The Dokumentation Obersalzberg is a permanent exhibition at Obersalzberg near Berchtesgaden. It was commissioned by the Free State of Bavaria.
Obersalzberg, which became Hitler's holiday retreat in 1923, was expanded after 1933, becoming a second seat of government along with Berlin. The exhibition links local historical aspects with a portrayal of the central phenomena of the National Socialist dictatorship.
Exhibits are in German, but a portable audio guide is available with explanations in English and other languages for non-German speakers. The tour ends in a real bunker left over from the Nazi era. Plan to spend a few hours.
There are many remnants of the original Nazi complex scattered around the area.
The museum building is built upon the foundation of the Nazi party guest house.
Just above the parking lot is the last remains of the hotel Platterhof. (N47 37.813 E13 02.439 - see photo) It began as an Obersalzberg estate called the Steinhauslehen. Mauritia "Moritz" Mayer bought it in 1877 and later opened the Pension Moritz. Moritz Mayer enjoyed considerable local fame, and after her death, the pension became known as the "Platterhof," because Moritz was widely assumed to have inspired the character of "Judith Platter" in Richard Voss' novel Zwei Menschen (Two People). After the Nazis took over the Obersalzberg, the original Platterhof was remodeled, and a large multi-wing hotel erected around the original building, still known as the Platterhof. This was supposed to be a national people's hotel, where the common people of the Third Reich could stay when visiting their Führer, but the Platterhof never served that purpose. Instead, it served high-ranking Nazi dignitaries and other important visitors. The bombing attack of 25 April 1945 did considerable damage to the Platterhof. It was not destroyed, but it stood derelict for several years. However, it escaped the 1952 destruction of Nazi buildings, and was rebuilt and renovated by the U.S. Army as the Hotel General Walker, as part of the Armed Forces Recreation Center. After return to the German government in 1995 its fate was unclear, but it was torn down, along with the ruins of the garage, in 2000. Only a side building (photo) and the rear terraces were spared from destruction.
Behind the museum, there is a path that will lead you to the Hotel Türken (N47 38.027 E13 02.637 - see photo) and the ruins of Hitler's retreat, the Berghof (N47 38.010 E13 02.526 - see photos).
Legend says the "Türkenhäusl" was built by a veteran returning from a war against the Turks in 1683. Local innkeeper Karl Schuster bought the "Little Turk House" in 1911 and converted it to a guesthouse. It soon became one of the most popular stops in the region, entertaining the likes of Johannes Brahms, Clara Schumann, Bavarian Prince-Regent Luitpold, and the Crown Prince and Princess of Prussia. Schuster was a somewhat outspoken critic of the Nazi takeover of the Obersalzberg, since this ruined his business, and he joined the majority of his neighbors who were forced to sell out to the Nazis and leave the area in late 1933. The building was first used by the SS-Führerleibwache, Hitler's personal bodyguard. Bormann later assigned the building to the Reichssicherheitsdienst (RSD), the high-level Security Service responsible for Hitler's safeguarding. In practice, the ex-hotel served as a headquarters for the round-the-clock SS guard detachment, and also as a telephone communications center. Prisoner cells were maintained in the basement (above the bunker system). The building was severely damaged in the April 1945 bombing attack (being immediately adjacent to Hitler's Berghof), and heavily plundered by the local population and Allied soldiers. Nevertheless, Karl Schuster's widow and their daughter Therese Partner were determined to get the family's property back. Against opposition from the authorities, Therese Partner began to rebuild, and in 1949, she was finally rewarded by being permitted to repurchase the building. She immediately set about refurnishing and reopening the Hotel Zum Türken, which has again taken its place as one of the most popular guest houses in the area.
For a good overview of the Berghof in text and photos see www.thirdreichruins.com
A visit to this museum can be combined with a trip to Hitler's "Eagle's Nest" mountaintop lodge.
Find more information on this museum at : www.obersalzberg.de