
Braunau am Inn is a town in Upper Austria on the border with Germany. It is known for being the birthplace of Adolf Hitler. The town is on the lower river Inn, where it forms the border with the German state of Bavaria, halfway between the state capital Linz and the Bavarian capital Munich, about 60 km (37 mi) north of Salzburg. Braunau is connected by bridges over the Inn with its Bavarian counterpart Simbach am Inn. The district of Braunau am Inn is divided into 46 municipalities, including three towns and five market towns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Austria |
| Region | Upper Austria |
| District | Braunau am Inn |
| Municipality | Braunau am Inn, Osternberg, and Ranshofen |
| Population | 16,182 (2011) |
| Location | On the lower river Inn, below its confluence with the Salzach |
| Distance from Salzburg | 60 km (37 mi) north |
| Distance from Munich | Halfway between Salzburg and Munich |
| Distance from Linz | Halfway between Salzburg and Linz |
| Border | Forms the border with the German state of Bavaria |
| Connections | Bridges over the Inn to Simbach am Inn in Bavaria |
| Industries | Electronics, metal, woodworking, and glass |
| Tourism | Budget-friendly between March and May |
| History | Birthplace of Adolf Hitler |
| History | Site of a large prisoner-of-war camp in WWI |
| History | Renamed streets after Hitler in 1938 |
| Architecture | Gothic Braunau parish church dedicated to Saint Stephen |
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What You'll Learn
- Braunau am Inn is a town in Upper Austria on the border with Germany
- The town is known for being the birthplace of Adolf Hitler
- It is divided into 46 municipalities, including three towns and five market towns
- Braunau has a full range of industries, including electronics, metal, woodworking, and glass
- The town is home to many historic buildings, including two Gothic churches

Braunau am Inn is a town in Upper Austria on the border with Germany
Braunau am Inn is a town in Upper Austria, on the country's border with Germany. It is known for being the birthplace of Adolf Hitler. The town is situated on the lower river Inn, below its confluence with the Salzach, where it forms the border with the German state of Bavaria. Braunau is connected by bridges over the Inn with its Bavarian counterpart, Simbach am Inn.
The town is halfway on the road between the state capital of Linz and the Bavarian capital of Munich, about 60 km (37 mi) north of Salzburg. Braunau received town rights in 1260, making it one of the first in present-day Austria. It became a fortress town and an important trading route junction, dealing with the salt trade and ship traffic on the Inn. As a major Bavarian settlement, Braunau played a significant role in the Bavarian uprising against Austrian occupation during the War of the Spanish Succession.
The Late Gothic Braunau parish church, dedicated to Saint Stephen, was built from 1439 to 1466, replacing an older chapel. Its 87-metre-high spire is one of the tallest in Austria and serves as a landmark for the town. The town has many 16th- and 17th-century houses, and Austria's largest aluminium plant can be found in the suburb of Ranshofen. Braunau manufactures scales, fire extinguishers, and wood products, and it is also a market centre for the surrounding rural areas.
In recent years, Braunau has been the subject of controversy due to its association with Hitler. The house where he was born has been used for various purposes, including as a city library and a daycare centre. The Austrian government has taken steps to prevent it from becoming a pilgrimage site for neo-Nazis, and it is currently planned to be remodelled as a police station and a human rights training centre for police officers.
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The town is known for being the birthplace of Adolf Hitler
Braunau am Inn is known for being the birthplace of Adolf Hitler. Hitler was born on 20 April 1889 at Salzburger Vorstadt 15. His father, Alois Hitler, had served as a customs official since 1875, and rented rooms in an apartment building that also housed a craft brewery. The family lived there until 1892 when they moved to Passau.
Hitler's birthplace has been a source of controversy for the town of Braunau and the Austrian government. In 1938, the street and town square were renamed in honour of Hitler, and his personal secretary, Martin Bormann, purchased the house on behalf of the Nazi Party. It became a cult centre, containing an art gallery and a public library. At the end of World War II, American soldiers occupied the house and prevented Nazi supporters from blowing it up.
In the post-war years, the building served various purposes, including a school, a bank, a city library, a technical college, and a daycare centre for disabled people. In 1972, the Austrian government took over the main lease on the building to prevent it from becoming a pilgrimage site for neo-Nazis. It has been vacant since 2011.
The town of Braunau has taken steps to distance itself from its association with Hitler. In 1989, a memorial stone was installed in front of the building to commemorate the victims of World War II and to discourage "Hitler tourism". In 2011, the town council revoked any honorary citizenship that may have been conferred on Hitler. In 2016, the Austrian government approved a plan to remodel the building, and it was announced that it would be used as a police station and a human rights training centre for police officers.
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It is divided into 46 municipalities, including three towns and five market towns
Braunau am Inn is a town in Upper Austria, on the border with Germany. The town is divided into 46 municipalities, including three towns and five market towns. Braunau received town rights in 1260, making it one of the first in present-day Austria. It became a major Bavarian settlement and played a significant role in the Bavarian uprising against Austrian occupation during the War of the Spanish Succession. The town has a rich history, dating back to its mention as Prounaw in an 1120 deed, and has changed hands several times throughout the centuries.
