Austrian authorities have converted the former birthplace of Adolf Hitler into a police station, as part of a wider effort to deter neo-Nazi tourism and suppress extremist glorification.
The building in Braunau am Inn where Hitler was born in 1889 had long been the subject of debate over how best to prevent it becoming a shrine for far-right adherents. After multiple legal and bureaucratic hurdles, the Austrian government has now repurposed the site for use by local police.
Officials said the move aims to place “active, ordinary state functions” within the property to discourage pilgrimage by sympathisers of the Nazi era. Interior Ministry spokespeople highlighted that utilising the location for public service ensures it no longer stands empty or becomes a focus for extremist sentiment.
The decision follows years of contention involving local and national authorities, historians and human-rights advocates, who have argued over whether to preserve the structure as a memorial, tear it down or assign it a new purpose. Critics of preserving the building have warned that any form of monument status could attract admirers of Hitler and fuel radical ideologies.
Under Austria’s strict laws prohibiting the propagation of Nazi symbols and propaganda, authorities have stressed that the site will be firmly reclaimed for democratic and civilian functions. The police presence is also expected to help monitor and deter any attempts to use the location for unlawful gatherings.
The transformation reflects Austria’s ongoing determination to confront its historical legacy while preventing the misuse of historically significant sites by extremist groups.
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