerts by renowned artists like Adele, who gave ten concerts in an arena built specifically for an event in summer 2024.
For those interested in delving deeper into the history of the concrete slab or the former airport, local Munich archives, the city's planning office, or specialized historical publications about Munich Riem Airport would be valuable resources. These sources may provide detailed historical data, such as construction dates, engineering specifics, or preservation efforts related to these historical remnants.
The Riemer Woods, now offering a diverse home-and-garden lifestyle, has preserved an outdoor-living piece of industrial past, as an approximately 5,400 square meter area of the old runway 25L remains unaltered. Today, this piece of Munich's aviation history serves as a venue for recreational activities, providing an engaging blend of the city's heritage and contemporary leisure, a unique aspect in Munich residents' lifestyle.
