Austria and Germany: The Anschluss | The German History Podcast: 13

Jun 9, 2026 | In this week’s episode, Katja and Chris continue their exploration of the tangled relationship between Austria and Germany, from the collapse of the Habsburg Empire in 1918 to the Nazi regime’s annexation of Austria in 1938.

Why had so many Austrians believed their new republic could not survive alone? Why was union with Germany banned in the post-war peace settlement? And how did an idea previously associated with liberals and socialists become synonymous with ultranationalism, militarism, and antisemitic violence?

Hitler’s Birthplace in Austria Is Now a Police Station

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The government repurposed the 17th-century building in hopes of preventing the site from becoming an attraction for Nazi sympathizers.

The building where Adolf Hitler was born in Austria more than 137 years ago opened as a police station on Wednesday morning, the country’s interior ministry announced, concluding a yearslong effort to prevent any attempts from making the location an attraction for Nazi sympathizers.

The refurbishing and repurposing of the building has reignited a debate about what to do with sites associated with the Nazis in a country that is still grappling with how to acknowledge its role in the Holocaust.

“You could make the point that now is a watershed moment,” said Stefan Benedik, the deputy director of the House of Austrian History, a museum in Vienna. But, he added, when it comes to grappling with the past, “such processes are never over.”

The 17th-century building where Hitler was born — at Salzburger Vorstadt 15 in the center of the small, medieval town of Braunau am Inn, along the German border — has been undergoing renovations for about three years. Now, the exterior is a crisp white. The windows are new. No remnants of Nazi influence remain.

“The future use of the house by the police should send an unmistakable signal that the role of this building as a memorial to the Nazis been permanently revoked,” Wolfgang Peschorn, the interior minister of Austria, said in a statement. » | Claire Moses | Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Watch the accompanying NYT video here »
LESEN SIE AUCH:

Soll Neonazi-Pilger abschrecken: Hitlers Geburtshaus ist jetzt eine Polizeistation: Nach jahrelangem Streit um die Nutzung hat Österreich das Geburtshaus Adolf Hitlers zur Polizeidienststelle umgebaut. Am Umgang mit dem NS-Erbe gibt es Kritik. »

Exclusive Interview with the Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar

May 21, 2026 | After the change of government in Hungary, the new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, visited Austria and gave an exclusive interview to ORF’s Eastern Europe correspondent, Paul Krisai, about his plans and the future of Hungary in Europe.

What a delightful and sensible political leader! Very likeable indeed. A breath of fresh air after the corrupt Orbán with his antediluvian and fossilized ideas and thinking!

Was für ein entzückender und vernünftiger Politiker! Wirklich sehr sympathisch. Eine Wohltat nach dem korrupten Orbán mit seinen veralteten und versteinerten Ideen und seinem Denken!

Quel dirigeant politique charmant et sensé ! Vraiment très sympathique. Un vrai bol d'air frais après le corrompu Orbán et ses idées archaïques et dépassées ! — © Mark Alexander

Why Vienna’s Coffee Houses Are a Real Institution! | Cheers & Chats Ep. 1

Feb 15, 2025 | Even if they offer a wide range of coffee specialties, Viennese coffee houses are not only about having a hot drink or some good food. Their special atmosphere invites you to stay as long as you wish without feeling pressurized to order again or to pay instantly. Taking your time is the motto: whether that means reading the newspaper, chatting with your friends or watching people passing by. Vienna’s coffee houses are a real institution and were made a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

Why You Should Try Salzburger Nockerln

Allow yourself to be delighted.

Austria’s Hills Are Still Alive, 60 Years Later

THE NEW YORK TIMES: In Salzburg, an anniversary of “The Sound of Music” looks grand through a child’s eyes, even if the locals are gazing elsewhere

The little girl peered out the train window at the green, rolling hills of Austria, the country she had visited in her mind every day for months.

“Dad,” she said, “Maria was on one of those mountains!” Her eyes lit up.

The Austrians around us did not stir.

It has been 60 years since the Julie Andrews classic “The Sound of Music” opened in movie theaters. It still enchants American viewers, but, despite bringing millions of dollars in tourism revenue to their country each year, it befuddles many Austrians.

