The Berlin government has decided to give away a villa once owned by a major Nazi figure for free due to its expensive maintenance, The Telegraph (UK) reported. The property in question is a lakeside villa with a disturbing history. The estate, located in the countryside north of the German capital, was once owned by Joseph Goebbels, Adolf Hitler's propaganda minister.
Berlin authorities have announced their plans to give the villa away for free, the report said.
A high-ranking official in Nazi Germany, Goebbels was part of Hitler's inner circle and played an important role in shaping Nazi propaganda.
He was known for his skill in using media platforms such as newspapers, radio and films to spread Nazi propaganda and control the flow of information within Germany. He died by suicide along with his wife and six children near the end of World War II, History.com reports.
Goebbels' 17-hectare estate and villa was built in 1936 and was used for various purposes, including his affairs with actresses.
Today the property is owned by the state of Berlin, which faces difficulties in maintaining it due to its high costs and disturbing history linked to the Nazi regime.
Berlin Finance Minister Stefan Evers said the property was “a gift from the state of Berlin” for anyone who “would like to take over the site.”
The property has been uninhabited since 2000 and the villa, located about 16 kilometers north of Berlin, has fallen into significant disrepair. The property now has broken windows and missing parts, and is in need of renovation.
There are several proposals for the estate, including a takeover by the federal government or the neighboring state of Brandenburg. It can also be purchased by a private owner.
However, if no suitable proposals are made, the state of Berlin may have to demolish the building, which is cheaper than renovation.