Hotel zum Türken at the Obersalzberg in 2012, Berchtesgaden, Germany
Hotel Zum Turken
This building wasn’t a hotel from start, it’s name was originally “Türkenhäusl” (Turkish home) and is named after the veterans returning from the 1683 war against the Turks. From 1911 it was converted into a popular guest house where Adolf Hitler and Dietrich Eckart had lunch in 1923. In the late 1920s Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party followers gradually took over the Obersalzberg near Berchtesgaden. When Hitler took up his residence in the “Berghof“, only a stone throw away from Hotel zum Turken, the building came under Nazi rule and the owner was shooed off.
Entrance to Hotel Zum Turken, Phil Wood 2008Old drawing of the Berghof before renovation for Adolf Hilter – Hotel Zum Turken, Phil Wood 2008
Stairs to the lower levels under Hotel Zum Turken, Phil Wood 2008Stairs to emergency exit and machine gun position – Hotel Zum Turken, Phil Wood 2008Dog kennels, stairs to emergency exit and second machine gun position (left), first machine gun position (right) – Hotel Zum Turken, Phil Wood 2008
First the SS took over with guard duties to protect the Fuhrer and later the Reichsicherheitsdienst (National security service) moved in. During World War Two it was the SS headquarters of the Obersalzberg. At the end of the war Hotel zum Turken was destroyed in the Allied bombing of 1945, but rebuilt after the war.
Hotel Zum Turken after the 1945 Allied bombardment – courtesy Pascal Ettinger
Next to Hotel zum Turken is a little guardhouse from the Nazi era. This small building was a guard post for the SS soldiers on duty on the Obersalzberg next to their headquarters.
The original guardhouse of Hitler’s Berghof on the side of Hotel zum Türken at Obersalzberg, GermanySS Guards and the Guard house in front of Hotel Zum Turken – courtesy of oldillusion.weeblyGuardhouse of Hitler’s Berghof on the side of Hotel zum Türken at Obersalzberg, GermanyHotel Zum Turken information plaque- Berchtesgaden, Germany
Stairs under Hotel Zum Turken, Phil Wood 2008Stairs under Hotel Zum Turken, Phil Wood 2008Defensive positions in the halls under Hotel Zum Turken, Phil Wood 2008Close up of Machine gun position – Hotel Zum Turken, Phil Wood 2008
Close up of Machine gun position – Hotel Zum Turken, Phil Wood 2008Emergency exit? – Hotel Zum Turken, Phil Wood 2008Halls under Hotel Zum Turken, Phil Wood 2008Machine gun position – Hotel Zum Turken, Phil Wood 2008
Second demolished Machine gun position – Hotel Zum Turken, Phil Wood 2008A look through the demolished Machine gun position – Hotel Zum Turken, Phil Wood 2008Stairs back up to Hotel Zum Turken, Phil Wood 2008
Visit
Today there are tunnels to be seen leading to Adolf Hitlers quarters “The Berghof”. Hotel zum Turken was for sale a few years ago and got a new owner, check out the website if the tunnels or the hotel can be visited.
Fascinating, thank you. Is there any information available on what the new owners plan to do with the hotel? I’ve heard rumours they plan to demolish it.
Fascinating, thank you. Is there any information available on what the new owners plan to do with the hotel? I’ve heard rumours they plan to demolish it.