Hitler's birthplace: controversial future of a historical place

Hitler's birthplace: controversial future of a historical place

The birthplace of Adolf Hitler in Braunau am Inn is the focus of an intensive debate about its use. The director of the House of History Austria (HDGÖ), Monika Sommer, describes that both Hitler's birthplace and the new Hofburg are national symbols used by the Nazi propaganda. These places are known internationally as "disturbing" places, whose future use must be discussed in a democratic constitutional state. Stone slabs from the birthplace are currently part of the new exhibition "Make pictures!" In the HDGÖ, which deals with interactive stations and multimedia content, the representation of Austrian history, such as wikipedia in detail.

The plans for the redesign of the birthplace have attracted addressed reviews. Some voices demand a profound architectural change to neutralize the symbolic power of the building. The proposal includes concreting the windows and transforming the place into an inaccessible forest. This idea has caused both consent and considerable resistance, since it questions the possibility of reflection on the Nazi past. The future use of the building could now accommodate a police station, which is also hotly discussed.