Mike@DedicatedPerfection
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- Feb 26, 2011
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The first day of our tour took us to the Kehlstein Haus. This has been given the nick name of the Eagle's nest from the allied troops when they arrived there.
This Haus is 1834 meter above sea level with a commanding view of 200 km on a clear day. Talk about a breath taking experience.
An excerpt from the website.
The Eagle's Nest - Obersalzberg in Berchtesgaden
"The road leading from Obersalzberg (formerly Hitler's home and southern headquarters) to the Eagle's Nest parking lot is considered to be a feat of engineering. Perched at 1.834 m (6.017 ft), the building itself was a project of Martin Bormann's and given to Adolf Hitler for his 50th birthday as a teahouse for diplomats. The Eagle's Nest remained unscathed from the bombing of the Allied Forces during WWII. Since 1952 it has been open to the public as a mountain top restaurant with a spectacular view and is accessed only by special mountain buses from Obersalzberg. Due to its high elevation the Eagle's Nest is open in summer only, usually from about mid-May through October.
A symbol of the power of the NS regime even though decisions were made at the Eagle's Nest, it still stands for the insanity of his regime. It stands for his world on the Obersalzberg, where plans for war and mass murder were formed there.
The Eagle's Nest was a present to Hitler from the political party, who, without any free will surrendered to the man who was going to bring down the world. In defiance, the building stands perched over a sheer rock wall. A road was cut into the mountain through the previously impassable terrain. Although an architectural master piece, it was still an act of waste on nature and other resources. To reach it, there is a golden brass elevator buried in the heart of the mountain, through which one can reach "the summit of power" - all this is created with the sole purpose to impress and dazzle people.
The building became a legend in the postwar period, and apparently its use of the Eagler's Nest was seen as essential as a visual motif in popular US war films and serials. This building is one of the few undamaged monuments of the Hilter era which has resulted in giving it a prominence that it does not perhaps deserve though it might seem to provoke.
Berchtesgaden has out lasted its political importance. It can however not be forgotten that the Eagle's Nest was a part of an idyllic setting that was intended to deceive all the horrors of those years. Today however it still offers a magnificent and unique view of the surrounding countryside and also the opportunity to remember and learn about the inhuman dictatorship it served.
The Eagle’s Nest was originally designed by Martin Bormann as a birthday present for Adolf Hitler’s 50th birthday on behalf of the NSDAP (Nazi Party). In fact, Hitler seldom visited the Eagle’s Nest.
In the end, Allied bombing at the end of World War II did not damage the Eagle’s Nest and thanks to the intervention of former Governor Jacob, the Eagle’s Nest was spared being blown up after the war.
Today the Eagle’s Nest remains in its original state. In 1960, on the occasion of the 150th celebration Berchtesgaden’s incorporation into Bavaria, the Bavarian government relinquished its control of the building to a trust that ensures that the proceeds are used for charitable purposes."
A map of the area from the base of the summit
After climbing up by specially equipped buses this is the first view you get.
Entering the tunnel in the side of the mountain to reach the elevator to take you up. This tunnel is 124m long
Built in 1938
Tunnel doors
The elevator that takes you up 124 m and you arrive directly inside the Haus
The floor plan of the Haus
As soon as you walk outside
The view of the front of the Haus
The rear of the Haus and outside portion of the restaurant
One of the seating areas inside the Haus turned restaurant
The view from where you sit for a meal
The fireplace given to Hilter from Benito Mussolini
Another portion of the restaurant
Various views outside of the Kehlstein Haus
This Haus is 1834 meter above sea level with a commanding view of 200 km on a clear day. Talk about a breath taking experience.
An excerpt from the website.
The Eagle's Nest - Obersalzberg in Berchtesgaden
"The road leading from Obersalzberg (formerly Hitler's home and southern headquarters) to the Eagle's Nest parking lot is considered to be a feat of engineering. Perched at 1.834 m (6.017 ft), the building itself was a project of Martin Bormann's and given to Adolf Hitler for his 50th birthday as a teahouse for diplomats. The Eagle's Nest remained unscathed from the bombing of the Allied Forces during WWII. Since 1952 it has been open to the public as a mountain top restaurant with a spectacular view and is accessed only by special mountain buses from Obersalzberg. Due to its high elevation the Eagle's Nest is open in summer only, usually from about mid-May through October.
A symbol of the power of the NS regime even though decisions were made at the Eagle's Nest, it still stands for the insanity of his regime. It stands for his world on the Obersalzberg, where plans for war and mass murder were formed there.
The Eagle's Nest was a present to Hitler from the political party, who, without any free will surrendered to the man who was going to bring down the world. In defiance, the building stands perched over a sheer rock wall. A road was cut into the mountain through the previously impassable terrain. Although an architectural master piece, it was still an act of waste on nature and other resources. To reach it, there is a golden brass elevator buried in the heart of the mountain, through which one can reach "the summit of power" - all this is created with the sole purpose to impress and dazzle people.
The building became a legend in the postwar period, and apparently its use of the Eagler's Nest was seen as essential as a visual motif in popular US war films and serials. This building is one of the few undamaged monuments of the Hilter era which has resulted in giving it a prominence that it does not perhaps deserve though it might seem to provoke.
Berchtesgaden has out lasted its political importance. It can however not be forgotten that the Eagle's Nest was a part of an idyllic setting that was intended to deceive all the horrors of those years. Today however it still offers a magnificent and unique view of the surrounding countryside and also the opportunity to remember and learn about the inhuman dictatorship it served.
The Eagle’s Nest was originally designed by Martin Bormann as a birthday present for Adolf Hitler’s 50th birthday on behalf of the NSDAP (Nazi Party). In fact, Hitler seldom visited the Eagle’s Nest.
In the end, Allied bombing at the end of World War II did not damage the Eagle’s Nest and thanks to the intervention of former Governor Jacob, the Eagle’s Nest was spared being blown up after the war.
Today the Eagle’s Nest remains in its original state. In 1960, on the occasion of the 150th celebration Berchtesgaden’s incorporation into Bavaria, the Bavarian government relinquished its control of the building to a trust that ensures that the proceeds are used for charitable purposes."
A map of the area from the base of the summit
After climbing up by specially equipped buses this is the first view you get.
Entering the tunnel in the side of the mountain to reach the elevator to take you up. This tunnel is 124m long
Built in 1938
Tunnel doors
The elevator that takes you up 124 m and you arrive directly inside the Haus
The floor plan of the Haus
As soon as you walk outside
The view of the front of the Haus
The rear of the Haus and outside portion of the restaurant
One of the seating areas inside the Haus turned restaurant
The view from where you sit for a meal
The fireplace given to Hilter from Benito Mussolini
Another portion of the restaurant
Various views outside of the Kehlstein Haus
