When the war in Germany was coming to an end in 1945, there were two prized military objectives. One was Berlin (taken by the Russians) and the other was Berchtesgaden and Hitler's Berghof (mountain home) with its surrounding military installations in the Obersaltzberg (just above Berchtesgaden). Hitler actually spent 75% of his time at the Berghof during the time he was chancellor (1933 - 1945).
There has been considerable debate on whether the Americans or the French reached Berchtesgaden and Hitler's Berghof first. It was the Americans who first reached Berchtesgaden and the French who first traveled above Berchtesgaden to the Berghof. Hitler's Berghof had actually been heavily damaged by the British Royal Air Force in a bombing raid a month earlier (the house ruins have since been totally removed). Hitler was in Berlin and the Nazi's had abandoned the Berchtesgaden area as the Americans and French approached and there was very little resistance.
The building called "The Eagles Nest" is actually a tea house that was built on a mountain peak high above Hitler's Berghof. It was built as a birthday gift by the Nazi party for Hitler's 50th birthday. It was never used as Hitler's home (there were no bedrooms). Hitler only visited the Eagle's nest 14 times (he preferred another tea house closer to the Berghof). It was not damaged by the RAF bombing raid and today is a tourist attraction and restaurant.
Yesterday we took a a 4 hour guided tour called the "Eagles Nest History Tour". It starts in Berchtesgaden, takes you on a bus to a newly constructed Nazi documention museum near where Hitler had his Berghof, and then on another bus up the narrow mountain road to the Eagles Nest high above the Berghof (about a 20 minute ride). The tour was in English, very well organized and informative. Well worth the 50 Euro ($56) for seniors.
View of the Eagle's Nest
(looking west from a path leading to
an overlook that looks east to Austria)
Panoramic view from the Eagle's nest to the north
(Saltzburg is barely visible in the center
just below he horizon)
A similar view toward Saltzburg
The Obersalzberg Documention museum
documents the history of Hitler's as
chancellor of Germany.
Posters used as part of
Hitler's Youth program.
Symbols worn by persons considered "unfit"
for Hitler's community programs
(in the 4th row, two triangles making a star of David
worn by jews)
An extensive series of bunkers and tunnels were
constructed in the Obersaltzberg region
(nearly 2.5 miles total).
Some are open to the public.
An etching in the wall made by French
soldiers when they entered the bunkers
in May of 1945.
Other pictures (taken in the morning before the tour)
Konigsee (Kings Lake)
(located 3 miles south of Berchtesgaden)
Boat houses at the lake harbor leading
to the main lake.
Round trip boat rides (55 min each way)
were 17.50 Euro ($19.50) for adults.
The boat rides were very popular.
There are restaurants and walking trails at
the other end of the lake so you could
get off and walk or enjoy a lunch
and then take a boat ride back.
The lake is surrounded by steep mountains.
View of Berchtesgaden from the south
(from a back road leading into the town)
View from a covered bridge in Berchtesgaden.
View just outside of Berchtesgaden
(on a back road from Bad Reichenhall)