For all those Austrians: The film tells the story of a nun who becomes a governess to seven Austrian children, brightens their lives with song, marries their father and helps everyone flee the Nazis. It is oh-so-loosely based on the lives of the singing Von Trapp family, who escaped Hitler and settled in Vermont, where they still run a cozy lodge with excellent pretzels. » | Jim Tankersley | Visuals by Laetitia Vançon | Jim Tankersley traveled with his family to Salzburg, Austria, to report this story. | Thursday, August 28, 2025

Fury as Austrian Court LEGALISES Sharia Law in Europe...

Aug 21, 2025 | A court in Austria has ruled that Sharia law does not contradict Austrian legal values, allowing an arbitration case to go ahead under Islamic legal principles.

Related video in German here.

Kaiserschmarrn: How the Original Austrian One Is Made

Apr 32, 2022 | Kaiserschmarrn is perhaps Austria's most popular dessert – and rightly so!

There are various legends around its origins, but they all agree on one thing: The name refers to Kaiser Franz Joseph I.

His wife, Empress Elisabeth – known to most as Sisi – was reportedly the first person to be served Kaiserschmarrn.

We traveled to the Austrian capital of Vienna to find out how the imperial dish is prepared.

Habsburgs' Homeland | European Royal History

Jul 15, 2025 | Habsburgs' Homeland - Long before Habsburg became the name of a European ruling dynasty, it was the name of a castle at the foothills of Austria, in what is now Switzerland. According to legend, the name "Habichtsburg" derives from the hawk bird "Habicht", and this stronghold still stands 500 meters above sea level on what is called Wülpelsberg.

Beautiful Salzburg City Centre Day & Night | Ein Spaziergang durch die Getreidegasse

June 14, 2025 | Salzburg in Austria is famous for being the birthplace of Mozart . It is a beautifully preserved baroque city with many important buildings.

This video is a brief walk along the main street, the Getreidegasse, to show the contrast between the night and the day when Salzburg is overrun with tourists.

Salzburg is the fourth largest city in Austria.

The video is intended to give an impression of the atmosphere in the town centre. It is not a travel guide.

Why Vienna’s Coffee Houses Are a Real Institution!

Feb 15, 2025 | Even if they offer a wide range of coffee specialties, Viennese coffee houses are not only about having a hot drink or some good food. Their special atmosphere invites you to stay as long as you wish without feeling pressurized to order again or to pay instantly. Taking your time is the motto: whether that means reading the newspaper, chatting with your friends or watching people passing by. Vienna’s coffee houses are a real institution and were made a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

Austria's Far-right Freedom Party Leader Herbert Kickl Is Asked to Form a Government | DW News

Jan 6, 2025 | The far-right Freedom Party has been given a mandate to lead the Austria, after the collapse of coalition talks between centrists. President Alexander Van der Bellen has tasked the Freedom Party's leader Herbert Kickl with forming a new government. If he's successful, Austria would have the country's first government led by the far-right since World War II.

Verwandtes Video hier.

Austria’s President to Meet Far-right Leader amid Coalition Speculation

THE GUARDIAN: ‘New path’ to power may be opening for FPÖ after collapse of talks between country’s centrist parties

Austria’s president has said he will meet the leader of the country’s far-right Freedom party (FPÖ), amid speculation that the pro-Kremlin, anti-Islam party will be tasked with trying to form a government after centrist parties failed to find agreement.

The Alpine country of 9 million has been plunged into political crisis after the collapse of coalition talks aimed at keeping the far right out of government. On Sunday it appeared the FPÖ – narrowly the most voted-for party in September’s parliamentary elections – would be most likely to benefit from the turmoil. » | Ashifa Kassam | Sunday, Januray 5, 2025

Sonia Mota: Christmas in Vienna: A Most Iconic Stay at Hotel Sacher | Simply Slow Traveler

Dec 7, 2024

Austria Election: Why Are Young People Voting for the Far-right?

Oct 18, 2024 | There has been a series of far-right victories across Europe - most recently in Austria. The country's far-right Freedom Party won a historic victory in the general election, securing 29% of the votes. Young people, in particular, are voting more for the far-right, but why?

