OBERSALZBERG 1933-1945

Presents the important sites of Nazi history in Obersalzberg * Brings the past to life in an easy-to-use guide * Fully illustrated with colour photographs and clear maps Obersalzberg, near Berchtesgaden in Bavaria, Germany, was made famous by Adolf Hitler when he made it the location of his mountain retreat. As far back as the 19th Century, Germans started coming to Obersalzberg for holidays. Hitler first visited Obersalzberg in 1923 and was so fond of the area that in 1928 he rented Haus Wachenfeld (Berghof). In 1933 he bought the Berghof estate and started to rebuild and expand it. It did not take long before other Nazi leaders, such as Herman Göring and Martin Bormann, followed him. By 1935–36 all the original residents of Obersalzberg were either bought out or pushed out. During the Second World War the area was heavily expanded with military installations for security and support staff, hotels, underground bunkers and air raid shelters. Hitler's last known visit was in July 1944. The RAF bombed the area on 25 April, 1945 and much of Obersalzberg was severely damaged. Maik Kopleck’s Past Finder takes you to the well-known and less well-known sites of Nazi history. It uncovers the secrets of Obersalzberg that the Bavarian government tried to bury. Several maps and a clear graphic design will help you put together your own sightseeing tour. Sites include: Hitler’s Berghof, in which can be seen the various buildings designed by Hitler as well as the maps and his big Globe. On it, it is said that Hitler first plotted the invasion of Russia. The InterContinental Resort Berchtesgaden is a 5 star hotel built on top of the site of Göring’s old residence. There is also a World War II museum situated on the mountainside.