Eagle’s Nest fire: Hitler’s former Alpine retreat burns in Bavaria

On Friday at 21:52 Central European Summer Time, rescuers arrived at the Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus), Hitler’s former mountain retreat, and found a large fire. Firefighters are struggling to bring it under control because of the site’s remote location at an elevation of 1,834 meters above sea level.

According to police, the building was probably empty when the fire started, and authorities do not currently believe anyone was hurt. The investigation is ongoing.

History of the building

The building was completed in 1938 under the Nazi regime. It stood in a restricted zone on the Obersalzberg, where the Nazi leadership had residences and government infrastructure. It was originally meant as a showpiece venue for political meetings away from the public eye. Hitler received diplomats and foreign guests there, but Nazi officials more often used it for leisure and private celebrations. Hitler also visited with his companion Eva Braun.

Since 1952, the Kehlsteinhaus has operated as a mountain restaurant, and it also houses an exhibition on the building’s history. According to the Bergerlebnis Berchtesgaden website, the restaurant was due to stay open to visitors until Nov. 8 this year.

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Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz