Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann vows to rebuild Hitler's Kehlsteinhaus

Bavarian officials confirmed on Friday that the state will restore the Kehlsteinhaus, the former mountain retreat of Adolf Hitler, after a fire largely destroyed the structure. Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann told reporters that the government intends to rebuild the site rather than leave a ruin.

The Kehlsteinhaus, known internationally as the Eagle's Nest, was built between 1937 and 1938. It was inaugurated by Hitler in 1939 and has served as a museum and restaurant since 1952. The site is located on the peak of Obersalzberg in southern Germany at an altitude of 1,834 metres.

The fire began on Friday night when a smoke detector triggered an alarm at 9.15 pm. Approximately 200 firefighters from six municipalities responded. By 9.50 pm, when crews arrived at the remote location, the building was completely ablaze. No one was inside, and no injuries were reported.

Police spokesperson Lisa Maier noted that the high altitude and weather conditions made the rescue difficult. Strong winds and rain, which later turned into snow, hampered the effort. Firefighters had to withdraw overnight after several hours. The fire was still burning at 7 am on Saturday but appeared to be out later in the morning.

Police arrested a 33-year-old German man on suspicion of arson. He has ties to the area but does not live there. Prosecutors stated that he showed signs of mental illness and is being sent to a psychiatric facility. A police spokesperson told the tabloid Bild that the house is unlikely to be saved. A news conference was scheduled for Saturday to discuss the next steps.

The building belongs to the Bavarian state government. Herrmann said the restoration would involve talks with local officials, historians, and conservators. He emphasized the importance of continuing the work of remembrance at the site.