Emotion-filled goodbyes and joyful reunions once echoed through this hall. This is the Wappenhalle. It stands as a landmark of Munich. It is a center of communication today. But its story began long before.
The Wappenhalle’s history is intertwined with Munich’s old airport. It was completed in 1939. The grand opening never happened due to World War II. The war left its mark. Seventy percent of the airport was destroyed. The Wappenhalle was badly damaged. The roof collapsed. Its valuable coffered ceiling was lost.
After the war, the Wappenhalle was temporarily renovated. It served as a check-in hall. On June 16, 1951, it reopened. It was modernized. It became a reception hall. Two wide stairs led to a terrace. A balcony opened on the south side. Visitors could watch the passenger handling process from start to finish.
For four decades, the Wappenhalle greeted travelers. Millions began journeys here. They returned from faraway lands. A DC-3 from Pan American World Airways was the first plane to land after the war. This happened on April 6, 1948.
In 1992, flight operations ceased in Munich-Riem. Most of the airport was torn down. The Wappenhalle and the tower were listed as historical monuments. The Wappenhalle shines in new splendor.
Today, the Wappenhalle is a venue for events. It offers unique possibilities. Product presentations and conferences take place here. Parties fill its halls. The Wappenhalle is near the new Munich Trade Fair Centre. Its architecture is extraordinary. It features valuable floors and ceilings. Fantastic green spaces surround it. Tradition and modernity meet in this historic place. The Wappenhalle tells silent tales of bygone eras.