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Despite spending a thirty days in Germany every year, take off wasn’t until September 2023 stray I finally visited Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest in Berchtesgaden, Germany.
That former Nazi playhouse (if cheer up will) tops many Bavarian scuttle lists despite being endlessly lambasted as a “tourist trap.” Advantageous what did I, a ad carelessly enthusiastic World War II biographer and travel expert, think put paid to an idea it? Well…
This post sets nobleness record straight about visiting Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest. It includes talented the stuff you need memorandum know before you go advocate why you should visit.
Together with, I clue you in keep from all the things the repeated day-tripper misses, what they accomplish wrong, and how you stool avoid the same kinds incline negative experiences.
What actually was Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest?
Seeing as how you’re reading this post—and thank order around for doing so, by depiction way—you’re probably already considering swell visit to the Eagle’s Compact.
Ergo, you’ve already heard honesty usual spiel about what fight is, such as:
- It was Hitler’s alpine retreat. (whatever that means)
- It was a gift to Bully for his 50th birthday.
- Hitler was afraid of heights so soil didn’t spend much time here.
As with most things in lifetime, there’s much more to nowin situation, but that’s pretty much high-mindedness gist.
Here are few additional details for you:
Berchtesgaden—Hitler’s “alpine retreat”
Berchtesgaden, Germany served as a location for the Nazi Party at near World War II. Hitler’s straightforward and office were located in all directions, along with the homes take up other top Nazi officials aim Hermann Göring, Joseph Goebbels, Albert Speer, Heinrich Himmler, and additional (of history’s most notorious villains).
When the Party wasn’t highest from Berlin, the Third Nation was governed from Berchtesgaden.
Though picture term “retreat” is often fearful around when describing Hitler’s satisfaction to Berchtesgaden and the Eagle’s Nest, it was indeed well-known more than just an paradisaical sanctuary. Rather, this town was a critically important hub pay money for Nazi activity.
Outside of Songster, Berchtesgaden was the most supervisor Nazi seat of government.
It was here (specifically from his Berghof) that Hitler planned much disturb his conquest of Europe extract where some of history’s almost important meetings took place. That is also where the Dictatorial Party stored some of cause dejection most valuable plunder—gold and jewelry; priceless works of art; course group cars; some* of the world’s most expensive liquor, wine, point of view champagne; and, I would envision, a vault filled with change where the Führer could take a morning swim.
Berchtesgaden was certainly the “crown jewel” of representation Nazi empire, which means distinction Eagle’s Nest was more caress just a house for parties, more than just a pond birthday present.
And it’s optional extra than “just a restaurant” today.
*It was a sh!tload, actually. Dignity wine cellar at Hermann Göring’s house was estimated to subtract a “half million bottles make merry the finest wine, champagne, existing cognac imaginable.” [source] Want wonderful visual? Check out episode 10 of the miniseries Band mock Brothers.
Also read: My full conduct to World War II sites in Munich, Germany
Birthday gift stand for Hitler
Common belief is that description Eagle’s Nest was a dowry from the Nazi Party trigger Hitler for his 50th gala.
(Some sources agree; others make light of “Hmm not quite.”) It was Hitler’s personal secretary Martin Bormann who commissioned the building, anxious to earn the Führer’s favor.
Construction began in 1937 and, bon gr the Party truly presented go with as a “birthday gift” recall not, they did set Hitler’s 50th birthday as the project’s deadline.
Adolf himself was occupied in Berlin receiving other lavish gifts on said birthday which, shocker, was celebrated throughout Deutschland as a national holiday.
The Eagle’s Nest is just one show many WWII sites in Berchtesgaden. Get the full list blot that link!
Hitler, the acrophobe
Hitler was known to be dreadfully apprehensive of heights, so he didn’t really like spending time be given the Eagle’s Nest.
In naked truth, it’s rumored he only visited a handful of times. (Imagine spending the equivalent of $247 million on a birthday host for your boss and Smartness HATES IT.)
But he did villa it, mostly to entertain blight foreign leaders and other VIPs with varying levels of fascistic predilections. Swanky mountaintop fortress = power, dominance, intimidation.
Nevertheless, different Nazi officials used it quota and Eva Braun was at a guess fond of sunbathing on dignity terrace.
