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Historic site · Berchtesgaden, Baviera
Kehlsteinhaus
Built by the Nazi Party in 1937 and 1938, at 1,834 meters above Berchtesgaden. Today it is a restaurant with an exhibition about its history. It can only be reached by a special bus and an elevator during the summer season.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Kehlsteinhaus
The Kehlsteinhaus was built between 1937 and 1938 by the Nazi Party, near the summit of the Kehlstein, at 1,834 meters. It was part of the restricted Obersalzberg area, where Hitler's house was located, and was used to receive diplomats and for the regime's leadership parties. Hitler visited the place only a few times. The name Ninho da Águia comes from a French ambassador who was received there in 1938.
The construction of the road and the elevator shaft cost the lives of several workers. After the war, the building passed to the state of Bavaria and, since 1952, has operated as a mountain restaurant. It is protected as a site connected to those responsible for the regime's crimes, and an exhibition by the Institute of Contemporary History, on the terrace, tells that story.
The ascent is part of the visit. A 6.5 km road, with five tunnels and a single tight curve, overcomes about 800 meters of elevation and is closed to regular cars: only the special buses that depart from the Obersalzberg run it, taking around 15 minutes. At the top, a tunnel in the rock leads to an elevator that rises the last 124 meters inside the mountain.
From the terrace, the view reaches the Berchtesgaden Alps, the Königssee and the Salzburg region. Treat the site as a place of remembrance: the landscape does not erase what was decided on this mountain.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 2 to 3 hours from the bus stop at the Obersalzberg, including the ascent, the elevator, the exhibition and the terrace.
Best time
The season usually runs from mid-May until the end of October or early November; in winter the road closes because of snow. Even in summer, snow or rockfalls can suspend the buses. Early morning departures and Sundays usually have fewer visitors.
How to get there
From Berchtesgaden Hbf station, take the regional bus to the Obersalzberg stop, next to the Dokumentation Obersalzberg. There the Kehlsteinhaus special bus departs. Those driving park at the Obersalzberg in a paid car park.
Tip
Buy the special bus ticket online and arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled time. The ticket usually includes entry to the Dokumentation Obersalzberg; confirm when purchasing. Show respect: this is not a place for posed photos.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Kehlsteinhaus
When does the Kehlsteinhaus open?
Only in the summer season, which usually runs from mid-May to late October or early November. The road closes in winter and may close in bad weather even in summer. Check before you go.
Can you drive up?
No. The road is closed to cars, bicycles and pedestrians; only special buses from Obersalzberg are allowed. There are also mountain trails that reach the summit by a different route.
Do I need to buy the bus in advance?
It is recommended. Seats are limited, and buying online avoids waiting. Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled time.
What is there to see up there?
The building, an exhibition about the history of the site and the Obersalzberg, the restaurant and the terrace with views of the Alps.