Austria has officially opened a police station in Adolf Hitler’s birthplace in Braunau am Inn to prevent neo-Nazi gatherings and unwanted glorification of the Nazi past. The decision follows years of debate over how to handle the site’s dark legacy. The building, where Hitler was born on April 20, 1889, has been renovated at a cost of about 20 million euros and now hosts a special anti-drug police unit.

Authorities said the location near the German border is a key route for drug trafficking, and a permanent police presence will help curb illegal Nazi displays. Austria’s Interior Minister Gerhard Karner described the move as a “new chapter,” symbolizing democracy, rule of law, and security while acknowledging that history will not be erased.

Experts had advised against demolishing the building, arguing it would erase part of Austria’s history, while turning it into a museum could attract extremists. Public opinion surveys also favored using the site for administrative or educational purposes. The initiative comes amid political tension following the far-right Freedom Party’s recent electoral gains.