It’s the Kehlsteinhaus, or rather, the Eagle’s Nest (as it was known in the English-speaking world), a construction of the National Socialists to be built directly atop the highest point of Kehlstein, a rock spur that is a rise about Obersalzberg. It was open only to National Socialist Party officials for government as well as for social gatherings. Adolf Hitler paid visits on at least 14 documented occasions. Today, visitors are welcome as a seasonal restaurant, beer garden, and visitor attraction.
Construction
The Kehlsteinhaus sits on a ridge atop the Kehlstein, a 1,834 m (6,017 ft) subpeak of the Hoher Göll that rises above the town of Berchtesgaden. It was commissioned by Martin Bormann in the summer of 1937. Paid for by the Nazi Party, it was completed in 13 months. Twelve workers died during its construction.
The 4 m (13 ft) wide approach road climbs 800 m (2,600 ft) over 6.5 km (4.0 mi); it has five tunnels and one hairpin turn. It cost 30 million ℛ︁ℳ︁ to build, which is approximately $247 million USD in inflation-adjusted terms for 2022. Hitler’s birthday in April 1939 was taken as a deadline for the project’s completion; so work went on throughout the winter of 1938, even at night with the worksite lit by searchlights.
From a large car park, a 124 m (407 ft) entry tunnel leads to an ornate elevator that ascends the final 124 m (407 ft) to the building. The tunnel is lined with marble and was originally heated with warm air from an adjoining service tunnel. However, it was normal for visiting high officials to be driven through the tunnel to the elevator. Their driver had to reverse the car all along the length of the tunnel since there was no space to turn.
Inside, the large elevator is surfaced with polished brass, Venetian mirrors, and green leather. The main reception room of the building is dominated by a red Italian marble fireplace presented by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini; it was damaged by Allied soldiers chipping off pieces to take home as souvenirs.
The building had a completely electric appliance kitchen, which was unusual in 1937, but was never used to cook meals; instead, meals were prepared in town and taken to the kitchen on the mountain top to be reheated.
The building also has heated floors, with heating required for at least two days before visitors arrived. A MAN submarine diesel engine and an electrical generator were installed in an underground chamber close to the main entrance to provide back-up power.
Much of the furniture was designed by Paul László.
Use
Hitler first visited on 16 September 1938 and returned to inaugurate it on 20 April 1939, his 50th birthday, though it was not intended as a birthday gift.
There are two ways to approach and enter the building: the road and the Kehlsteinhaus elevator. Hitler did not trust the elevator, continually expressed his reservations about its safety, and disliked using it; his biggest fear was that the elevator’s winch mechanism on the roof would attract a lightning strike. Bormann took great pains to never mention the two serious lightning strikes that occurred during construction.
The Kehlsteinhaus lies several miles directly above the Berghof, Hitler’s summer home. In a rare diplomatic engagement, Hitler received departing French ambassador André François-Poncet on 18 October 1938, here. It was he who coined the name “Eagle’s Nest” for the building while later describing the experience; this has since become a commonly used name for the Kehlsteinhaus.
A wedding reception for Eva Braun’s sister Gretl was held there following her marriage to Hermann Fegelein on 3 June 1944. While Hitler more often than not left the entertaining duties to others, he believed the house presented an excellent opportunity to entertain important and impressionable guests.
Referred to as the “D-Haus,” short for “Diplomatic Reception House,” the Kehlsteinhaus is often conflated with the teahouse on Mooslahnerkopf Hill near the Berghof, which Hitler walked to daily after lunch. The teahouse was demolished by the Bavarian government after the war, due to its connection to Hitler.
Allied capture
The Kehlsteinhaus was a target for the 25 April 1945 bombing of Obersalzberg. This was a Royal Air Force bombing raid conducted by No. 1, No. 5, and No. 8 Group and No. 617 Squadron. The small house proved an elusive target for the force of 359 Avro Lancasters and 16 de Havilland Mosquitoes, which bombed and severely damaged the Berghof area instead.
