Paintings of Hitler found in Austrian parliament

Workers renovating the 134-year-old building come across the four paintings, two busts and a relief

Illustrative: A 1938 portrait of Adolf Hitler (Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-H1216-0500-002 / Wikipedia)
Illustrative: A 1938 portrait of Adolf Hitler (Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-H1216-0500-002 / Wikipedia)

VIENNA, Austria — Piecess of art depicting Adolf Hitler have been found in the bowels of Austria’s parliament — more than 70 years after the Nazi leader’s death.

Workers renovating the 134-year-old building came across the four paintings, two busts and a relief in a cupboard in the cellars, officials said Friday.

“It’s not really a surprise when you clear out a building after 130 years,” a spokeswoman for the parliament told AFP.

Cheering crowds in Austria welcoming Hitler in 1938. (photo credit: CC BY-SA German Federal Archives. Wikimedia commons)
Cheering crowds in Austria welcoming Hitler in 1938. (photo credit: CC BY-SA German Federal Archives. Wikimedia commons)

“We know that the building was used as a ‘Gauhaus’ (local Nazi party headquarters) during World War II and we expected to make discoveries like this.”

The artefacts have been given to two historians currently working on a history of the parliament building during the country’s Nazi period (1938-1945).

The major renovation of the neo-classical parliament is set to last several years. Lawmakers are meeting in the meantime in the nearby Hofburg palace.

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.