Berchtesgaden Alps Berchtesgaden, known for the former Berghof residence of Adolf Hitler. The picturesque heart is formed by the glacial Königssee lake with the famous St. Bartholomew's pilgrimage church and the smaller Obersee, both part of the Berchtesgaden National Park established in 1978. The range also comprises glaciers like the Blaueis as well as the Steinernes Meer high karst plateau. The most important summits of the Berchtesgaden Alps are (groups in order of height): The Berchtesgaden Alps border on the following other mountain groups of the Alps: The "Berchtesgaden Alps" are included under this name in the generally accepted Alpine Club classification
Berchtesgaden 50th birthday in 1939. Even though a feared "national redoubt" last stand of the Nazi Regime in the Alps failed to materialize late in World War II, the Allies launched a devastating air raid on the Berchtesgaden area in the spring of 1945. Concentrated on the Obersalzberg, the April 25 bombing did little damage to the town. On May 4, forward elements of the 7th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division arrived and received the town's surrender. After the war, Obersalzberg became a military zone and most of its buildings were requisitioned by the U.S. Army. "Hotel Platterhof" was