Braunau am Inn

Braunau am Inn
Name	Braunau am Inn
Coordinates	48, 15, 30, N...
State	Upper Austria
District	Braunau am Inn District
Elevation m	352
Area km2	24.84
Population	17,095
Population as of	2023
Postal code	5280
Area code	07722
Website	www.braunau.at
Mayor	Johannes Waidbacher (ÖVP)

Braunau am Inn is a historic town situated on the border of Austria and Germany, within the federal state of Upper Austria. It serves as the administrative center of the surrounding Braunau am Inn District and is positioned on the western bank of the Inn River, directly opposite the Bavarian town of Simbach am Inn. Known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and its role in regional trade, the town also carries a complex modern historical legacy.

Geography

Braunau is located in the Innviertel region, a part of Upper Austria that was historically contested between the Archduchy of Austria and the Electorate of Bavaria. The town's landscape is characterized by the flat floodplains of the Inn River, which forms the natural border with Germany, and the rolling foothills of the Alps to the south. Its strategic position on this major waterway and along important trade routes, such as the path between Salzburg and Passau, has historically defined its significance. The municipal area includes several smaller cadastral communities and is part of the larger Salzach-Inn region.

History

First mentioned in a document from 1120, Braunau received its town charter around 1260, a privilege often associated with the Wittelsbach dukes who then controlled the region. For centuries, it was a Bavarian possession and a fortified town, with its iconic 15th-century Stadtturm (city tower) symbolizing its medieval prosperity from the salt trade and commerce. Following the War of the Bavarian Succession, the town, along with the entire Innviertel, was ceded to Austria in 1779 under the Treaty of Teschen. The 19th century brought industrialization, including a large bell foundry, and connection to the Austrian Western Railway network. The town's modern notoriety stems from being the birthplace of Adolf Hitler in 1889, a fact that has profoundly shaped its post-World War II memorial culture, exemplified by the Memorial Stone against war and fascism placed in front of the birth house.

Demographics

As of recent estimates, Braunau has a population of approximately 17,000 inhabitants, making it one of the larger towns in western Upper Austria. The population has seen gradual growth, influenced by its economic role and its status as a district capital. Demographically, the community is predominantly Austrian, with an increasing presence of residents from other European Union countries. The town's population density is relatively high for the region, concentrated in the historic core and expanding residential areas.

Economy

Traditionally an important trading and artisan center, Braunau's modern economy is diversified. Key industrial sectors include metalworking, plastics manufacturing, and electronics, with several mid-sized companies operating in industrial parks. The town is a significant regional retail and service hub for the surrounding Innviertel district. It also benefits from cross-border commerce with neighboring Bavaria, facilitated by the European Union's open borders. Agriculture, particularly in the surrounding municipality, remains a component of the local economic structure.

Culture and sights

The town's historic center is a protected ensemble, featuring the Gothic Pfarrkirche St. Stephan (parish church), the 15th-century Stadtturm (city tower) which houses the municipal museum, and the beautifully preserved Renaissance and Baroque townhouses lining the main square. The Herzogsburg, a former ducal castle, and the Bürgerspital (citizens' hospital) church are other notable historical buildings. Culturally, Braunau hosts several festivals, including the traditional ["Gauderfest" in nearby Zell, and is home to various music societies and clubs. The controversial history of the Hitler birth house on Salzburger Vorstadt remains a focal point for discussions on remembrance, with the building currently used by the charity organization Volkshilfe.

Notable people

Notable individuals born in or associated with Braunau am Inn include the founder of the bell foundry family Franz Xaver Gugg, the composer and conductor Franz Xaver Gruber (known for "Silent Night"), and the painter Anton Faistauer. The 20th-century writer and poet Erika Mitterer was also born here. The town's most infamous native, Adolf Hitler, was born here in 1889, though his family left when he was three years old. Contemporary figures include athletes and professionals in various fields who hail from the town.

Category:Cities and towns in Upper Austria Category:Braunau am Inn District