Adolf Hitler was born in the Austrian border town of Braunau-am-Inn and ever since his career ended rather ingloriously in 1945, town fathers have been uncertain what to do with the birthplace of their notorious native son. Plans to turn the one-story house, which dates from the 16th century, into an anti-fascist center came to nothing. Since 1977, it has been used as a workshop for the mentally disabled, not to mention a shrine for neo-Nazis who gather there annually on Hitler's birthday. The latest idea: Turn it into a place of reconciliation, with the Austrian government -- including Jörg Haider's right-wing Freedom Party -- footing the bill.
Fixer Upper
Adolf Hitler was born in the Austrian border town of Braunau-am-Inn and ever since his career ended rather ingloriously in 1945, town fathers have been uncertain what to do with the birthplace of their notorious native son. Plans to turn the one-story house, which dates from the 16th century, into an anti-fascist center came to nothing. Since 1977, it has been used as a workshop for the mentally disabled, not to mention a shrine for neo-Nazis who gather there annually on Hitler's birthday. The latest idea: Turn it into a place of reconciliation, with the Austrian government -- including Jörg Haider's right-wing Freedom Party -- footing the bill.
