Berchtesgaden, this small town in southern Germany just 20 km from Salzburg, offers a spectacular view of snowy mountain peaks of Alps. You can also go boating on one of Germany's deepest and clearest lake, in complete harmony with nature. It's also worth taking a historical time-travel journey through one of the darkest chapters in European history, which the Berchtesgaden region was part of.
But first, let's get to know the landscape and the iconic buildings. The domes of the pilgrimage church of St. Bartholomew, on the shores of Lake Königssee, accessible only by ferry, contrast sharply with the mountains of the Alpine landscape:
The other iconic church is the St Sebastian Parish Church built in 1512:
The Berchtesgaden National Park is a hiker's paradise, with the stunning mountain view, deep valleys and tinkling streams The park has over 260 km of hiking trails and mountain paths. From easy walkings to challenging mountain hikes, you can choose from lot of hiking trails but even non-hikers will certainly enjoy an easy hike in this beautiful park.
You should also visit the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine, where white gold has been mined continuously since 1517. There is also a guided tour of the mine, which includes a ride in a small train and a boat trip on the underground salt lake.
Historically, Berchtesgaden had already attracted the attention of Adolf Hitler in the 1920s, who regularly came here on holiday and then bought a house in Obersalzberg, above the town of Berchtesgaden, where he began renovations. Subsequently, several leaders of the Third Reich bought land here and began to take possession of the land in the Obersalzberg. In 1945, the Allies finally launched a devastating air raid on the Berchtesgaden area, than the town surrendered.
After the war, Berchtesgaden became a military zone, with most of buildings used by the US Army. The houses of former Nazi leaders were demolished, including Hitler's chalet, the Berghof, where he met British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in mid-September 1938 to discuss his demands against Czechoslovakia for the first time. The Hotel Pletterhof, where Nazi high commanders stayed during the war, was rebuilt and renamed the General Walker Hotel, and finally demolished in 2001.
Only the Kehlstenhaus, also known as the "Eagle's Nest", which stood at an altitude of 1,834 metres above sea level, remains. It was a quiet retreat for Hitler close to the Berghof residence. The huge, robust stone building can still be visited today, it is a restaurant and tourist attraction.
Kehlsteinhaus
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