Hitler's Birthplace in Austria to Become Police Station

The Austrian government has decided to transform Adolf Hitler's birthplace in Braunau am Inn into a police station to neutralize its symbolic power. The decision comes amid global protests following George Floyd's death and broader debates about removing symbols of racism and colonialism. The house, where Hitler was born on April 20, 1889, has long been a site of controversy and pilgrimage for neo-Nazis. After years of legal battles, the state expropriated the property. The renovation project, designed by architecture firm Marte.Marte, was selected from twelve proposals in a European competition. The facade will be repainted white to blend in with neighboring houses, and a commemorative stone from Mauthausen concentration camp may be moved to a museum. Interior Minister Karl Nehammer stated the building will no longer serve as a memorial to a dictator. The 5 million euro project is expected to be completed by early 2023.