O ne of the last structural relics of Adolf Hitler’s dictatorship was conceived to project indomitable power. Last month it was destroyed in a suspected arson attack. Will it, and should it, be rebuilt?

The historic Nazi mountaintop retreat known as the Eagle’s Nest is perched on an Alpine peak at an altitude of 1,834 metres (6,000ft), with stunning views over southern Germany and Austria. In German, its design is known as Überwältigungsarchitektur , intended to overwhelm and intimidate.

Now, despite the efforts of 200 firefighters battling through the night , only charred ruins remain of the former guest lodge, tourist magnet and remembrance site destroyed in the blaze which started on 23 October.…