Eagle's Nest Berchtesgaden

The Eagle’s Nest on the Obersalzberg

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Located atop the Obersalzberg Mountain, the Kehlsteinhaus, or Eagle’s Nest is inseparably linked with the Third Reich. Those who visit venture back into a dark period of German and Austrian history.

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The Kehlsteinhaus was completed in 1938. Contrary to widespread beliefs, the Kehlsteinhaus was not a gift for Hitler's 50th birthday in 1939. The building, now used as a mountain inn, offers a unique view of the Berchtesgaden mountain range and the Salzburg area. At the same time, it serves as a sobering reminder of the abyss of the inhumane Nazi dictatorship. Today, the Obersalzberg is increasingly seen as a historic site. In addition to the Obersalzberg Documentation Center, which serves as the central learning and memorial site, the area is also predominantly shaped by tourism.

The Kehlsteinhaus has been operated as a mountain inn since 1952. Access via the Kehlstein Road is only possible with special buses from the Kehlstein Line. The bus line starts at the Obersalzberg parking lot, and depending on weather conditions, the buses operate from early May to late October. The Kehlsteinhaus is closed in winter. In case of unforeseen events, such as snowfall or rockfall, the bus service may also be suspended in the summer, and the house may be closed.

Exhibition of the Institute for Contemporary History
The new exhibition on the sun terrace displays the history of the Kehlsteinhaus on 14 uniquely designed information boards. Historical photographs and accompanying texts tell the story of the mountain against the backdrop of historical events. From the transformation of the Obersalzberg into the "Führer's restricted area" to the construction of the Kehlstein Road and the Kehlsteinhaus in 1937/38, and its tourist use from 1945 to the present. The exhibition is not an alternative summary of the Obersalzberg documentation but is intended to encourage visitors to engage more deeply with the history at the Obersalzberg History Museum.

More information: www.kehlsteinhaus.de