Hitler's birthplace converted into police station in £15 million renovation

Published Jul 27, 01:18 PM UTC

Austrian authorities have completed a £15 million renovation of the building in Braunau where Adolf Hitler was born in 1889, transforming it into a police station. The decision followed years of debate over how to prevent the site from becoming a pilgrimage destination for Nazi sympathizers. The building, previously a guesthouse, was acquired by the government in 2016. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stated the police station symbolizes democracy, rule of law, and human dignity, contrasting with the Nazi era. A memorial stone from Mauthausen concentration camp remains outside. The move was controversial: a 2023 poll showed only 6% public support, with some residents concerned about comparisons to the Gestapo. Local historians defended the decision, emphasizing democratic accountability of modern police forces.