Austria’s decision to transform Adolf Hitler’s birthplace into a police station has sparked controversy among both local residents and Holocaust survivors. While the move aims to deter far-right extremists from gathering at the site, critics argue it could be used more effectively or differently.
Sibylle Treiblmaier, an office assistant in her 50s, expressed mixed feelings about the decision. “It’s a double-edged sword,” she remarked outside the house where Hitler was born and lived briefly as a child. “While it might discourage far-right groups from using this site, I believe it could have been used better.”
The government took control of the dilapidated building in 2016 through legislation following years of pressure from activists who had complained about the memorial’s proximity to streets named after Nazis.
This transformation is part of Austria’s ongoing efforts to confront its role during World War II and specifically, its treatment of Jewish citizens. The country has been under German rule since 1938 and continues to grapple with criticism for failing to fully acknowledge its responsibility in the Holocaust.
In Braunau am Inn, a town located on the border with Germany, two streets dedicated to Nazis were recently renamed after activists’ persistent requests. The move underscores Austria’s continued struggle with addressing its past actions.
The house where Hitler was born on April 20, 1889, now stands in the heart of the town, right next to a memorial stone that reads: “For Peace, Freedom and Democracy. Never Again Fascism. Millions of Dead Warn.” The building is undergoing renovations with the interior ministry planning for its transformation into a police station by early 2026.
Ludwig Laher, a member of the Mauthausen Committee Austria representing Holocaust victims, sees this move as problematic since “the police are obligated to protect what the state wants.” In contrast, an earlier proposal aimed at establishing it as a place for discussing peace-building had gained considerable support from the public.
Jasmin Stadler, a 34-year-old shop owner and native of Braunau am Inn, sees merit in using the house for educational purposes. “It would have been interesting to put Hitler’s birth in context with the historic site,” she said. However, she also criticizes the estimated $24 million cost of reconstruction.
Meanwhile, Wolfgang Leithner, a 57-year-old electrical engineer, expresses support for this redesign. He believes that turning it into a police station would bring “a bit of calm” to the area, preventing it from becoming a shrine for far-right extremists.
While some residents favor this new use for the building, others are concerned about the implications of its transformation. The conservative mayor’s office in Braunau am Inn did not respond to an inquiry from AFP regarding their stance on this decision.
Despite ongoing debates surrounding how Austria should address its past, including its role during World War II and Holocaust atrocities, there remains a clear push toward making visible changes like these to acknowledge the country’s historical context.