The district of Braunau am Inn, created in 1868, is known for being the birthplace of Adolf Hitler. The address was Salzburger Vorstadt 15, and the building has gone through various uses, including serving as a Gasthaus, a city library, and a technical college. In 1972, the Austrian government took over the lease to discourage its use as a pilgrimage site for neo-Nazis. The building is currently being remodelled to serve as a police station and a human rights training centre for police officers, with expected completion in 2025.
The town of Braunau am Inn is situated on the lower river Inn, where it meets the Salzach and forms the border with Bavaria. It is connected to the Bavarian town of Simbach am Inn by bridges over the Inn. Braunau has a diverse range of industries, including electronics, metalworking, woodworking, and glass. The suburb of Ranshofen is home to Austria's largest aluminium plant.
As a former fortress town, Braunau am Inn still retains parts of its historic town walls. The Late Gothic Braunau parish church dedicated to Saint Stephen, built from 1439 to 1466, is a notable landmark with one of the tallest spires in Austria. The town also boasts two Gothic churches—St. Stephan and the Spitalkirche—and many well-preserved 16th- and 17th-century houses.
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Braunau has a full range of industries, including electronics, metal, woodworking, and glass
Braunau, or Braunau am Inn, is a town in Upper Austria, on the border with Germany. It is known for being the birthplace of Adolf Hitler. The town is on the lower river Inn, which forms the border with the German state of Bavaria. It is halfway between the state capital Linz and the Bavarian capital Munich, about 60 km (37 mi) north of Salzburg.
Braunau has a diverse range of industries, including electronics, metalworking, woodworking, and glass. The town is home to a variety of manufacturing activities, reflecting its long history as an important trading centre. Braunau was once a major Bavarian settlement and played a significant role in the salt trade and ship traffic on the Inn River. Today, it continues to be an essential economic hub within Austria.
The electronics industry is a key sector in Braunau, contributing to Austria's reputation for innovation and product diversity in this field. This industry employs thousands of locals and is known for its research capabilities and expertise. Electronics and electrics are among the biggest industries in Austria, with an outstanding export ratio of over 69.7%. Braunau's electronics sector includes various specializations such as mechatronics, electrical engineering, and car electronics.
Metalworking, specifically aluminium production, is another prominent industry in Braunau. The suburb of Ranshofen is home to Austria's largest aluminium plant, which has been operational since at least the early 20th century. This plant contributes to the town's manufacturing capabilities, including the production of scales, fire extinguishers, and other metal products.
Woodworking is also a well-established industry in Braunau. The town has a history of manufacturing wood products, and its surroundings provide a market for these goods. Additionally, Braunau's glass industry adds to the range of materials worked on and produced within the town.
Overall, Braunau's diverse industries showcase its economic significance within Austria, building upon its historical role as a trading centre. The town's industrial activities attract investment and contribute to the country's overall economic growth and development.
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The town is home to many historic buildings, including two Gothic churches
The town of Braunau, Austria, is home to many historic buildings, including two Gothic churches. Braunau was a wealthy trading town in medieval times, and its impressive church, St. Stephan, was built during this period. The church boasts the third-highest steeple in the country and a spectacular Baroque interior. The town is also home to the Spitalkirche, another Gothic church constructed between 1417 and 1430.
In addition to its Gothic churches, Braunau has several other notable structures. The town has many 16th- and 17th-century houses, reflecting its long history. It also features an 18th-century public bath, which now houses a museum. The Herzogsburg, Braunau's main museum, provides insight into the town's rich history, including prehistoric discoveries and exhibits on famous residents like Hans Staininger, the mayor of Braunau who died in 1567 after tripping over his long beard.
The birthplace of Adolf Hitler is also located in Braunau, and the town has worked to commemorate the victims of World War II and distance itself from this association. The building where Hitler was born has been renovated and will serve as a police station and a training centre for police officers. The town has also installed a memorial stone honouring the victims of World War II and discouraging "Hitler tourism."
Located on the Inn River, Braunau has a strong historical connection to Bavaria. It was originally a possession of the dukes of Bavaria and later played a role in the Bavarian uprising against Austrian occupation during the War of the Spanish Succession. The town is connected to its Bavarian counterpart, Simbach am Inn, by bridges over the Inn River.
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Frequently asked questions
Braunau, or Braunau am Inn, is a town in Upper Austria on the border with Germany. It is known for being the birthplace of Adolf Hitler.
Braunau has a full range of industries including electronics, metal, woodworking, and glass. The town also has many 16th- to 17th-century houses and two Gothic churches—St. Stephan and the Spitalkirche. The town's landmark is the Late Gothic Braunau parish church, dedicated to Saint Stephen, which was built from 1439 to 1466.
Braunau received town rights in 1260, one of the first in present-day Austria. It became a fortress town and an important trading route junction, dealing with the salt trade and ship traffic on the Inn. The town played a role in the Bavarian uprising against Austrian occupation during the War of the Spanish Succession, when it hosted the Braunau Parliament, a provisional Bavarian Parliament in 1705.








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