The building where Adolf Hitler was born has been converted into a police station, aiming to end its appeal to dark tourism and far-right extremists. Located in Braunau am Inn, Austria, near the German border, Hitler was born there on April 20, 1889. His family moved after a few months, settling temporarily in Passau, Germany.
Hitler's Nazi regime killed about six million Jews and others during the Holocaust. After becoming Chancellor in 1933, he unleashed World War 2, which led to at least 60 million deaths. He died by suicide in April 1945 as Soviet forces encircled Berlin.
Renovation and Cost
The renovation took several years and cost around 20 million euros (£17 million), according to Austrian news agency APA. The building's ownership was resolved in 2017 when Austria's highest court allowed the government to expropriate it after the owner refused to sell. The owner received about 812,000 euros (£690,000) in compensation for the building and adjoining car park.
The Interior Ministry had rented the building since 1972 to prevent misuse, subletting it to charities. It stood empty after a care centre for adults with disabilities moved out in 2011.
Design and Security Measures
A commission of experts advised against turning it into a museum, recommending a redesign that made it unrecognisable. The police station plan was approved, and the building was overhauled: ochre-yellow walls turned white, arched windows replaced with rectangular ones, and the facade extended upward. Debris was disposed of at a secret location to prevent it becoming Nazi memorabilia, APA reported.
In the past, far-right extremists photographed the building, took stones as souvenirs, and laid flowers and wreaths.
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony took place on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Austria's interior minister, Gerhard Karner, said: “The Republic of Austria, the state, the county is facing up to this heritage, the terrible heritage of this time, and commits itself to deal with it. This entails this house and this address.”
A memorial stone recognising victims of Hitler's regime remains outside, inscribed: “For freedom, democracy and liberty. Never again fascism. Millions of dead remind us.”
