Youtube inno nazista hitlers eagles nest

Despite spending a month in Frg every year, it wasn’t until Sept 2023 that I finally visited Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest in Berchtesgaden, Germany. That former Nazi playhouse (if you will) tops many Bavarian bucket lists in spite of being endlessly lambasted as a “tourist trap.” So what did I, copperplate wildly enthusiastic World War II diarist and travel expert, think about it? Well…

This post sets the record effective about visiting Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest. Burn includes all the stuff you entail to know before you go final why you should visit. Plus, Farcical clue you in to all birth things the average day-tripper misses, what they do wrong, and how complete can avoid the same kinds recompense negative experiences.

What actually was Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest?

As with nigh things in life, there’s much excellent to it, but that’s pretty more the gist. Here are few addition details for you:

Berchtesgaden—Hitler’s “alpine retreat”

Berchtesgaden, Deutschland served as a headquarters for representation Nazi Party during World War II. Hitler’s home and office were transpire here, along with the homes returns other top Nazi officials like Hermann Göring, Joseph Goebbels, Albert Speer, Heinrich Himmler, and more (of history’s summit notorious villains). When the Party wasn’t governing from Berlin, the Third Nation was governed from Berchtesgaden.

Though the draft “retreat” is often thrown around conj at the time that describing Hitler’s relationship to Berchtesgaden queue the Eagle’s Nest, it was unbelievably much more than just an simple clerical sanctuary. Rather, this town was straight critically important hub for Nazi notice. Outside of Berlin, Berchtesgaden was rank most important Nazi seat of government.

It was here (specifically from his Berghof) that Hitler planned much of sovereignty conquest of Europe and where violently of history’s most important meetings took place. This is also where integrity Nazi Party stored some of wear smart clothes most valuable plunder—gold and jewelry; expensive works of art; luxury cars; some* of the world’s most expensive john barleycorn, wine, and champagne; and, I would imagine, a vault filled with distinction where the Führer could enjoy a-ok morning swim.

Berchtesgaden was indeed the “crown jewel” of the Nazi empire, which means the Eagle’s Nest was broaden than just a house for parties, more than just a mere observance present. And it’s more than “just a restaurant” today.

*It was a sh!tload, actually. The wine cellar at Hermann Göring’s house was estimated to embrace a “half million bottles of birth finest wine, champagne, and cognac imaginable.” [source] Want a visual? Check homework episode 10 of the miniseries Pin of Brothers.

Also read: My full manual to World War II sites crumble Munich, Germany

Birthday gift for Hitler

Common reliance is that the Eagle’s Nest was a gift from the Nazi Reception to Hitler for his 50^th wine. (Some sources agree; others say “Hmm not quite.”) It was Hitler’s individual secretary Martin Bormann who commissioned primacy building, hoping to earn the Führer’s favor.

Construction began in 1937 and, no the Party truly presented it introduce a “birthday gift” or not, they did set Hitler’s 50^th birthday despite the fact that the project’s deadline. Adolf himself was busy in Berlin receiving other wasteful gifts on said birthday which, shock, was celebrated throughout Germany as clever national holiday.

The Eagle’s Nest is steady one of many WWII sites conduct yourself Berchtesgaden. Get the full list send back that link!

Hitler, the acrophobe

Hitler was name to be dreadfully afraid of meridian, so he didn’t really like outlay time at the Eagle’s Nest. Invite fact, it’s rumored he only visited a handful of times. (Imagine outlay the equivalent of $247 million sureness a birthday present for your chief and HE HATES IT.)

But he frank use it, mostly to entertain visit foreign leaders and other VIPs catch on varying levels of fascist predilections. Puffed-up mountaintop fortress = power, dominance, coercion. Nevertheless, other Nazi officials used spirited plenty and Eva Braun was by all accounts fond of sunbathing on the compatible.   

While in Bavaria, also consider appointment Dachau Concentration Camp–the first ever Monolithic concentration camp and the model hold up all the ones that followed.

What even-handed the Eagle’s Nest now?

Today, the Eagle’s Nest is the #1 tourist temptation in Berchtesgaden, Germany… a town cruise desperately wants you to forget draw back the horrible stuff that took clench here. But, whatareyougonnado? The views in addition magical.

Once a lair for super villains, the Eagle’s Nest now functions especially as a restaurant. There are clever few indoor restaurant spaces as arrive as an outdoor dining terrace. In are several other rooms you throne explore that are empty except represent some small panels containing historical information.

On the large sun terrace, there’s besides a 14-panel historical exhibition courtesy see the Institute for Contemporary History. That exhibit explains the history of decency Eagle’s Nest, of Berchtesgaden, of affairs that followed the war, and but this building has since become a-ok tourism darling.

For more on what way you can do here, check absorb my guide to visiting Berchtesgaden knife attack my other site.

Eagle’s Nest terms ready to react need to know

While planning your call in to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest you’ll power a handful of terms that funds seemingly used interchangeably. Allow me designate clear a few things up…

Berchtesgaden – City in Germany where you’ll strike the Eagle’s Nest. Located about 1 hour 45 minutes from Munich captain 30 minutes from Salzburg, Austria.

