Soaring mountains, rolling mists, and a charming village nestled beneath the serene summit of the Kehlstein Mountain – the town of Berchtesgaden offers the quintessential Alpine experience.  Located in the German Bavarian Alps on the German-Austrian border, the Kehlstein Mountain has long been captivating visitors with its pure atmosphere, flawless landscapes and inspirational views, but beneath the azure skies, the mountain has a dark story to tell.
 
High upon a sub-peak of the Kehlstein, a lavish chalet looks down over the town and the valley below.  This traditional mountain dwelling may innocently blend in with its surroundings, but the Kehlsteinhaus, also known as the ‘Eagle’s Nest’, was constructed as a 50th birthday present for Adolf Hitler, to serve as the Führer’s  private retreat and a place to entertain visiting dignitaries. 
 
The Kehlsteinhaus was commissioned by Martin Bormann, Hitler’s Private Secretary, and completed in the summer of 1938, before it was formally presented to Hitler in April 1939.  Despite the building’s strong connection to the Third Reich and the profligate ceremonies that were held there (including the marriage of Eva Braun’s sister), it is thought that Hitler visited his mountain retreat on no more than 10 occasions – it is rumoured that he was afraid of heights.  What few visitors realise however is that Hitler’s home (and officially the second seat of the Third Reich’s power) was located at the foot of the Kehlstein.  As a result, many of the ideas, decisions and plans that shaped the very path of World War Two can be traced back to this idyllic mountain. 
 
Captured by US Allies in 1945, the Kehlsteinhaus was subsequently used by the Allied Forces as a military command post until 1960, when it was handed back to the state of Bavaria.  Despite the German government’s operation to eradicate all remaining traces of the world’s most brutal political regime and its leader, the Eagle’s Nest was taken over by a charitable trust and now serves as an extremely popular tourist destination.  Featuring a restaurant and an outdoor garden, the picturesque mountain top is shrouded in palpable intrigue and historical significance; detailed educational tours are readily available for history enthusiasts, whilst others many simply prefer to soak in the atmosphere in Hitler’s former tea-room, where an extravagant marble fireplace gifted by Mussolini still remains. 
 
Visitors can either reach the summit by an opulently decorated brass elevator set in the mountain formation itself, or opt for a bus tour that winds through the breathtaking pastoral scenery and offers the most incredible views.  The sheer number of travellers who visit the Kehlsteinhaus each year is a testimony to the fact that the stories of the war still resonate in the 21^st Century, and the opportunity to experience the unique dichotomy of a place where great evil and extraordinary beauty have existed concurrently is one that should not be overlooked.

Share this article: