...from Obersalzberg, 12 miles from Salzberg,
we are taken by shuttle bus up the amazing 6.5 km road
that was built by Borman in 13 months,costing 30million ReichMarks,
as part of the 50th birthday gift for Hitler.
With five tunnels and a scary hairpin bend,
sheer drops and fabulous views.. it certainly is a thrilling ride.
we are taken by shuttle bus up the amazing 6.5 km road
that was built by Borman in 13 months,costing 30million ReichMarks,
as part of the 50th birthday gift for Hitler.
With five tunnels and a scary hairpin bend,
sheer drops and fabulous views.. it certainly is a thrilling ride.
Obersalzberg was Hitler's home and the second seat of the Third Reich.
To reach Kehlsteinhaus - the lodge that was the birthday gift-
we walk through a tunnel and take the lift. A marvel in itself.
The lift shaft is 407 feet bored straight up through the mountain and the lift is
made of polished brass with venetian glass mirrors and green leather.
The tunnel to the lift.
Apart from the cost of construction in RMs it also cost the
lives of 12 construction workers, so dangerous it was and relentless
in the speed of construction, to be ready for the birthday in 1939.
At the summit is the lodge.
I felt a deep sadness thinking how power can go so wrong
and the consequences so terrible.
Standing in Eva's bedroom, looking out over the mountains,
I pondered how easily I can shut out the realities of our world.
The views are stunning..
I sat on a quiet seat alone and listened to the silence
and breathed the mountain air..
I remembered the story of how the devil took Jesus up a mountain
and offered him the whole world.
Jesus said .. no thank you.
I imagined the devil taking Hitler up this mountain..
and I prayed for all the leaders in our world today..
An interesting observation .. Hitler rarely visited the house on Kehlstein Mountain..using it
mainly to impress VIP's, and staying no longer than 20 minutes.
He was afraid of heights, of lightning strikes.. and didn't trust the lift!
His girlfriend Eva loved it.
This is so beautiful and so sobering at the same time, isn't it, Joan? The epitome of evil in such grandeur. Your prayer is so fitting in such a place, any place, actually. I pray every day for all of our leaders.
ReplyDeleteBoth beautiful and scary. The comparison with the devil taking Jesus up a mountain is an apt one. It would be so easy to be out of touch in such a place.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting place to visit. Many years ago, I watched a move titled, "Where Eagles Dare," about that time period and much took place at a home atop a mountain like this one. I wonder now if it was "set" at this place. You certainly were on one amazing journey these past few weeks.
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