It is uncertain which Allied military unit was the first to reach the Kehlsteinhaus. The matter is compounded by popular confusion of it being taken on 4 May by forward elements of the 2e Division Blindée (specifically “La Nueve”, a company composed of Spanish Republicans), with the town of Berchtesgaden, taken by elements of the U.S. 7th Infantry Regiment.
Reputedly, members of the 7th went as far as the elevator to the Kehlsteinhaus, with at least one person claiming that he and a partner continued on to the top. In a Library of Congress interview and more recent interviews, Herman Louis Finnell of the 3rd Infantry Division said that his regiment entered the Berghof, not the Kehlsteinhaus. However, the 101st Airborne claims it was first both to Berchtesgaden and the Kehlsteinhaus.
Meanwhile, troops of the 2e Division Blindée, including Laurent Touyeras, Georges Buis, and Paul Répiton-Préneuf, were present on the night of 4-5 May, and took Hitler’s personal items and several photographs before the Americans arrived and before leaving on 10 May at the request of U.S. command. This is corroborated by numerous testimonies of the Spanish soldiers who went along with them.
Undamaged in the 25 April bombing raid, the Kehlsteinhaus was subsequently used by the Allies as a military command post until 1960, when it was handed back to the State of Bavaria.
Today
Today, the Kehlsteinhaus is run by a charity trust as a restaurant, both indoors and an outdoor beer garden. The building is an attraction because of the historical value associated with it. The road had been closed to private traffic in 1952 since it is too narrow for two-way traffic. The house can be reached on foot in two hours from Obersalzberg, or by bus from the Documentation Centre.
The Documentation Centre directs visitors to the coach station where tickets are purchased. The bus ticket serves as an entry ticket, as it permits the holder entry to the building’s elevator. The buses are specially modified to ascend the steep road leading to the peak.
The shuttle buses have been converted to fully electric in 2023. Inside the Kehlsteinhaus, few historic details exist, but photos along the wall of the sun terrace exhibit the pre-construction location and subsequent history are available.
Booking informal tours of the Kehlsteinhaus can be made through the website, and no external guides are allowed on grounds that include a perception of neo-Nazis and post-war Nazi sympathizers.
The lower rooms are not part of the restaurant but can be visited with a guide. They offer views of the building’s past through plate-glass windows. Graffiti left by Allied troops is still clearly visible in the surrounding woodwork.
The red Italian marble fireplace has been damaged from Allied souvenir hunters, though that was later ended by a notice posted stating the building was property of the United States government and damage to it would be taken as grounds for disciplinary action. Hitler’s little study is currently a storage facility for the cafeteria.
A trail leads above the Kehlsteinhaus towards the Mannlgrat ridge, reaching from the Kehlstein to the summit of the Hoher Göll. The route, which is served by a Klettersteig, is regarded as the easiest to the top.
Gallery
1. The Enigmatic Construction of Kehlsteinhaus: A Feat of Engineering or Something Else?
Kehlsteinhaus, also known as the Eagle’s Nest, is a majestic structure perched atop the Kehlstein Mountain in the Bavarian Alps. Completed in 1938, it was intended as a retreat for Adolf Hitler, but the construction itself remains a subject of mystery.
The building is not only strategically located at over 6,000 feet above sea level but also stands as a testament to advanced engineering. The fact that it was constructed in such a remote and difficult terrain in a relatively short time has sparked numerous speculations about the level of technology available at the time.
How was such an ambitious project completed in less than a year without modern construction tools? Some believe that secretive Nazi technological advancements might have played a role, while others suggest that outside forces, like unknown collaborators or ancient knowledge of the area, could have contributed to the design. Could there have been hidden agendas behind the rapid construction, such as the testing of advanced engineering technologies or the need for a secure command center?
Adding to the mystery, some theories propose that the location of Kehlsteinhaus was not merely a random choice. Was it strategically chosen for a reason other than Hitler’s personal comfort, perhaps as a focal point for a network of underground bunkers and secret escape routes? The true purpose of its construction remains a riddle to this day.
