• Obersalzberg Documentation
The »Obersalzberg Documentation« presents the history of National Socialism and the history of the »Berghof« closely linked to it. Between 1933 and 1945, Adolf Hitler extended his holiday home on the Obersalzberg by several buildings and used the »Berghof« as a second seat of government in addition to Berlin.
Image: Berchtesgaden, between 1933 and 1945, Entrance to the »Berghof«, Adolf Hitler's house to the right, Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-1999-0412-502, Heinrich Hoffmann
Berchtesgaden, between 1933 and 1945, Entrance to the »Berghof«, Adolf Hitler's house to the right, Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-1999-0412-502, Heinrich Hoffmann

Image: Berchtesgaden, 2012, External view of the Obersalzberg Documentation, Institut für Zeitgeschichte / Foto: wunschkind medienproduktion KG
Berchtesgaden, 2012, External view of the Obersalzberg Documentation, Institut für Zeitgeschichte / Foto: wunschkind medienproduktion KG
Hitler first visited the Obersalzberg, a foothill of the Kehlstein in the Berchtesgaden Alps, in 1923. He frequently returned to Obersalzberg and from 1928 on, rented the Wachenfeld house, which he went on to purchase in 1933. In the following years, the country house was extended into the »Berghof« - here Hitler could pursue governmental issues and receive guests of state. Further National Socialist politicians and functionaries moved to Obersalzberg: Hermann Göring, Albert Speer and Martin Bormann. From 1937 on, the »Berghof« became an official seat of government when the »Reich chancellery Berchtesgaden office« was set up. Additional buildings were erected, among them SS barracks and later an underground bunker complex. The Obersalzberg was declared a »Führersperrgebiet« (Führer's restricted area) and was no longer accessible to the public. The National Socialist leadership made important decisions at the »Berghof«: for example, on August 22, 1939, Hitler informed Wehrmacht generals about the impending war against Poland at the site. On April 25, 1945, British bombers destroyed the premises.
Image: Berchtesgaden, between 1933 and 1945, Entrance to the »Berghof«, Adolf Hitler's house to the right, Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-1999-0412-502, Heinrich Hoffmann
Berchtesgaden, between 1933 and 1945, Entrance to the »Berghof«, Adolf Hitler's house to the right, Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-1999-0412-502, Heinrich Hoffmann

Image: Berchtesgaden, 2012, External view of the Obersalzberg Documentation, Institut für Zeitgeschichte / Foto: wunschkind medienproduktion KG
Berchtesgaden, 2012, External view of the Obersalzberg Documentation, Institut für Zeitgeschichte / Foto: wunschkind medienproduktion KG
Obersalzberg was a site on which National Socialist crimes were planned and decided upon, although it was not a site for the execution of those crimes. It was also a place at which Hitler was portrayed as a private citizen for propaganda purposes.
Image: Berchtesgaden, 1938, Adolf Hitler in talk with architect Albert Speer, Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-2004-0312-500, Heinrich Hoffman
Berchtesgaden, 1938, Adolf Hitler in talk with architect Albert Speer, Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-2004-0312-500, Heinrich Hoffman

Image: Berchtesgaden, 2012, View of the permanent exhibition, Institut für Zeitgeschichte / Foto: wunschkind medienproduktion KG
Berchtesgaden, 2012, View of the permanent exhibition, Institut für Zeitgeschichte / Foto: wunschkind medienproduktion KG
After US troops had taken the Obersalzberg, the area was declared a restricted zone. In 1949, the Allies handed over Obersalzberg to the Free State of Bavaria. In 1952, the ruins of the »Berghof« and neighbouring buildings were blown up in order to prevent the site from becoming a magnet for admirers of National Socialism. The Kehlsteinhaus (also known as the Eagle's Nest) on the peak of the Kehlstein and the former Hotel Platterhof continued to be used: The Kehlsteinhaus was leased out in 1952 and until today houses a restaurant. Between 1953 and 1996, the US Army used the former Hotel Platterhof as an »Armed Forces Recreation Center« for soldiers and their families. In 1996, the Americans handed the Obersalzberg premises over to the Free State of Bavaria for its own use. In 1999, the Institute of Contemporary History Munich-Berlin opened the »Obersalzberg Documentation«.
Image: Berchtesgaden, 2012, External view of the Obersalzberg Documentation, Institut für Zeitgeschichte / Foto: wunschkind medienproduktion KG
Berchtesgaden, 2012, External view of the Obersalzberg Documentation, Institut für Zeitgeschichte / Foto: wunschkind medienproduktion KG

Image: Berchtesgaden, 2012, Bunker at the Obersalzberg Documentation, Institut für Zeitgeschichte / Foto: wunschkind medienproduktion KG
Berchtesgaden, 2012, Bunker at the Obersalzberg Documentation, Institut für Zeitgeschichte / Foto: wunschkind medienproduktion KG
Name
Dokumentation Obersalzberg
Address
Salzbergstraße 41
83471 Berchtesgaden
Phone
+49 (0)8652 947 960
Fax
+49 (0)8652 947 969
Web
http://www.obersalzberg.de/
E-Mail
info@obersalzberg.de
Open
November to March: Tuesday to Sunday 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
April to October: Monday to Sunday 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Closed on January 1, November 1 and on December 24, 25 and 31.
Possibilities
Permanent exhibition, temporary exhibitions, guided tours, workshops for students and soldiers, advanced education for teachers, winter exhibitions, miscellaneous events such as panel discussions