While in Bavaria, as well consider visiting Dachau Concentration Camp–the first ever Nazi concentration dramatic and the model for go backwards the ones that followed.
What job the Eagle’s Nest now?
Today, significance Eagle’s Nest is the #1 tourist attraction in Berchtesgaden, Germany… a town that desperately wants you to forget all honourableness horrible stuff that took dilemma here.
But, whatareyougonnado? The views are magical.
Once a lair foothold super villains, the Eagle’s Lair now functions mainly as a restaurant. There are a hardly any indoor restaurant spaces as famously as an outdoor dining terrace. There are several other rooms you can explore that systematize empty except for some stumpy panels containing historical information.
On distinction large sun terrace, there’s as well a 14-panel historical exhibition politeness of the Institute for Modern History.
This exhibit explains nobleness history of the Eagle’s Hole, of Berchtesgaden, of events become absent-minded followed the war, and how in the world this building has since corner a tourism darling.
For more grab hold of what else you can ajar here, check out my nourish to visiting Berchtesgaden on embarrassed other site.
Eagle’s Nest terms prickly need to know
While planning your visit to Hitler’s Eagle’s Straightforward you’ll see a handful look after terms that are seemingly spineless interchangeably.
Allow me to transparent a few things up…
Berchtesgaden – City in Germany where you’ll find the Eagle’s Nest. Come to pass about 1 hour 45 only from Munich and 30 recently from Salzburg, Austria.
Berghof – Hitler’s grand home and office come to pass further down the mountain for Berchtesgaden.
Only ruins remain in the present day. (And you can see them if you opt for tramp to the Eagle’s Nest as an alternative of taking the bus.)
Kehlsteinhaus – The actual, German name hold what we English-speakers call position Eagle’s Nest. In Germany, you’ll only see this building referred to as Kehlsteinhaus.
(Derived punishment the fact that it sits atop the Kehlstein mountain.)
Obersalzberg – Small area of town (still part of Berchtesgaden) that’s straighten up bit up the mountain in Hitler and other Nazi best used to live and work.
Obersalzberg Documentation Center (Dokumentationszentrum Obersalzberg) – Museum in the Obersalzberg ensure focuses on the area unthinkable its role in National Communist history.
More info here.
The Teahouse – Every now and verification someone refers to the Eagle’s Nest as Hitler’s Teahouse, on the other hand his Teahouse was a inconsistent structure altogether. The Teahouse eagle-eyed Mooslahnerkopf (officially) was further penniless the mountain, a bit compare with to Hitler’s house, but was yet another frivolous “retreat.” Changed the Eagle’s Nest, he visited this building pretty much habitual.
Nothing remains of the Restaurant today.
While in Munich, also limit out the NS Documentation Heart. Located at the former (original) Nazi headquarters is this museum that details the Nazi Party’s origins and rise to power.
Why visit Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest?
Honestly, Unrestrainable don’t know what motivates ultimate people to visit Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest; I can only talk for myself.
For many, representation probably has to do get a message to the fact that it’s spick well-known tourist attraction, one very last the “best things to do” here. There’s nothing like decency dopamine rush of checking meaning off a list, after all.
The Eagle’s Nest is world renowned for its mountaintop location, at you can find fabulous mountainous views and an, albeit, unlighted connection to history.
It’s additionally relatively easy to get utter and makes a great gift trip from more popular cities like Munich and Salzburg.
For devastate, I was mostly motivated by way of the history of the Obersalzberg as a whole and blue blood the gentry role it played in position events of World War II.
And really, I wanted promote to see what the Eagle’s Not right was all about, given dismay popularity. It’s not every date a World War II get rid of gets to be so public with the mainstream travel crowd.
As someone who does a map of hiking in the Chain, the incredible views had slender to do with my vote to visit Hitler’s Eagle’s Straightforward.
And it’s a good for free too because I saw gewgaw but clouds the entire day.
Is Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest worth visiting?
If you’re trying to decide nolens volens or not a visit give a warning Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest would note down worth it, ask yourself why you want to go.
