"The Feldberger Hof is an iconic, historic hotel situated at the base of the Feldberg in the Black Forest (Baden-Württemberg). Founded in 1864, it is famously known as the highest-altitude hotel in Germany and the birthplace of the German ski movement.
World War II Background & History
During the Second World War, the Feldberger Hof and the surrounding Feldberg region in the High Black Forest were profoundly affected by the conflict.
- Hotel Requisition and Use: While it continued some hospitality functions in the early years of the war, the Feldberger Hof and nearby properties were later used by military and paramilitary branches of the Nazi regime (including the SS) for rest, recuperation, and training of troops.
- Forced Labor and SS presence: The broader Feldberg area featured SS barracks (on the Kuhdamm) and was the location of a local SS subcamp associated with forced labor. [1]
- The "Tannenberg" Führer Headquarters: It is a common misconception to confuse the Black Forest's WWII military sites. Hitler's actual regional command center was Führerhauptquartier Tannenberg. This was a secret bunker and command complex built by Organization Todt in 1939 on the Kniebis mountain near Freudenstadt (about 50 miles north of the Feldberg). Hitler visited Tannenberg for a week in 1940 to inspect the Maginot Line.
- Post-War Occupation: Following the unconditional surrender of Germany, the Black Forest fell into the French occupation zone. The Feldberger Hof property, including the former SS buildings, was seized by the Allied forces in 1946. The barracks were temporarily leased for civilian use, such as grain storage.
After a slow recovery and the resumption of civilian tourism, the hotel was fully reopened by 1950. Over the decades, it evolved into an expansive modern family and activity resort. Today, it is a highly popular year-round vacation destination". (AI online info)