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The Eagle's Nest, or Kehlsteinhaus, is a chalet perched atop Obersalzberg Mountain in Berchtesgaden, Germany, at an elevation of 1,834 meters above sea level. It was built as a 50th birthday gift for Adolf Hitler and served as his alpine retreat and a centre of power for the Nazi regime during World War II. The building is known for its dramatic location, accessible via a steep mountain road, a tunnel, and an elevator buried within the mountain. Today, the Eagle's Nest operates as a mountain guesthouse and restaurant, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area.
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What You'll Learn
Kehlsteinhaus, the Eagle's Nest's original name
Kehlsteinhaus, or the Eagle's Nest as it is known to English speakers, is a chalet perched atop a mountaintop in the Bavarian Alps, Germany. The name "Eagle's Nest" was coined by French ambassador André François-Poncet, who visited the building in 1938, and the name has been commonly used ever since. The building is located at an elevation of 1,820 to 1,834 meters above sea level and offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
The Kehlsteinhaus was built under the rule of the National Socialists as a 50th birthday gift for Adolf Hitler. It was intended to serve as a suitably representative venue and a place of political representation away from public view. The building was used for state occasions and government meetings during World War II, and decisions regarding persecution, war, and genocide were made here. Hitler, who was afraid of heights, is said to have visited only 14 times.
The road to the Eagle's Nest, known as the Kehlstein road, is an engineering marvel. It was blasted out of solid rock and features a unique construction design with only one long bend, rising 700 to 800 meters in altitude. Since 1952, the Kehlstein road has been closed to regular traffic, and visitors can only access the Eagle's Nest by taking a special bus or hiking. The bus ride takes visitors through a tunnel and up to the Kehlstein car park, where they can take a brass elevator up to the Eagle's Nest.
Today, the Kehlsteinhaus houses a reasonably priced mountain-top restaurant, offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area. The building has been preserved in its original state, while most other buildings from the Nazi era in the area have disappeared. Visitors can also explore the bunker system and underground town built by the Nazis, which included meeting rooms, offices, and living quarters.
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The Eagle's Nest was a gift to Hitler for his 50th birthday
The Eagle's Nest, or Kehlsteinhaus in German, is a historic site located in the Bavarian Alps, near the town of Berchtesgaden in southern Germany, close to the Austrian border. It sits atop the Kehlstein mountain, at an altitude of 1,834 meters (6,017 feet). The Eagle's Nest was indeed a gift to Adolf Hitler, presented to him on his 50th birthday, April 20, 1939.
The idea for the Eagle's Nest originated with Martin Bormann, who was then the chief of staff for the Nazi Party. Bormann wanted to create a special retreat for Hitler, a place where he could relax and entertain guests, away from the demands of Berlin. The project was funded by the Nazi Party treasury and donations from German industrialists. Bormann commissioned the architect Roderich Fick, who was also responsible for other buildings in the Berchtesgaden area, including Hitler's country residence, the Berghof.
The construction of the Eagle's Nest was a significant engineering feat. A road, cut into the mountainside, was built to provide access to the site. At the top, a 124-meter-long (407-foot) tunnel leads to a brass-clad elevator, which ascends the final 124 meters to the building. The structure itself is a circular stone building topped with a copper roof. It features a large central hall with a fireplace, several smaller rooms, and a terrace offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the Königssee lake below.
Hitler, however, is believed to have rarely visited the Eagle's Nest due to his fear of heights and concerns about the building's accessibility. He is said to have used it only about 10 times, mostly for diplomatic meetings and receptions. One notable occasion was in October 1939, when he met with the Duke of Windsor, the former King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom, and his wife, Wallis Simpson. After World War II, the Eagle's Nest fell into disrepair, but it has since been restored and now operates as a restaurant and tourist attraction, offering visitors a glimpse into the history of the region during the Third Reich.
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The Eagle's Nest is located at a height of 1820m above sea level
The Eagle's Nest, or Kehlsteinhaus in German, is a chalet perched atop Obersalzberg Mountain in Berchtesgaden, Germany. It is located at a height of 1820 metres (approximately 6000 feet) above sea level. The Eagle's Nest was built in 1939 as a 50th birthday gift to Adolf Hitler from his inner circle. The building and the road leading up to it were extremely expensive to construct. The road to the Eagle's Nest is an engineering marvel in its own right, having been blasted out of solid rock in just 13 months. It features a single long bend that rises 800 metres in altitude. Today, the road is closed to regular traffic, and tourists must take a special bus to reach the Eagle's Nest.
