Berlin, Germany: A lakeside villa originally built for Joseph Goebbels, the infamous Nazi propaganda chief, is now being offered for free to anyone brave enough to shoulder the responsibility of its upkeep.
Villa Bogensee, situated on a 17-hectare expanse just outside Berlin, was envisioned as a countryside retreat for Goebbels back in 1936. The villa reportedly served as a clandestine rendezvous point for Goebbels and actresses until April 1945, shortly before he and his wife met their tragic end in a Berlin bunker.
Since its disuse in 2000, the villa has fallen into disrepair, posing a challenge for the city-state of Berlin to find a suitable caretaker. Stefan Evers, Berlin’s finance minister, disclosed during a local government meeting that the building’s future hangs in the balance, facing the looming threat of demolition.
“I am extending an offer to anyone interested in assuming ownership of the property as a gift from the state of Berlin,” Evers announced.
Despite its location in Brandenburg, neither the surrounding state nor the federal government has shown interest in accepting this “generous gift.” Germany has grappled with the dilemma of repurposing former Nazi sites, balancing the imperative to acknowledge history while averting their potential exploitation by extremist groups.
Following World War II, the Goebbels villa briefly served as a military hospital before being entrusted to a youth organization, which established an academy there.
The villa still retains its original allure with charming features like wood paneling, parquet flooring, and elegant chandeliers. However, the extensive renovation required could entail millions of euros in expenses.
Evers expressed optimism for a proposal from Brandenburg to take over the villa. “Nevertheless, if no viable solution emerges, as has been the case in previous decades, Berlin will be left with no recourse but to proceed with demolition,” he cautioned.
Read More:
