Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest largely burns down; police detain one person

Kehlsteinhaus, known as the “Eagle’s Nest” and built for Hitler in Germany’s Bavaria state, largely burned down in a fire late Friday. Police detained one person and are investigating suspected arson.

Kehlsteinhaus, known as the “Eagle’s Nest” and located near Berchtesgaden in southern Germany at an altitude of 1,834 meters above sea level, largely burned down in a fire that broke out late Friday evening.

Responding crews found the building completely engulfed in flames. Around 200 rescue workers and firefighters tackled the blaze. The high altitude and difficult access to the building made the response more challenging. No one was injured because the building was empty at the time.

Kehlsteinhaus'a çıkan asansöre ulaşan taş tünel

Police detained one person after the fire but provided no details. Bild reported, citing a police spokesperson, that arson was suspected. According to reports in the German media, the detained person was a motorcyclist whom responding crews encountered on the way to the scene. Traunstein criminal police are conducting the investigation under the direction of the public prosecutor’s office.

The building was constructed in 1937–1938 as part of the restricted area belonging to Hitler at Obersalzberg and became known worldwide as the “Eagle’s Nest.” The structure survived World War II undamaged and has operated as a restaurant since 1952, while also hosting an exhibition about its history. Kehlsteinhaus was protected as a historic monument.