A Fascinating Look at A Disturbing Past

One of the most highly recommended things to do while visiting Berchtesgaden is visit Dokumentaion Obersalzburg - a 'museum' which documents Hitler and the Nazi's rise and fall from power and everything in between.  It is very thorough and filled with interesting information.  Although it is all in German they provide audio recordings in English as well as roughly 10 pamphlets providing selected translations of each part of the display.  Since it was a dreary, rainy day we thought this indoor activity was the perfect solution.

Doug entering Dokumentation Obersalzburg

Inside Dokumentation Obersalzburg

Hitler loved Berchtesgaden and had big plans to make it the centre of the new world he was trying to create.  With this goal in mind, he not only developed structures to support his dream above ground but he also built an extensive bunker system below ground.  Dokumentation Obersalzburg is built above one small part of this bunker system and you have an opportunity to walk through the bunkers located below the building as part of your visit to the museum.

Some of the bunkers at Dokumentation Obersalzburg

Part of the bunkers at Dokumentation Obersalzburg

Since visiting Dokumentaiton Obersalzburg Doug has been researching Berchtesgaden and how important the area was to Hitler and the Nazi regime.  He has found one website in particular that shows then and now photos of many, many sites around the region from during the Nazi era and current times.  The history really is fascinating and I have a sneaky suspicion this is not our last trip to Berchtesgaden.

Doug enjoying a 'radler' (1/2 beer, 1/2 sprite) with is lunch

After a surprisingly good lunch at the restaurant at Dokumentation Obersalzburg, we thought we'd try taking a walk through the town of Berchtesgaden its self.  Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate with this plan and after getting soaked for about 10 minutes as we walked we were forced to sit at a cafe and have cake and coffee.

The wall of this cemetery is lined with plaques commemorating soldiers who died during the two world wars

Like many cafes and restaurants in Europe, the cafe we stopped at for coffee and cake had huge umbrellas so people could still sit outside even in the downpour.

Unusually serious for a change

Lucky boy, huh?  He did have to share, though.