The birth home of one of history’s most notorious figures has undergone a significant transformation to prevent it from becoming a focal point for neo-Nazi groups. Adolf Hitler’s former residence in Braunau am Inn, Austria, has been repurposed as a police station after an extensive €20 million renovation to deter far-right activities.
Previously a private dwelling, the property was taken over by the Austrian government a decade ago following a legal dispute with the previous owner. The recent refurbishment included the removal of Nazi-era architectural elements, such as the yellow plaster exterior being replaced with white paint and the addition of a police sign above the entrance.
A memorial stone outside the building now bears a message promoting peace, freedom, and democracy, while cautioning against fascism. Hitler was born in the house in 1889 but only lived there for a short period before his family relocated within the same town.
During World War II, the Nazi party made modifications to the building to align with their ideology. After the war, the property was acquired by the Pommer family, who later leased it to the Austrian government. Despite subsequent disputes over ownership, a law was passed in 2016 allowing the government to acquire the house for €810,000.
Plans to convert the site into a historical monument were dismissed due to concerns about attracting extremist groups. Instead, the decision was made to repurpose the building into a police station, a project that was completed three years behind schedule.
The new police presence aims to deter individuals with Nazi sympathies from visiting the site, emphasizing that such ideologies are unwelcome. However, not everyone agrees with this approach, with some suggesting that more should be done to commemorate the millions of victims of the Nazi regime. Author Ludwig Laher proposed an alternative focus on promoting pacifism rather than repurposing the site for law enforcement purposes.
