Kehlsteinhaus

The Kehlsteinhaus is a chalet-style building, which used to be an extension of the Obersalzberg complex built by the Nazis in the German Alps near Berchtesgaden.

The Kehlsteinhaus, also known as "Hitler's Tea House" or the Eagle's Nest, was built as a 50th birthday present for Adolf Hitler from the Nazi Party. The Eagle's Nest was meant to be a retreat for Hitler and a place for him to entertain visiting dignitaries (which he almost never did here). It was commissioned by Martin Bormann, with construction proceeding over a 13-month period prior to its formal presentation to Hitler in 1939. It is situated on a ridge at the top of the Kehlstein mountain (1835 m), reached by a spectacular 6.5 km (3.9 mile) road which cost 30 million Reichsmarks to build. The last 124 metres up to the Kehlsteinhaus are spanned by an elevator bored inside the mountain, reached via a granite tunnel; the elevator itself is surfaced with polished brass. The surprisingly plain main reception room is dominated by a fireplace of red Italian marble, presented by Mussolini. Much of the furniture (used without the designer's consent) was designed by Paul Laszlo, who had to flee the Holocaust.

Although the site is on the same mountain as the Berghof, Hitler rarely visited the property as he was afraid of heights. Other theories offered were that due to problems with his ears caused by shelling during his World War One service, he suffered migraines and other balance problems whilst at the higher altitudes of the Kehlsteinhaus. It has been suggested he only visited the Kehlsteinhaus around 10 times, and most times for no more than 30 minutes. It was perhaps because of this lack of close association with Hitler, the property was saved from demolition at the end of the war. It was subsequently used by the Allies as a military command post until 1960, when it was handed back to the State of Bavaria.

Allied capture

The HBO mini-series Band of Brothers depicts the Kehlsteinhaus being taken by troops from E company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division without a shot being fired. E Company was not the first company to take Kehlsteinhaus, and by the time E company had arrived, two other units had cleared it out. The French 2nd Armored Division first secured the Eagle's Nest, then 1st battalion of the 506th regiment, led by C company.

According to a local guide the Kehlsteinhaus was to be the aiming point of an RAF bombing raid on April 25, 1945. However 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 discernable, were present about 100 meters further up the ridge behind the Kehlsteinhaus.

Current use

The building is now owned by a charitable trust, and does its duty as restaurant. It is a popular tourist attraction, particularly for Britons and Americans attracted by the historical significance of the "Eagle's Nest". The house can be reached by foot (2 hours of walking), or by bus.

After the return of the Kehlsteinhaus to German hands, an information center was built on the foot of the hill to remind the public of the cruelty of Hitler's regime. The Kehlsteinhaus itself does not mention much about its past.

As late as August 2000 informal tours of Kehlsteinhaus were offered by a local guide to foreigners arriving by local bus at the lower elevator station. The tour was offered only in English, and this was apparently a requirement as previous trouble with neo-Nazis and post war Nazi sympathisers prohibited it being offered in German.

The lower rooms with spectacular plate glass window and spectacular views are part of the restaurant, but can be visited with a guide. Graffiti left by allied troops is still clearly visible in the surrounding woodwork. Hitler's small study is now a store room for the cafeteria.

External links

Adolf Hitler | Nazi architecture

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Allied capture

Current use

External links