How much for the Hitler House?

By Catherine Hardy with AFP, EFE

Published on 09/04/2016 - 17:49

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Austrian authorities said to be considering making an offer for the privately-owned dwelling in Braunau-am-Inn.

Austrian state could buy Hitler’s birthplace
Follows disagreement with owner
Opinion in town strongly divided

What is happening?

The authorities in Austria are said to be consiering buying Adolf Hitler’s birthplace from its private owner.

The aim is to bring a bitter legal battle over ownership to an end, and prevent the house from becoming a neo-Nazi shrine.

Officials say the state would make an offer of compensation to the current owner.

The Hitler House

Das Geburtshaus Adolf Hitlers im österreichischen Braunau wird nach jahrelangem Streit über die Nutzung enteignet. https://t.co/DB6TKCo0TH
— SPIEGEL ONLINE (@SPIEGELONLINE) April 9, 2016

20 de abril 1889
Austria: en Braunau am In, el Imperio Astrohúngaro, actual Austria, Nace Adolfo Hitler. pic.twitter.com/9UVDK5uje7
— Jacqueline RW (@jackie2927) April 20, 2015

Dwelling is in the northern town of Braunau-am-Inn
Adolf Hitler born there on April 20, 1889
Empty since 2011
Government embroiled in dispute with owner, Gerlinde Pommer.
Turned into a centre for the disabled in 1970s

What is the disagreement about?

Five years ago, Ms Pommer unexpectedly refused to grant planning permission for renovation.

She also rejected a purchase offer from the Austrian Interior Ministry.

What do the locals think?

Braunau-am-Inn, ville autrichienne toujours hantée par la naissance d'Hitler http://t.co/kuZmxhDNkW pic.twitter.com/Ef4lMoZ6Dh
— ActuDirect (@ActuDirect) April 30, 2015

There is heated debate among Braunau’s 17000 residents.

Some think the house should become a refugee centre.

Others say it should be transformed into a museum dedicated to Austria’s liberation.

Some say the dwelling should be demolished. However, as part of the historic centre of Braunau, the house is protected by a preservation order.

What they are saying

“We have come to the conclusion over the past few years that expropriation is the only way to avoid the building being used for the purposes of Nazi sympathisers” – Interior Ministry spokesman Karl-Heinz Grundboeck.

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