The Berghof: Hitler’s home and HQS

On the driving tour of Hitler’s former alpine compound, we stop to visit the historically significant site of Hitler’s former home (now a ruin). Known as the “Berghof” the sprawling structure, once famed for its extensive terrace, is located on a promontory on the flank of the Obersalzberg mountain far below the more-famed “Eagle’s Nest.” Hitler’s 30-room Berghof estate became the venue for national and international political decision-making, a place visited by foreign heads of state and frequented by Nazi leaders, as well as by members of European high society who were often hosted by the “lady of the house”, Eva Braun.

As Hitler spent well over one-fourth of his twelve years in power at his Berghof, the National Socialist Party’s effective propaganda apparatus made use of their Führer’s move to the Obersalzberg mountain to present him as a “country gentleman” whose chosen home was Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps.

On the one hand, the repeated focus on the dictator’s presence on the mountain lent him the German roots that he did not possess, on the other, it created an image of the Nazi leader as a man living close to the common people in an idyllic alpine countryside. Hitler and his home on the Obersalzberg provided a subsequent mass-merchandizing of the politician as an allegedly friendly and hospitable man who made time to receive and welcome hordes of German admirers and followers.

Photos of these large pilgrimage-like events, as well as postcards and picture-books of Hitler relaxing with, and entertaining, his associates such as Goebbels, Göring, Speer and Bormann, were widely distributed in an effort to create a Hitler myth. This “superstar” spotlighting was extraordinarily successful in contributing to Hitler’s popularity both before and after his rise to power. With the additional use of photographs, our narrative brings to light the historic importance of the Berghof site and the dark designs made there on a political and military level as well.
board a specially equipped mountain bus for a breathtaking drive up the 6.5 km (4 mile) road with its 27% incline to a high mountain parking lot, just below the Eagle’s Nest. The original brass-lined elevator will then transport you up through the heart of Kehlstein

Further information

If you want a deep dive in all aspects of Hitler and the “Third Reich” we highly recommend the book → Exposing the Reich by our co-founder David Harper.