Hitler's Eagles Nest Berchtesgaden Bavaria

The Kehlsteinhaus was commissioned by Martin Bormann, with construction proceeding over a 13-month period. It was completed in the summer of 1938, prior to its formal presentation to Hitler on his 50th birthday on April 20, 1939. It is situated on a ridge at the top of the Kehlstein mountain 1,834 m (6,017 ft), reached by a 6.5 km (4.0 mi) long and 4 m (13 ft) wide road that cost RM 30 million to build (about 150 million euros in 2007, adjusted in line with inflation). It includes five tunnels but only one hairpin turn and climbs 800 m (2,600 ft).

The last 124 m (407 ft)[1] up to the Kehlsteinhaus are reached by an elevator bored straight down through the mountain and linked via a tunnel through the granite below that is 124 m (407 ft) long.[1] The inside of the large car-elevator is surfaced with polished brass, Venetian mirrors and green leather (the elevator is still used daily). Construction of the mountain elevator system cost the lives of 12 construction workers.[2] The main reception room is dominated by a fireplace of red Italian marble, presented by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, which was damaged by Allied soldiers chipping off pieces to take home as souvenirs. Much of the furniture was designed by Paul László.

A significant event held at the Kehlsteinhaus was the wedding reception that followed the marriage of Eva Braun's sister Gretl to Hermann Fegelein on June 3, 1944. The event was filmed and amongst others Martin Bormann can be seen there. The building is often mistakenly referred to as a "tea house", a corruption of its abbreviated name, "D-Haus", short for "Diplomatic Reception Haus". As a result it is frequently confused with the tea house at Hitler's Berghof, the Mooslahnerkopf Teehaus,[3] he visited daily after lunch.[4]

Eagle's Nest from below
Although the site is on the same mountain as the Berghof, Hitler rarely visited the property. It has been suggested he only visited the Kehlsteinhaus around 10 times, and most times for no more than 30 minutes. He received André François-Poncet (the departing French ambassador to Germany) there on October 18, 1938.

The Kehlsteinhaus was to be the aiming point of a Royal Air Force bombing raid by a force of 359 Avro Lancasters and 16 de Havilland Mosquitoes of No. 1, No. 5, and No. 8 Group RAF, including 617 Sqn,[5] on April 25, 1945. The small house proved an elusive target and the Berghof area was targeted instead and severely damaged. Several anti-aircraft positions, the base plate of one of which is still discernible, were present about 100 m (330 ft) further up the ridge behind the Kehlsteinhaus.

[rosstantrum]

I visited the Eagles Nest in 1995 on the day it was raining and very misty and it was hard to see the mountains. I would like to go back again one day and have beer out on the terrace and admire the view.

[cusin]

Just came back from a trip to Germany, Switzerland and Austria totally breathtaking ❤️

[Timotheus]

Beautiful, inspiring, a heartwarming memorial to German heroes, and a perfect tribute to the united German homeland, German people, and German spirit. Long live Deutschland!

[nancyhobson]

What a view! Can't believe what ones eyes are seeing

[irfanimp]

I saw in the documentary that this guy came out of the front door and called one of the servants in the field with his finger for eva braun. Now he must be in his mansion in hell. It must be an irony of fate to build a mansion reaching up to the sky for an enemy of humanity.

[dreta]

The third song name is Cuckoo waltz, but who is the artist? Please tell me! Thank you. I know: Will Glahe

[tonys]

am anfang dachte ich "...oh, gleich reitet Robin Hood daher"

[marco]

Die Musik dazu ist einfach schrecklich