2. The Mysterious Role of Kehlsteinhaus During World War II
While Kehlsteinhaus is often associated with Hitler’s leisure time, there are lingering questions about its true role during World War II. Some historical accounts suggest that the building was a center of Nazi operations, used for more than just meetings and rest. However, the exact nature of the work carried out there is still unclear.
According to some reports, the location served as a high-level meeting point for Nazi officers and foreign dignitaries. Yet, no substantial records or documentation from the time seem to confirm this, leading many to wonder if the truth has been deliberately obscured. Was Kehlsteinhaus merely a propaganda tool for the Nazi regime, or was it used for far more sinister activities, such as covert research or testing of new technologies?
Some historians claim that secret military operations took place in the area surrounding Kehlsteinhaus, with the building serving as a command center for high-profile missions. Could the mountain’s isolation have made it an ideal spot for covert activities, hidden from the prying eyes of the Allies?
3. The Hidden Rooms of Kehlsteinhaus: Unseen Spaces and Their Secrets
Kehlsteinhaus is known for its luxurious design and breathtaking views, but what lies behind its walls remains an intriguing mystery. While the building’s public spaces have been extensively documented, there are rumors of hidden rooms and secret passageways that have never been fully explored.
Some claim that there are underground chambers located beneath the building, possibly used for storage or as safe havens during times of danger. These hidden areas may have been sealed off after the war, with no access granted to the public or even local authorities. Others suggest that these rooms were designed for use by Nazi leaders during meetings or in case of emergencies. Could there be vital documents or artifacts hidden within these rooms that have never been discovered?
The fact that many of the building’s details remain largely unexplored has led to speculations that the Nazis might have left behind important evidence in Kehlsteinhaus—evidence that could shed light on the inner workings of the regime.
4. The Mysterious Tunnels of Kehlsteinhaus: Were They Used for Escape?
Kehlsteinhaus’s location, high atop the Kehlstein Mountain, made it an isolated fortress-like structure. However, this isolation also made it a potential target for enemy forces during World War II. As a result, some researchers have speculated that hidden tunnels or escape routes were constructed to allow high-ranking Nazis to flee if the building was ever under siege.
In addition to this, several eyewitness reports suggest that there were tunnels that connected Kehlsteinhaus to nearby bunkers or even the larger complex at Berchtesgaden. While no solid evidence has been found to confirm the existence of these tunnels, the rumors persist. Could these tunnels have been part of a larger escape plan in case of an Allied invasion?
Moreover, the Nazis’ obsession with building underground structures during the war has led some to believe that Kehlsteinhaus was not an isolated case. Perhaps it was just one part of an extensive network of tunnels designed for secrecy and protection.
5. The Curious Connection to Ancient Sites: Was Kehlsteinhaus Built on Sacred Ground?
Another intriguing mystery surrounding Kehlsteinhaus involves its location atop Kehlstein Mountain. The mountain, and the surrounding area, have long been associated with ancient myths and legends, leading some to wonder if the site was chosen for more than just its strategic advantage.
Could it be that the Nazis, in their quest for power and control, were drawn to the site due to its possible historical or mystical significance? There are rumors that the mountain was once a place of ancient rituals and that its energy was thought to be connected to pagan gods or supernatural forces. Could Kehlsteinhaus have been built atop these older foundations in order to harness that power for the Nazis’ own purposes?
While historians and archaeologists have found no evidence to support such theories, the connection between the site’s location and its mysterious energy has been a subject of discussion for decades. Perhaps the Nazis were looking for more than just a secure retreat; perhaps they were seeking something deeper, a connection to an ancient force.
6. The Strange Disappearance of Kehlsteinhaus Records: Lost or Hidden?
The official records about Kehlsteinhaus from the Nazi era are strangely incomplete. While there is no shortage of documents detailing the building’s creation and the visits of high-ranking officials, much of the day-to-day history of the site remains missing. Could this be a deliberate effort to erase the building’s true significance from history?
