European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 11, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Germany by Bormann s oct. 1,1938, deadline. The Eagle s nest project began in August 1937 and took 13 months of hard work to Complete. Three thousand labourers including some italian Stone masons worked in shifts nonstop to finish the project on time. Floodlights were used at night to illuminate the task at hand and Large Camps were established to keep the workers close to the site. No records were kept on How Many workers were injured or killed. In Hitler s time the House was known As Keh Steinhaus. Though Bormann intended to build a teahouse for the Ages no one referred to it As such because Hitler. Already owned one near his Home Berghof in Obe Salzberg. French ambassador Francois Poncet coined the name Eagle s nest after visiting Hitler there in the fall of 1938. The Panorama of the mountains was like an Amphitheater and there were Many Small towns and countless mountains Meadows and Woods As far As the Eye could see Poncet wrote. Hitler s House Gaverne the impression of being in a building which was floating in  ironically Hitler visited the House Only 13 times from sept. 16,1938, to aug. 12, 1939. Bormann and Eva Braun Hitler s longtime companion frequented the Eagle s nest As often As possible. There Are conflicting reports about Hitler s opinion of the House. Some people said Hitler often used the Well guarded House when he wanted to be alone while others stated that he disliked the Eagle s nest. Hitler apparently suffered from shortness of breath and heart palpitations because of the Altitude. The most Dale rated social event was the june 1944 wedding reception for Eva Braun s sister Gretl and Gen. Hermann Fegelein the Liaison officer Between Hitler and Heinrich Himmler head of the is and Gestapo. Hitler opted to remain at Berghof to Monitor reports of the War. Because of its location the Eagle s nest escaped damage when Berchtesgaden fell to the allies in May 1945. Over the the next several months a steady Stream of . Military personnel went to the Mountain Retreat for a look. Among the visitors were Gen Dwight. Eisenhower Gen. George s. Patton and various congressmen. Bus Tours to the Eagle s nest began in 1952 and have continued Ever since. Private vehicles Are not allowed on the Road. Depending on the weather Tours of the House Are offered from mid May through october. Part of the House is now used As a restaurant. . Service members and civilians can get take one of two Tours that depart daily from the hotel general Walker. The Price is $16 for adults and 4.8 for children. If you miss the bus it s a five minute walk to where the German bus Tours Are staged every 30 minutes. The Price is 18 Marks about $11  and 14 Marks $8.50 for children. A View from the window of the bus that takes visitors to the Eagle s nest. People must walk or take special buses to the top since 1952, Tours have brought visitors to the Fagio s nest above left which now includes restaurant above. This hairpin curve is part of the Road leading to Kelstein. Is photos by John Bohmer november 11, 1993 stripes Magazine