The house where Adolf Hitler was born has been converted into a police station, ending years of debate over its future.Located in Braunau am Inn, Austria, the 17th-century building has been renovated to take on a public role and prevent it from becoming a venue for neo-Nazi visitors. Officials hope the move will reduce interest in Hitler’s past.
From birthplace to public building
Hitler was born there in April 1889, but lived in the house only briefly before his family moved. They left Braunau when he was three years old. According to the BBC, he returned once during a visit to Vienna after the occupation of Austria in 1938.The police station was inaugurated at a ceremony attended by Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and local officials. A police chaplain blessed two crosses that will hang inside.Karner said Austria is taking responsibility for its past, adding, “This home will now become a place of democracy, rule of law, security, freedom and human dignity.”
There is a dispute going on regarding the building for a long time
For years, the Ministry of the Interior rented the property from owner Gerlinde Palmer to prevent abuse. In 2016, the government confiscated it under a new law and paid €812,000 (£690,000) in compensation. Palmer challenged the amount but lost in court.Opinion is divided regarding the future of the building. Some people wanted to demolish it, while others argued that it would erase history. In 2019 the government decided to convert it into a police station.The building has been re-painted white and furnished with new interiors, while original features such as the staircase and entrance hall remain.There is no sign telling its history. Security cameras monitor the site to prevent extremist visitors. A memorial stone placed outside in 1989 reads: “Never again fascism; in memory of the millions dead.”