Obersalzberg
In the 1920s, following an early release from prison for his attempted coup d’état in Munich, Adolf Hitler settled in Obersalzberg outside Berchtesgaden. After he eventually came to power in 1933, the area became a second seat of government. His house, the Berghof, was enlarged and other senior party leaders acquired properties in the area. Locals, including party faithful, were forced off their land.
Virtually all the buildings were destroyed by the Allies during or shortly after the war. However, a Documentation Center Obersalzberg, located at Salzbergstraße 41 in Berchtesgaden, opened in 1999 to explain the role of the area in the Nazi regime. Unfortunately, virtually all the information is in German only, although the photos and videos are graphic and shocking. English audio guides are available. Very interesting is the bunker complex that was constructed to protect the leadership during air raids. A vast network of tunnels gave access to the outlying properties.
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