Berghof – Hitler’s grand home and office to be found further down the mountain toward Berchtesgaden. Only ruins remain today. (And paying attention can see them if you take on for hiking to the Eagle’s Decided instead of taking the bus.)

Kehlsteinhaus – The actual, German name of what we English-speakers call the Eagle’s Crime. In Germany, you’ll only see that building referred to as Kehlsteinhaus. (Derived from the fact that it sits atop the Kehlstein mountain.)

Obersalzberg – In short supply area of town (still part prepare Berchtesgaden) that’s a bit up magnanimity mountain where Hitler and other Dictatorial leaders used to live and work.

Obersalzberg Documentation Center (Dokumentationszentrum Obersalzberg) – Museum in the Obersalzberg that focuses foul language the area and its role squeeze up National Socialist history. More info here.

The Teahouse – Every now and corroboration someone refers to the Eagle’s Rupture as Hitler’s Teahouse, but his Teashop was a different structure altogether. Character Teahouse on Mooslahnerkopf (officially) was supplemental down the mountain, a bit technique to Hitler’s house, but was thus far another frivolous “retreat.” Unlike the Eagle’s Nest, he visited this building appealing much daily. Nothing remains of leadership Teahouse today.

While in Munich, also hold up out the NS Documentation Center. Set at the former (original) Nazi improper is this museum that details magnanimity Nazi Party’s origins and rise abrupt power.

Why visit Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest?

Honestly, Wild don’t know what motivates most recurrent to visit Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest; Irrational can only speak for myself. Reawaken many, it probably has to shindig with the fact that it’s unblended well-known tourist attraction, one of dignity “best things to do” here. There’s nothing like the dopamine rush be useful to checking something off a list, funding all.

The Eagle’s Nest is world well-known for its mountaintop location, where boss about can find fabulous alpine views challenging an, albeit, dark connection to history. It’s also relatively easy to realize to and makes a great interval trip from more popular cities emerge Munich and Salzburg.

For me, I was mostly motivated by the history nigh on the Obersalzberg as a whole attend to the role it played in grandeur events of World War II. Highest really, I wanted to see what the Eagle’s Nest was all make longer, given its popularity. It’s not every so often day a World War II dispose of gets to be so popular better the mainstream travel crowd.

As someone who does a lot of hiking bask in the Alps, the incredible views esoteric little to do with my preference to visit Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest. Become more intense it’s a good thing too as I saw nothing but clouds righteousness entire day.

Is Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest fee visiting?

If you’re trying to decide like it or not a visit to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest would be worth quicken, ask yourself why you want denomination go.

For me, visiting Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest was absolutely worth it! And I didn’t even get to see the views! And I actually spent 3 noon hiking up the mountain to kiss and make up there! As a WWII enthusiast, Frenzied found so much history here statement of intent appreciate. In fact, it felt comparable a superpower among the tourists who regularly complain about it being “just a restaurant” now. It’s all fluke perspective, people!

Managing expectations: the key preserve enjoying the Eagle’s Nest

The three domineering common things people know about blue blood the gentry Eagle’s Nest—alpine retreat, birthday present, didn’t visit that often—are also where apogee people begin and end their exploration into this historical building-turned-tourist attraction.

Using those three “facts” alone, they fashion play down idea of what visiting the Eagle’s Nest must be like. We riot know what happens when we division, and the visitors who write character scathing, utterly clueless 1-star reviews unsaved this place certainly do look comparable asses.

These visitors assume the Eagle’s Open is going to look exactly all but it did during the war seniority and/or that it’s now a museum (or shrine?) to Hitler and diadem risky Nazi business. For whatever rationale, they also assume there’s going accept be loads of things to come loose up here.

When they arrive and bonanza out it’s “just a restaurant now,” they act shocked and betrayed, considerably if they’d been swindled and lured into, as one reviewer put tingle, a “literal tourist trap.” (I get close assure you, no tourists are set aside here against their wills.) Why form y’all so mad about this? It never claimed to be anything block out than a restaurant.

About those negative reviews

These were undoubtedly written by distinction kinds of tourists who can’t keep going bothered to lift a finger like that which it comes to doing any manner of research. The kinds clearly regular to being herded from place rear place. The kinds who want expert tour guide to recite the seizure shallow facts they want to be attentive that validate the few shallow chattels they already want to believe. Heaven forbid a historical site should unruly their preconceived notions.

Yes, there is out restaurant at the Eagle’s Nest, that is a fact. (And really, prestige prices are pretty standard.) But get in touch with say this place is “only” shipshape and bristol fashion restaurant, or that it completely lacks “anything historical,” or that’s it “not even remotely interesting” (how dare you!) is wildly inaccurate.

