The desire to dominate is often reflected in real estate. Think of cathedrals, basilicas, churches built high above valleys, huge castles, the manors of British lords and the luxurious properties of the rich and famous.
Adolf Hitler was certainly not immune to the desire to dominate. We know that painting was one of the German dictator’s passions, but it’s through architecture that he best expressed his need for domination, power and absolute liberty—the very essence of fascism.
Apart from his many headquarters, Hitler built three buildings in Bavaria, on the slopes of the Alps close to the Austrian border, near the city of Salzburg. First there was the Berghof, his second home and favourite refuge, where he entertained foreign dignitaries. Hitler designed the plans himself. Built on the side of a mountain, the home overlooked a scenic valley.
In front of the Berghof was a teahouse, the second of his three buildings. Every afternoon, Hitler took his daily walk and headed to this small structure, where it’s said he liked to relax alone, with friends or with his companion, Eva Braun. Perhaps some of the dictator’s political decisions were made during his daily walks there.
The most spectacular of the three buildings is the Kehlsteinhaus, a cottage designed to serve as a Nazi conference centre. A French diplomat visiting Hitler before World War II was so impressed by the building’s setting that he called it the Eagle’s Nest. The building is located on the side of the Hoher Göll (2500 metres), at the top of a mountain called Kehlstein, whose height is 1,834 metres. When you look at the photo, you feel a slight shiver because you sense that the building conveys Hitler’s ultimate goal: to dominate the world by crushing it under his boots.
Once again, we realize the enormous power of real estate and of architecture in the expression of human feelings. It’s fairly safe to say that Hitler probably felt like he was flying when going up to Kehlsteinhaus. The view must have reassured him during periods of doubt and reminded him of his main goal: world domination.
The Nazis constructed a 6.5 kilometre road leading to a platform where the visitor had to pass through a 124-metre tunnel before accessing a bronze elevator, which took them 120 metres up to the cottage. Hitler did not go to Kehlsteinhaus often—perhaps 20 times. Various theories exist as to why, some tinged by irony. The German chancellor feared turbulence at the summit—altitude sickness, vertigo or storms—or perhaps he feared the elevator that took a mere 40 seconds to ascend to the top. All things considered, was he made to dominate the world?
Kehlsteinhaus was built in 1937, two years after the beginning of the war. To see the interior, go to thirdreichruins.com
Not only is the cottage shown from every angle (marble gates, bronze doors, kitchen and banquet hall), but you’ll also find other interesting information.