The building in Braunau am Inn where Adolf Hitler was born in 1889 officially began operating as a police station this Wednesday. The Austrian government converted the property following a compulsory purchase in 2017, aiming to neutralize the site as a destination for neo-Nazi pilgrimages. According to the Austrian interior ministry’s history department, the project seeks to strip the house of its historical “mystique” by repurposing it for standard administrative use.
Government Strategy to Dilute Historical Significance
Austrian officials have long sought a permanent solution for the terraced house, which previously served as a charity for handicapped people. Stephan Mlczoch, head of the interior ministry’s history department, told reporters during a media tour that the goal is to prevent any ongoing association with Adolf Hitler. The government began remodeling the site in 2023, keeping the structure’s exterior largely plain, marked only by a sign that reads “Police.”
Historical context provided by Mlczoch notes that Hitler lived in the house for only a few weeks after his birth. During the Nazi era, the regime utilized the building as an art museum to cultivate a personality cult around Hitler. By converting it into a local police headquarters, the state intends to replace this narrative with a routine, functional public service presence.
Did you know?
A rock from the Mauthausen concentration camp remains on the pavement outside the building. It is inscribed with the words “Never again fascism,” serving as the only marker of the site’s connection to the era of National Socialism.
Opposition and Criticisms from Holocaust Advocacy Groups
Not all stakeholders support the conversion. The Mauthausen Committee, Austria’s main Holocaust survivors’ group, has raised concerns that a police station is an inappropriate use for the site. Robert Eiter, a representative for the committee and the Network Against Racism and Right-Wing Extremism, argued that the government’s focus should remain on educating the public about Hitler’s crimes rather than obscuring the building’s history.
“In Braunau they’re saying: let’s forget as soon as possible,” Eiter stated, expressing skepticism that the conversion will deter neo-Nazi visitors. He maintains that the global historical record, including digital references like Wikipedia, ensures the location will remain known as the birthplace of the individual responsible for the deaths of six million Jews and other minorities.
Local Sentiment in Braunau am Inn
Public opinion in the town of Braunau am Inn remains divided but largely resigned. Mayor Johannes Waidbacher, who served on the commission tasked with determining the building’s future, noted that the town has generally accepted the decision. Waidbacher explained that administrative use was chosen because it limits public accessibility compared to a charity.
Local residents offer mixed perspectives. Thomas Spreitz, a local estate agent, described the conversion as a “good idea” that could effectively end the sporadic presence of neo-Nazi groups. Conversely, some residents like 74-year-old Irene expressed a preference for the building to have remained a site for social services. While the town has seen a decrease in “isolated incidents” involving visitors, local officials continue to enforce strict bans on Nazi symbols and salutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did the Austrian government buy the house?
The government made a compulsory purchase in 2017 to take control of the property and prevent it from being used as a shrine for neo-Nazis. - What is the building used for now?
As of this week, the house serves as a local police station. - Is the house open to the public?
No, the conversion into a police station is intended to restrict public access to the interior. - Are there any Nazi monuments at the site?
No. The only commemorative object is a rock from the Mauthausen concentration camp dedicated to the victims of fascism.
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