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.

Related Topics:
Obersalzberg - Nazis - German Alps - Berchtesgaden

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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 proceding 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.

Related Topics:
Nazi Party - Martin Bormann - 1939 - Kehlstein - Reichsmark - Brass - Italian - Mussolini

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Although the site is on the same mountain as the Berghof, Hitler rarely visited the property as he was afraid of heights. 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.

Related Topics:
Berghof - Allies - 1960

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