Chiemsee Autobahn Rasthaus

Chiemsee Autobahn Rasthaus

Chiemsee is a large resort lake in southern Bavaria, and was chosen by Adolf Hitler to be the site of the first Rest House of the Autobahn system. One of the earliest of Hitler's Autobahns was the route between Munich and Salzburg, since Hitler traveled this way often en route to his home on the Obersalzberg. Hitler wanted the best for this Autobahn, including a route that passed by the shore of Chiemsee lake. This required quite a bit of engineering work, as the planners wished to route the highway closer to the mountains where the land was firmer, and the lakeside route required additional roadbed preparation. However, Hitler's wishes were fulfilled, allowing a large Rasthaus complex to be built directly on the shore of the lake, which opened in 1938. This complex served its function for only a few years, before being used as a hospital during World War II.

Following the end of the war, this complex was taken over by the U.S. Army and for many years this building was the Lake Hotel, part of the U.S. Armed Forces Recreation Center at Chiemsee. However, the AFRC closed its Chiemsee facilities in September 2003, and their subsequent fate is unclear. Following the return to the German government, the Chiemsee facilities have remained closed to the public. However, in January 2009 it was announced that a buyer had purchased the property to turn it into a health clinic. Since the hotel is under protection as a historic monument, it is hoped that this development will not damage the historic design and appearance. (MapQuest Map Link)


This plaque is at the entrance to the Rasthaus explains the history. The English translation was installed by AFRC.

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Architectural model of the Chiemsee Rasthaus complex. The main building was on the lake shore, with associated buildings on the other side of the Autobahn. (from Official Catalog of the 1st German Architecture and Crafts Exhibition, in the Haus der Deutschen Kunst in Munich, January-March 1938 (author's collection)


The Autobahn Rasthaus at Chiemsee in the late 1930s, and the same view in 2001. (period postcard)


Similar views from a different angle, showing the entrance portico. (period photo from Frau Prof. Gerdy Troost, "Das Bauen im Neuen Reich," Bayreuth, 4th edition, 1938 (author's collection)

Another period view of the main building of the Chiemsee Rasthaus


Views of the Rasthaus from the lake side, showing Hitler (below) in a boat at the Rasthaus dock, ca. 1939. (above - from Frau Prof. Gerdy Troost, "Das Bauen im Neuen Reich," Bayreuth, 4th edition, 1938 (author's collection); below - National Archives, RG 242-HB; bottom - 1941-dated postcard in author's collection )


The Chiemsee Rasthaus as seen today from the lake. The rounded corner room was the Führerzimmer, Hitler's special dining area. (courtesy Ralf Hornberger)


On the left, Hitler's Führerzimmer; on the right, Hitler visits with his adjutants and staff. (courtesy Ralf Hornberger; period postcard)


Period postcard views of the main dining hall in 1938. This hall remained practically unchanged under use by the U.S. Army, with the large paintings preserved. (author's collection)


Period postcard views of the main dining hall, showing more of the large paintings. These unique paintings were reportedly removed ca. 2006 and stored, when the Rasthaus (and especially this main hall) were used for modern pop and techno concerts and youth gatherings. (author's collection)


Period postcard views of the Aufenthaltsraum, or main reception room. This was the primary hotel area for gatherings, relaxation, etc. (author's collection)


More period postcard views of the Rasthaus, from 1938-41. (author's collection)

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Surprisingly, under the AFRC the Chiemsee Lake Hotel still retained original Third Reich sculpture decoration. The statue seen in the photo at left, on the terrace overlooking the lake behind the hotel, is the Fritz Klimsch work "Die Schauende" (The Looker), featured in the grand opening exhibition in the Haus der Deutschen Kunst in Munich, July 1937 (more views here). Today this sculpture is known as the "Chiemsee Mermaid," however, it can now only been seen from the lake (as of June 2008, it was still there). (It is unclear just when "Die Schauende" was placed on the Chiemsee terrace. Period photos do not show the work in this location, but it was there in the 1950s. It may be that the American authorities moved the sculpture from its 1945 location (Munich?) to Chiemsee.) (postcard from the 1937 Haus der Deutschen Kunst exhibition)

Click here to visit another Chiemsee site associated with the Third Reich.

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