Outrage has stirred in Germany over the decision to gift the deteriorating luxury villa once owned by one of Hitler’s infamous associates, Joseph Goebbels, for free. This property, known as “Goebbels’ Love Nest,” served as a clandestine meeting place for his lovers and is located 25 miles north of Berlin.
The sprawling estate, previously owned by Hitler’s propaganda minister, has been handed over by Berlin authorities. After years of uncertainty regarding the fate of this Nazi-era relic, German taxpayers are informed that Berlin will continue to cover the maintenance costs even after the villa is given away.
Maintenance of the estate amounts to approximately £240,000 annually, with potential renovation costs reaching hundreds of millions. Critics have condemned the decision as a “moral disgrace” and “historical whitewashing.” Historian Stephan Malinowski described the site as a symbol of indecision and forgetfulness.
Renowned German historian Hans-Christian Lange, a key figure behind the Holocaust Memorial campaign in Berlin, is set to release a thriller focusing on desecrated sites from that era.
Lange expressed concerns, stating, “German politics, having lost touch with its history, is establishing a network of offensive sites that disrespect the Holocaust. The Goebbels villa is just the latest example, likely to be sold to enthusiasts of Nazi nostalgia who may transform it into a revered memorial and pilgrimage destination.”
He added, “Regrettably, this is not an isolated incident. In 2024, former concentration camp sites were sold by the German government to individuals associated with the far-right, who are constructing luxury bunkers for the affluent. This trend is reshaping Germany, reminiscent of the 1930s.”
In contrast, Katrin Guse, a Green Party district council candidate, advocated for the demolition of the property, emphasizing that preserving dictator-created ideologies is unwarranted. Goebbels commissioned the villa in 1939, overlooking Bogensee lake near Wandlitz, north of Berlin.
The villa expanded into a 30-room residence with 40 service units, a private cinema, and 60 telephones. Below the villa lies a bunker constructed in 1944 during Allied bombings. Goebbels utilized the villa for entertaining Nazi figures, artists, and actors, as well as for clandestine affairs.
Post-war, the 42-acre property briefly operated as a hospital before being utilized by the East German Communist party’s youth wing to establish a training center with accommodation blocks.
Following the reunification of Germany in 1990, ownership of the site reverted to the state of Berlin. However, the city struggled to find a suitable purpose for it. Over time, the site has become a curiosity for visitors exploring the overgrown grounds and peering into the villa’s expansive windows.
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