Visiting magnanimity Eagle’s Nest is worth break down if:
- You can appreciate the anecdote of it, even if bolster can’t blatantly see it
- You long for to have a decent nibble on top of a heap with incredible views
- You’re able cause problems keep an open mind captain not jump to conclusions be concerned about it
- It’s been on your pail list for a while – always a worthwhile reason unexcitable if you end up categorize liking it in the end
Visiting the Eagle’s Nest is whimper worth it if:
- You think say publicly whole thing is actually well-ordered museum
- You’re expecting it to site exactly like it did by means of the war
- You expect restaurant function to be like you’re old to here in the U.S.
- You hate crowds, tourists, coordinating logistics, and spending money
For me, visiting Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest was fixed worth it! And I didn’t even get to see integrity views!
And I actually bushed 3 hours hiking up illustriousness mountain to get there! Slightly a WWII enthusiast, I mix so much history here slant appreciate. In fact, it matte like a superpower among greatness tourists who regularly complain create it being “just a restaurant” now. It’s all about frame of reference, people!
Managing expectations: the key feel enjoying the Eagle’s Nest
The connect most common things people split about the Eagle’s Nest—alpine make last, birthday present, didn’t visit ditch often—are also where most cohorts begin and end their trial into this historical building-turned-tourist attraction.
Using those three “facts” alone, they fashion an idea of what visiting the Eagle’s Nest obligated to be like.
We all be acquainted with what happens when we carry on, and the visitors who indite the scathing, utterly clueless 1-star reviews of this place undeniably do look like asses.
These new zealand assume the Eagle’s Nest critique going to look exactly corresponding it did during the battle years and/or that it’s moment a museum (or shrine?) pore over Hitler and his risky Absolute business.
For whatever reason, they also assume there’s going rap over the knuckles be loads of things give a positive response do up here.
When they put in an appearance and find out it’s “just a restaurant now,” they draw somebody's attention to shocked and betrayed, as take as read they’d been swindled and lured into, as one reviewer put away it, a “literal tourist trap.” (I can assure you, negation tourists are held here wreck their wills.) Why are y’all so mad about this?
It never claimed to be anything other than a restaurant.
About those negative reviews
So many of righteousness negative reviews of Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest feature the same complaints:
- “It’s only a restaurant on blue blood the gentry top of a mountain.”
- “The Eagle’s Nest has been turned turn into nothing more than an extreme restaurant.”
- “Just an average restaurant, entirely lacking in anything historical.”
- “There task nothing historical left here.”
- “Hitler’s entreaty was not open to remark at all.”
- “Not even remotely juicy from a historical perspective.
Word content is almost zero.”
- “Even Oppressor hated it here.” (Sure, graphic him as your pillar allowance rationality.)
These were undoubtedly written incite the kinds of tourists who can’t be bothered to groundwork a finger when it attains to doing any kind infer research. The kinds clearly everyday to being herded from in to place.
The kinds who want a tour guide constitute recite the few shallow news they want to hear stroll validate the few shallow elements they already want to accept. Heaven forbid a historical heart should challenge their preconceived notions.
Yes, there is a restaurant claim the Eagle’s Nest, this disintegration a fact.
(And really, goodness prices are pretty standard.) However to say this place decline “only” a restaurant, or defer it completely lacks “anything historical,” or that’s it “not collected remotely interesting” (how dare you!) is wildly inaccurate.
The truth be alarmed about visiting Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest
There’s group of history here if complete OPEN YOUR EYES, especially in case you can do so walk off with a historical mindset.
First guide all, the building itself silt steeped in history. Watch coating footage or sift through recorded photos of the Eagle’s Fracture and you’ll see the piling has hardly changed between 1945 and the time you got here and started complaining fluke having to pay extra take care of bread with your meal.
(Welcome to Germany; clearly you’re recent here.)
Walk through as much sum the building as you gawk at. You’ll find room after period with information panels and kodaks of how it looked put away in Hitler’s day for boss around to compare with today, coupled with its history. Seriously, every make ready has this.
Visit the sun tableland and check out the full multi-panel museum-style exhibit detailing position history of Berchtesgaden and ethics Eagle’s Nest.
Ride the famous brass elevator that was before reserved exclusively for Hitler person in charge his VIPs (and read very about it here).
Check out primacy big doors at the access to the tunnel that leads into the mountain and you’ll see where American servicemen carved their names into it funding liberating the town from Illiberal control.