Guests:

Farid Hafez
Senior Fellow at Georgetown’s University Bridge Initiative

Ralph Schoellhammer
Head of the Center for Applied History and International Relations Theory

Maciej Kisilowski
Associate Professor of Law and Strategy

What's behind the Rise of Far-right Parties across Europe | DW News

Sep 30, 2024 | In Austria, the far-right Freedom Party is celebrating its first parliamentary election victory, winning around 29 percent of the vote according to preliminary results. The party has vowed to create what it calls a fortress against migrants. Chancellor Karl Nehammer's governing conservatives came in second, and have indicated they won't form a coalition with the Freedom Party under its current leader.

Far-right Freedom Party Finishes First in Austrian Election, Latest Results Suggest

THE GUARDIAN: Party wins 28.8% of votes ahead of centre-right People’s party’s 26.3%, according to near-complete count

The far right won the most votes in an Austrian election for the first time since the Nazi era on Sunday, as the Freedom party (FPÖ) rode a tide of public anger over migration and the cost of living to beat the centre-right People’s party (ÖVP).

The pro-Kremlin, anti-Islam FPÖ won 29.2% of votes, beating the ruling ÖVP of the chancellor, Karl Nehammer, into second place on 26.5%, according to near-complete results.

The opposition Social Democratic party scored its worst ever result – 21% – while the liberal NEOS drew about 9%. Despite devastating flooding this month from Storm Boris bringing the climate crisis to the fore, the Greens, junior partners in the government coalition, tallied 8.3% in a dismal fifth place. (+ video) » | Deborah Cole in Vienna | Monday, September 30, 2024

NYT: Far Right Wins Austrian Vote but May Fall Short of Forming a Government: The Freedom Party got nearly 30 percent of the national vote, but mainstream parties have vowed to join in a coalition government without the party’s pugilistic leader, Herbert Kickl. »

Austria: Far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) Wins Parliamentary Vote — Projections | DW News

Sep 29, 2024 | Following the parliamentary election in Austria, early projections indicate far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) will be the strongest faction in the parliament, beating the center-right conservatives for the first time ever. Immigration concerns and an economic downturn have dominated the electoral landscape in the Alpine EU nation.

Autriche : l’extrême droite triomphe aux élections législatives : Malgré sa victoire historique, le FPÖ devrait avoir du mal à former une coalition. »

Far-right FPÖ Set for Big Win on 'Fortress Austria' Platform | DW News

Sep 29, 2024 | Voting is underway in Austria in a general election in which the far-right has surged ahead by tapping into concerns about migration. The Freedom Party has pledged to create what it calls 'Fortress Austria' and prevent migrants from entering. They're polling ahead of the conservative party, but could be left out of government if other parties refuse to join them in a coalition, repeating a trend seen in other recent European elections.

Related articles here.

‘Moment of Truth’ for Austria as Far Right Senses Election Triumph

THE OBSERVER: Sunday’s poll result is on a knife-edge but populist FPÖ is looking to capitalise on fears about migration

The wiry, bespectacled man in the down vest, looking like an amiable ski instructor, beams on stage as the crowd chants “Herbert! Herbert! Herbert!”, waving hundreds of Austrian flags. Just after sunset behind the soaring spire of Vienna’s St Stephen’s Cathedral, Austria’s far-right leader Herbert Kickl tells voters they have the chance with Sunday’s potentially watershed national election to “take our country back”.

“Five good years,” Kickl promised the audience, with polls showing that his pro-Kremlin, anti-migration Freedom party (FPÖ) could for the first time win the most votes. “Volkskanzler!” supporters shout, using the “people’s chancellor” moniker once used to describe the Austrian-born Adolf Hitler, which Kickl has also come to embrace. » | Deborah Cole in Vienna | Sunday, September 29, 2024

NYT: As Austrians Vote, Far Right Awaits Its Biggest Success: The Freedom Party has made itself the country’s most popular party, with calls to bar asylum seekers. It is poised to come out on top in parliamentary elections for the first time. »