Eagles Nest Berchtesgaden Germany
Kehlsteinhaus (1,834m / 6,017ft) - Its construction ordered by Martin Bormann, the so-called Eagle's Nest teahouse was offered to Adolf Hitler on the occasion of his 50th birthday with the aim of using it for representation purposes for official guests. The challenging construction of the Eagle's Nest was completed in some 13 months' time including the road, Germany's highest.
The road from Obersalzberg leading up to the Eagle's Nest upper bus parking area is a unique feat of engineering seen nowhere else in the world. The great difference in elevation is reached with only one hairpin bend, thereby traversing the steep northwest face of the Kehlstein Mountain twice.
n 1952 the road was closed to the public and the special mountain buses were put into operation for the transportation of guests to this unique destination. From the Eagle's Nest upper parking area, a hand blasted tunnel takes visitors 124 meters (406ft) through the mountainside to an ornate elevator lined with shiny brass. In just 41 seconds visitors are transported another 124 meters up through the mountain and into the building itself.
Hitler himself seldom used the Eagle's Nest, finding the excursion up to the top too unnerving due to his fear of heights. After the War, thanks to Mr. Jacob, the local governor at the time, the Eagle’s Nest was spared being blown up.
In 1960 the Bavarian State created a trust fund through which the Eagle's Nest is administrated and thanks to which the proceeds are used for charitable purposes. Today the Eagle’s Nest is open to the public and can be seen in its original form. Administrated by the Berchtesgaden tourist board, it is leased out as a mountain top restaurant.
