Berlin’s government is offering up a villa once belonging to Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels, with hopes of resolving a longstanding debate over the fate of the sprawling estate in the countryside north of the German capital. Finance minister Stefan Evers announced the offer in the state parliament, suggesting that the property could be taken over as a gift from the state of Berlin, as reported by AP.
The move comes as Berlin seeks to divest itself of the financial burden of maintaining the abandoned site, which has fallen into disrepair over the years.
The villa, constructed in 1939 overlooking Bogensee lake near Wandlitz, was a retreat for Goebbels and a hub for entertaining Nazi leaders and other guests. Following the war, the property briefly served as a hospital before being taken over by the East German communist party’s youth wing, which established a training center on the grounds.
Since German reunification in 1990, ownership of the estate has reverted to Berlin, but the city has struggled to find a suitable use for it. With proposals invited to reflect the site’s history, failure to secure a viable option may result in demolition.
The property’s dark past contrasts with its current state as a destination for curious visitors exploring the overgrown grounds and peering through the villa’s windows. Meanwhile, Goebbels and his family’s former residence in Berlin was auctioned off in 2011, marking another chapter in the complicated legacy of Nazi-era properties.
