Adolf Hitler’s birthplace in Braunau am Inn, Austria, has been officially changed into a police station. This change aims to prevent the building from being a pilgrimage site for those who glorify the Nazi dictator.
A memorial stone remains outside with an inscription promoting freedom, democracy, and liberty. It serves as a reminder of the atrocities caused by fascism. Hitler was born in this building on April 20, 1889, but his family moved after a few months, eventually settling in Passau, Germany.
Hitler’s regime led to the Holocaust, which killed approximately 6 million Jews, and World War II, where at least 60 million people lost their lives. He died by suicide in April 1945, near the war’s end.
Austria’s Interior Minister, Gerhard Karner, stated that the country is confronting its past and is committed to dealing with it. This includes addressing the history tied to this building. Renovations, costing about 20 million euros (approximately $22.8 million), followed a long ownership dispute. In 2017, Austria’s highest court approved the government’s expropriation of the building after refusal from the owner to sell.
The government had rented the building to prevent misuse. It stood vacant after an adult care center moved out in 2011. Transforming it into a police station serves as a symbol of civil liberties protection.
Critics argue the current setup lacks historical context. An expert commission advised against converting it into a museum, recommending a redesign to avoid recognition. The building’s color changed from ochre-yellow to white, and arched windows were replaced with rectangular ones. The facade was extended upwards. Debris from construction was secretively disposed of to prevent it from becoming memorabilia for extremists.
Previously, far-right groups frequently visited to honor Hitler. Incidents included taking photographs, collecting stones, and laying flowers. In 2024, four Germans were caught performing similar acts, with one giving a Nazi salute.
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