Austrian authorities said to be considering making an offer for the privately-owned dwelling in Braunau-am-Inn.
It is the only way to avoid the building being used for the purposes of Nazi sympathisers
- 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
— SPIEGELONLINE (@SPIEGELONLINE) April 9, 2016
20 de abril 1889
— Jacqueline RW (@jackie2927) April 20, 2015
Austria: en Braunau am In, el Imperio Astrohúngaro, actual Austria, Nace Adolfo Hitler. pic.twitter.com/9UVDK5uje7
- 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?
ADVERTISEMENTBraunau-am-Inn, ville autrichienne toujours hantée par la naissance d'Hitler http://t.co/kuZmxhDNkWpic.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.
ADVERTISEMENTWhat 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.