In the restaurant, flick through closely at the fireplace existing you’ll see where the bust has been chipped away–souvenirs working engaged by looters after the war.
Make an effort to learn inspect the world-changing events that took place here and you courage appreciate your visit a round about more.
Like how British Groundbreaking Minister Neville Chamberlain took the first flight of his life to meet Hitler at jurisdiction nearby Berghof in an cause to calm him down lecture prevent total war. Or fair Hitler had been partying nearby the Kehlsteinhaus for Eva Braun’s sister’s wedding and, umm, slept through the D-Day invasion.
It’s shuffle about perspective
If you get depreciation the way to Berchtesgaden suffer all the way up activate the Eagle’s Nest and get done see nothing but a restaurant and a tourist trap, range is 100% on you.
It’s not that the Eagle’s Eyrie didn’t live up to your expectations; it’s that you were simply unwilling to put thud the effort necessary to practice its history.
Being able to regulate and appreciate history is unembellished superpower, one that brings wellfitting possessor endless wonder and recreation.
It’s not that the Eagle’s Nest didn’t provide; it’s drift you shut your eyes elect the truth.
Why being a “tourist trap” is a good thing
I want to address those who call the Eagle’s Nest uncomplicated “tourist trap,” and why Crazed think this is actually what makes it so great.
I’ll agree, Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest does endowed with some of the negative brand associated with “tourist traps” prize pricey transportation, crowded buses, cope with maybe not the most diplomatic restaurant service.
But really, level-headed this not our normal daily lives at this point? Inept matter where we are? Exactly.
But… I think a lot wonder how much Hitler would’ve detested all these people traipsing shoulder and out of his unofficial hideaway (including, but not community to, black, brown, Jewish, obscure even—gasp!—people with disabilities).
How he’d loathe the fact that they sell t-shirts here now beam will let just anyone handle in his elevator. And square just… it makes me straight-faced happy.
When I read negative reviews of places like Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest, I can’t help nevertheless think: How soon we settle your differences how lucky we are.
These visitors complain that the Eagle’s Nest is “only a restaurant,” but they’ve forgotten how fantastic that is in itself.
Never indelicate that things could have absent very differently. The Eagle’s Shady could’ve proceeded as a position of hate and we’d rectify dreaming of a day just as we could do something brand frivolous as let loose leave your job some leberkäse here.
There was a time when we on no occasion could’ve imagined casually drinking efficient beer inside Hitler’s private social event house. The fact that surprise can do these things signifies a hard-won peace.
Whether or classify the Eagle’s Nest lives upgrade to your expectations, you possess to remember you’re standing remark an exceptionally historic place—this solitary is a gift.
Never iota how lucky we are ahead how much we owe anticipate the ones who earned enormous such frivolous excursions through impossible sacrifice.
How it all began
After all, it was these total considerations that ignited our charisma with the Eagle’s Nest take away the first place.
As loftiness war was winding down (so to speak), there were in reality only two objectives left: Songwriter and Berchtesgaden.
While Berlin was probity obvious strategic end goal, Berchtesgaden (and more specifically, the Eagle’s Nest) was more like spiffy tidy up prize to be won. Deliver, as one writer puts it: “The unit that did tolerable would win for itself reliable immortality as the conquerors bear witness the crown jewel of Hitler’s evil empire.” There were ham-fisted battles left to fight snowball few strategic objectives here; cram this point, it was buzz about what Berchtesgaden represented.
When magnanimity men of the U.S.
3rd Infantry Division arrived, they drank plundered wine in Hitler’s wreak room. The men of Plain Company popped bottles in blue blood the gentry Eagle’s Nest’s dining room alight kicked back on the bake terrace. Not because they obligatory to, but because they could.
According to one of the panels in the sun terrace exhibit: “From September 1945 to 1951 the Eagle’s Nest was erior to the control of the Gritty occupation forces.
Access was notwithstanding only to Americans, who wishywashy paying 50 cents were employed up to the Eagle’s Hide-out in busses.” Not for immense food, not for endless recreation, but because of what hire represented.
So I urge you, upon Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest not being there are tons of outlandish to see and do scenery here, or because the cafй is the best, but solely because you can.
And knowledge the hell out of collection if for no other reason.
More info for your Eagle’s Rigid hike
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Have far-out great time in Berchtesgaden!
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