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Döllersheim: The Abandoned Austrian Village with a Dark Past
Nestled in the Austrian region of Lower Austria, approximately 68 miles northwest of Vienna, lies the long-deserted village of Döllersheim. This diminutive settlement, first documented in an 1143 deed, boasts a history spanning over eight centuries. Today, Döllersheim is known as a chilling destination for dark tourism, due to its unsettling past under the Nazi regime.
A Village Erased: Forced Evacuation Under Nazi Rule
During the period of Nazi control in Austria, the inhabitants of Döllersheim were forcibly displaced. This evacuation was implemented to create a vast military training ground. Döllersheim was not alone; several neighboring villages were also subjected to clearance. Since this time, Döllersheim has remained uninhabited, transforming into a prominent site for those interested in dark tourism.
Hitler’s Ancestral Link to Döllersheim and Strones
The larger municipal area of Döllersheim encompassed the small hamlet of Strones. Strones holds a particular historical footnote: it is the birthplace of Alois Hitler, Adolf Hitler’s father. Alois was born in 1837 to Maria Schicklgruber, an unmarried local peasant woman.
Following the 1938 “Anschluss,” the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler ordered the clearing of Döllersheim, along with Zwettl, Allentsteig, and other smaller adjacent villages. This directive was to establish an expansive military training zone. This action occurred despite, or perhaps because of, the presence of his paternal grandmother’s grave within Döllersheim.
Rumors and Repression: Hitler’s Fear of his Lineage
Testimony from the Nuremberg Trials suggests a possible motive for Hitler’s actions. He purportedly feared further investigation into an unverified rumor regarding his paternal grandfather’s possible Jewish heritage in Graz.
According to Far Out magazine, Hitler is quoted as stating, “People must not know who I am. They must not know where I come from.” This statement hints at a desire to conceal his origins.
However, it’s crucial to note that no concrete proof has ever substantiated the claims surrounding his grandfather’s background.
Destruction and Displacement: The Fate of Döllersheim
By October 1941, the forced resettlement of Döllersheim’s 2,000 residents was complete. Wehrmacht forces subsequently utilized the village for training exercises, including bombing buildings. Romanesque structures dating back to the 12th century were destroyed and replaced with extensive prisoner-of-war camps, including Stalag XVII-A.
Post-War Döllersheim: Soviet Occupation and Lingering Exclusion
With the German unconditional surrender in 1945 and the Allied occupation of Austria, the Soviet Army took control of the military training area.
Compensation for the displaced villagers was not provided until 1955.
Despite persistent demands for restitution, Döllersheim has remained a military restricted area, now known as Truppenübungsplatz Allentsteig and operated by the Austrian Armed Forces.
Visiting Döllersheim Today: A Ghost Village
While the original inhabitants have never been permitted to return to their former homes, the area is now accessible to visitors. Tourists can explore the church, village square, and cemetery. It is important to remember that the military training area remains active, with occasional live ammunition exercises still conducted within the zone. Döllersheim stands as a stark reminder of wartime displacement and a unique destination for those interested in exploring dark historical sites.