First we drove through rolling green hills and lovely mountain roads to the Berchtesgaden area. High up above the town is Obersalzberg, an area that is best known as one of Hitler's favorite areas and a site of one of his administration areas as well as the "Eagle's Nest." Later in the year, it is possible to take a shuttle up to the Eagle's Nest (a place that was built on the top of a mountain as a gift for Hitler on his 50th birthday... but only used by him 14 times), but we were just able to go to the Nazi Documentation center. It was a fascinating audio guide tour... lots of information about that period in history. Some of it, both of us had never realized. For example, information about soldiers that had opposed Hitler, the formation of the SS and the gradual transition from multiple available parties in Germany to only one on the voting ballot... the National Socialist Party.
Then, at the end of the tour, we were able to head down into one of the existing bunkers built into the hillside. Many of the buildings existing in Hitler's time were bombed and destroyed at the end of the war (due to us Americans) so few are left to look at, but the bunker system beneath the mountain still exists.
This is a picture of Chet down in the bunker. Though all the rooms now just appear as concrete, there were signs describing what each area was used for. Pretty extensive network below the surface of the mountain.
It was a cloudy day so very hard to get a good view from Obersalzberg. Pretty area though. I could see why Hitler initially chose it as a place of rest and relaxation. One interesting fact from the tour was that the Nazi's bought everyone out in this area... even families who had lived here for many generations. Basically, they just took over this beautiful area and used it as they desired.
Next, we headed down the road to Konigssee. We have heard about this lake repeatedly from our friend, Mark, and wanted to see this pretty, clean glacial lake in the most southeast tip of Germany. This is the trail headed to the lake. We could have also done a boat ride but we chose to hike instead. All the trees are leafed out in a very fresh, new green color.
This is Konigssee. Basically, it looks like a beautiful fjord set amongst the mountains that go straight down into the water. The color, though you can't tell in the photo, is a blue-green and quite clear. In the distance, on the water, are electric boats taking people for tours of the lake. Only electric boats are allowed on the lake to prevent pollution and keep it clean.
After Konigssee, we drove through beautiful mountain roads to get to Hallstatt. Hallstatt is one of the oldest towns in the region, dating back to 800-400 BC. Originally, its economy was based on mining the salt that was so rich in the hills. You can see in the map above the dark area above the town is an area mined for salt, the mountain was about 70% salt and, at that time, salt was worth a lot as it was used in the preservation of food. Original settlers resided up by the salt mines, but, later, moved down to the narrow lake side and built up the town. You can see that that the town is clustered right on the lake side.
This was a picture of the Catholic cemetery and the Protestant church steeple in town. The Catholic church was up on the hill, above the lake. One interesting thing about the cemetery was that it was so small that bodies could only reside there for 12 years before being dug up for new bodies. The skulls then would be placed in the "bone graveyard" in a chapel and each labeled with the person's name.
To get to many of the buildings, there were narrow, steep paths with many stairs. Very fun to go up and down. There were piles of firewood stacked next to the houses, and many of the houses had fabulous views of the lake (being built on a hillside). Apparently, when the town was younger, most houses had entrances through the attic because the lake was lapping at the base of the building.
Us in rainy Hallstatt. We had dinner at a lovely lakeside restaurant with a waiter who had lived in the US for while. It was fun to chat with him... he has had an interesting life of traveling and adventure.
Here is a better view of Hallstatt nestled in against the mountain and the lake. Even on a rainy day, it is a lovely area. We would definitely come here again... for longer and not so late in the day!
This is a photo in the evening as we headed home through the Salzkammergut. The "lake district" is all quaint towns next to the glacial lakes and Alps. It was an area used in the filming of the Sound of Music ("hills are alive" type scenes). I can see why so many people want to visit here... it is such an awe-inspiring area.Today, Friday, is a laundry, pack-our-bags, get organized and walk around Axams-type of day. Not to much to post about, I think. Tomorrow, we headed back to Munich, drop our car off and explore there for a couple days before we head to Leeds and Ireland.
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