Intrepid White's Travel Adventures: 07/04/19

SALZBURG-BERCHTESGADEN JUNE 28-30

Berchtesgaden Germany and Salzburg Austria are incredibly breathtaking in their natural beauty and harrowing in their history of the Third Reich. From 1936 this whole area became the 'second seat of government' for the Nazi Party with 42 land holders being bought out or compulsorily acquired on the mountain out of Berchtesgaden leading up to Kehlstein, the rocky outcrop where the 36 million Deutschmark (100 mil. Euro today) Kehlsteinhaus (Eagles Nest) was constructed for Hitler's personel use.

The area in between Kehlstein and Berchtesgaden on the mountain side hosted the private homes of Hitler, being the Berghof and offsiders Goebbels, Hess and Bormann all within close proximity. A garrison was established to house the 2000 SS troops responsible for security which, by the early 1940's, was enhanced with an elaborate and extensive tunnel and bunker system . Salzburg became a Nazi Party village which at that time was a magical era for the locals of which there would still be those who fondly reminisce.

It was the 'Berghof' where Hitler spent a big part of his time leading up to and during the earlier stages of the war and where many of the military and political decisions including the 'final solution' were nutted out. The Berghof was bombed by the RAF in the latter stages of the war, along with most of the mountain, and was completely destroyed by explosives after the war to prevent it becoming a shrine. Eagles Nest was targeted but missed during these raids. Hitler spent comparatively little time at 'Kehlsteinhandaus', which was constructed remarkably in 13 months with specialist workers from across Europe housed in work camps but paid relatively good money for the 12hr shifts 24/7 all season extraordinarily arduous and hazardous project. In fact Hitler visited here only 14 times, all before 1940, with mistress Eva Braun being the more regular and long term resident. It was the limited time Hitler spent here and none after 1940 that saved Eagles Nest from the same fate as the Berghof. Strict conditions apply of which one being no memorabilia, except for the marble fire place which was a gift from Mussolini, and strict financial control over the commercial enterprise of the mountain top cafe which is a boom.

The Salzburg area has become a highly popular tourist destination, not only for the historical significance, but just as equally if not more so for winter sports and it's natural beauty all year around.

The Journey from Berlin