Some experts believe that the records might have been deliberately destroyed at the end of World War II to prevent the Allies from gaining access to sensitive information. The missing documents could include vital intelligence, communications, or even evidence of the building’s involvement in darker, more secretive activities. Alternatively, it’s possible that the documents were hidden, either by those who worked at Kehlsteinhaus or by post-war officials.
The ongoing mystery of these missing records continues to fascinate researchers, who are eager to uncover any remaining traces of the building’s secret history.
7. The Alleged Nazi Occult Practices at Kehlsteinhaus: Truth or Myth?
During the rise of the Third Reich, many Nazi leaders were deeply involved in occult practices, ranging from astrology to the exploration of ancient mysticism. Kehlsteinhaus, due to its remote location and symbolic importance, is often cited in conspiracy theories about Nazi occult activities.
Some claim that the building was used as a meeting place for occultists, who gathered there to practice rituals intended to invoke power and control. The mystical energy of the mountain, coupled with the secrecy of the site, is believed by some to have made it an ideal place for these dark ceremonies. Could the location have served as the backdrop for occult rituals conducted by top Nazi figures, including Hitler himself?
While there is no definitive proof to support these claims, the presence of Nazi interest in the occult is well documented, and the connection to Kehlsteinhaus is a subject of ongoing speculation. Was the building just a military retreat, or was it part of a much darker agenda?
8. Kehlsteinhaus After the War: A Symbol of Escape or a Silent Witness?
After World War II, Kehlsteinhaus, like many Nazi sites, became a symbol of the war’s grim legacy. However, some suggest that the building played an even more significant role in the post-war period, potentially as a hiding place for important Nazi figures seeking refuge after Germany’s surrender.
Could Kehlsteinhaus have served as a final haven for individuals fleeing Allied capture? Some speculate that top Nazi leaders might have used the building as a last-ditch escape point, hoping to disappear into the surrounding mountains and evade prosecution. These theories are fueled by the building’s isolated location and the fact that the surrounding area was not thoroughly investigated by Allied forces immediately after the war.
Despite these theories, no substantial evidence has emerged to suggest that Kehlsteinhaus was used in this way. But the mystery of what occurred at the site in the aftermath of the war lingers, as does the question of whether it served as a silent witness to the desperate actions of those who once sought power.
9. The Kehlsteinhaus Artifacts: Lost or Hidden?
Throughout its history, Kehlsteinhaus has been associated with various pieces of art, furniture, and other items that are now considered valuable historical artifacts. Some of these items were originally commissioned for the building by the Nazis, including grandiose sculptures, paintings, and decorative elements.
However, the whereabouts of many of these items after the war remain unclear. Were they lost during the chaos of the Allied occupation, or were they deliberately hidden by those seeking to protect them from being seized as war trophies? Some theories suggest that these items, many of which hold symbolic significance, were hidden away by individuals associated with the Nazi regime, either for their monetary value or to preserve Nazi symbolism for future generations.
Whether these artifacts are hidden in secret locations or simply lost to time is a mystery that continues to fascinate collectors and historians alike.
10. The Kehlsteinhaus Ghost Stories: Fact or Fiction?
There are numerous accounts of strange occurrences and ghostly sightings at Kehlsteinhaus, with many visitors and locals claiming to have experienced unsettling phenomena. Some have reported hearing footsteps when no one is around or encountering strange apparitions in the building’s halls.
Could the building, with its dark history, be haunted by the spirits of those who perished in the wake of the war? Or is the haunting simply a result of the building’s eerie atmosphere and its remote, isolated location? Regardless of the cause, the ghost stories surrounding Kehlsteinhaus add to its mystique, as people continue to speculate about the supernatural forces that might still linger in its walls.
Is Kehlsteinhaus truly a place where the past refuses to be forgotten, or are the ghost stories just a product of imagination? The answer remains elusive.