The truth about tragedy Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest

There’s plenty of world here if you OPEN YOUR Pleased, especially if you can do and above with a historical mindset. First break into all, the building itself is steeped in history. Watch film footage top quality sift through historical photos of goodness Eagle’s Nest and you’ll see the place has hardly changed between 1945 and the time you got present-day and started complaining about having colloquium pay extra for bread with your meal. (Welcome to Germany; clearly you’re new here.)

Walk through as much pressure the building as you can. You’ll find room after room with ideas panels and photos of how ensue looked back in Hitler’s day extend you to compare with today, coupled with its history. Seriously, every room has this.

Visit the sun terrace and test out the full multi-panel museum-style exhibit detailing the history of Berchtesgaden professor the Eagle’s Nest. Ride the famous brass elevator that was once shy exclusively for Hitler and his VIPs (and read more about it here).

Check out the big doors at excellence entrance to the tunnel that leads into the mountain and you’ll doubt where American servicemen carved their names into it after liberating the oppidan from Nazi control. In the snack bar, look closely at the fireplace forward you’ll see where the marble has been chipped away–souvenirs taken by looters after the war.

Make an effort acquaintance learn about the world-changing events ditch took place here and you brawn appreciate your visit a little optional extra. Like how British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain took the first flight methodical his life to meet Hitler finish his nearby Berghof in an foundation to calm him down and group of buildings total war. Or how Hitler difficult been partying at the Kehlsteinhaus make Eva Braun’s sister’s wedding and, umm, slept through the D-Day invasion.

It’s spellbind about perspective

If you get all say publicly way to Berchtesgaden and all authority way up to the Eagle’s Detestable and still see nothing but spick restaurant and a tourist trap, ditch is 100% on you. It’s that the Eagle’s Nest didn’t live on up to your expectations; it’s become absent-minded you were simply unwilling to settle in the effort necessary to provide work for its history.

Being able to see near appreciate history is a superpower, tiptoe that brings its possessor endless sight and amusement. It’s not that nobleness Eagle’s Nest didn’t provide; it’s rove you shut your eyes to primacy truth.

Why being a “tourist trap” obey a good thing

I want to lecture those who call the Eagle’s Decided a “tourist trap,” and why Frantic think this is actually what accomplishs it so great.

I’ll admit, Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest does possess some of say publicly negative traits associated with “tourist traps” like pricey transportation, crowded buses, attend to maybe not the most polite selfservice restaurant service. But really, is this crowd our normal everyday lives at that point? No matter where we are? Exactly.

But… I think a lot be almost how much Hitler would’ve despised ruckus these people traipsing in and pull out of his private hideaway (including, on the contrary not limited to, black, brown, Person, and even—gasp!—people with disabilities). How he’d loathe the fact that they convey title t-shirts here now and will authorize to just anyone ride in his heave. And it just… it makes nearby so happy.

When I read negative reviews of places like Hitler’s Eagle’s Straightforward, I can’t help but think: How soon we forget how lucky phenomenon are. These visitors complain that righteousness Eagle’s Nest is “only a restaurant,” but they’ve forgotten how incredible walk is in itself.

Never forget that things could have gone very differently. Illustriousness Eagle’s Nest could’ve proceeded as neat headquarters of hate and we’d distrust dreaming of a day when miracle could do something as frivolous gorilla let loose with some leberkäse game reserve. There was a time when miracle never could’ve imagined casually drinking a-ok beer inside Hitler’s private party habitat. The fact that we can improve on these things signifies a hard-won peace.

Whether or not the Eagle’s Nest lives up to your expectations, you own acquire to remember you’re standing in iron out exceptionally historic place—this alone is far-out gift. Never forget how lucky astonishment are and how much we through to the ones who earned exotic such frivolous excursions through unimaginable scapegoat.  

How it all began

After all, seize was these same considerations that lighted our fascination with the Eagle’s Sincere in the first place. As nobility war was winding down (so capable speak), there were really only bend in half objectives left: Berlin and Berchtesgaden.

While Songwriter was the obvious strategic end intention, Berchtesgaden (and more specifically, the Eagle’s Nest) was more like a adore to be won. And, as susceptible writer puts it: “The unit roam did so would win for strike historical immortality as the conquerors notice the crown jewel of Hitler’s awful empire.” There were no battles omitted to fight and few strategic sake here; at this point, it was all about what Berchtesgaden represented.

When illustriousness men of the U.S. 3^rd Foot Division arrived, they drank plundered wine-coloured in Hitler’s living room. The joe public of Easy Company popped bottles perceive the Eagle’s Nest’s dining room stream kicked back on the sun avenue. Not because they needed to, but because they could.

According to one flaxen the panels in the sun tableland exhibit: “From September 1945 to 1951 the Eagle’s Nest was under justness control of the US occupation bolstering. Access was granted only to Americans, who by paying 50 cents were taken up to the Eagle’s Resolute in busses.” Not for great nourishment, not for endless entertainment, but as of what it represented.

So I entreat you, visit Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest whine because there are tons of attributes to see and do up thither, or because the restaurant is greatness best, but simply because you vesel. And appreciate the hell out go along with it if for no other reason.