Hitler, who was afraid of heights, visited the Eagle's Nest only 14 times. The building was intended to serve as a diplomatic reception house, where Hitler could entertain important guests. However, in reality, the Eagle's Nest was rarely used for this purpose. During World War II, it was used for state occasions and government meetings. The Eagle's Nest was one of the few buildings from the Nazi era that was not damaged by bombs or Allied attacks, and it remains largely preserved today.
Since 1960, the Eagle's Nest has housed a mountain-top restaurant offering panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. Visitors can also take guided bus tours or opt to hike to the Eagle's Nest, enjoying the magnificent scenery along the way. The Eagle's Nest is typically open from May to October, and visitors are advised to schedule their visits within this period to fully experience the site.
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The Eagle's Nest is only accessible by bus or on foot
The Eagle's Nest, or Kehlsteinhaus, is a chalet perched atop Obersalzberg Mountain in Berchtesgaden, Germany. It was built as a 50th birthday gift for Adolf Hitler, who intended to use it as an official mountain retreat. The Eagle's Nest is located at a height of 1,820 to 1,834 meters above sea level and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. Due to its elevation and location, the only way to access the Eagle's Nest is by taking a special bus or hiking up the mountain.
The bus ride to the Eagle's Nest is an experience in itself. The road to the Eagle's Nest, known as the Kehlstein road, is closed to regular traffic and can only be accessed by a special bus service. This bus ride takes visitors up a steep mountain road with dramatic views. At the end of the road is a car park, where visitors disembark and enter a 124-metre tunnel through the mountain rock. On the other side of the tunnel, a brass elevator fitted with mirrors and polished brass takes visitors up directly into the Eagle's Nest in just 41 seconds.
The bus ride can be combined with a guided tour of the Eagle's Nest and the surrounding area, which can be a convenient and informative way to experience this historic site. Visitors can also choose to hike to the Eagle's Nest, which takes approximately two hours and offers magnificent views of the Bavarian Lake Königssee. This hike can be a great option for those who want to experience the beauty of the Bavarian Alps and enjoy the scenery that made this region legendary even before its association with Hitler and the Nazis.
The Eagle's Nest is typically open to visitors between May and October, and it is recommended to book tickets in advance to ensure access. The site has an exhibition that informs visitors about its history and connection to Hitler and the Nazi regime. While the Eagle's Nest may not have been as significant during World War II as its reputation suggests, it still stands as a symbol of the power and insanity of the Nazi regime, and decisions about persecution, war, and genocide were made here.
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The Eagle's Nest is a popular day-trip destination
The Eagle's Nest, or Kehlsteinhaus, is a chalet perched atop Obersalzberg Mountain in Berchtesgaden, Germany, at an elevation of 1,820 metres above sea level. It was built as a gift for Adolf Hitler's 50th birthday and served as a centre of power for the Nazi Party during World War II. Despite its association with Hitler and the Nazis, the Eagle's Nest has become a popular day-trip destination, attracting visitors interested in both the history and the natural beauty of the area.
The Eagle's Nest offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges and is known for its dramatic approach. Visitors can take a special bus from the Kehlstein car park, which rises 800 metres in altitude, or hike up the mountain on foot. The bus ride takes them through a 124-metre tunnel carved into the solid mountain rock, leading to a brass elevator that ascends directly into the Eagle's Nest. This elevator, buried in the heart of the mountain, adds to the sense of arriving at the "summit of power".
The Eagle's Nest has been largely preserved in its original state. While Hitler rarely visited due to his fear of heights, the site was used for state occasions and government meetings during World War II. Today, the chalet houses a reasonably priced restaurant, offering panoramic views of the Bavarian Alps. Visitors can also explore the bunker system and tunnels beneath the mountain, which once held meeting rooms, offices, and government archives.
The Eagle's Nest is typically open from May to October, and visitors are advised to book their tickets in advance. In-depth historical tours are available for individuals or groups, and the nearby Obersalzberg Documentation Centre provides additional context on the area's role in National Socialist history. A half-day trip from Salzburg, Austria, is a popular option for many visitors.
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Frequently asked questions
The Eagle's Nest, or Kehlsteinhaus in German, is a chalet perched on a mountaintop in the Bavarian Alps, Germany, above the city of Berchtesgaden.
The name "Eagle's Nest" was coined by French ambassador André François-Poncet, who visited the building in 1938.
The Eagle's Nest was built by the Nazi Party as a 50th birthday gift for Adolf Hitler.
The Eagle's Nest was intended to serve as a place of political representation, away from the public eye. It was used for state occasions and government meetings during World War II.
Yes, the Eagle's Nest is open to visitors between May and October. It can be accessed via a special bus service or on foot.
