Berlin Offers Joseph Goebbels' Decaying Villa for Free Amid Costly Upkeep Challenges

The German capital struggles with the historical and financial burden of a Nazi-era estate, seeking new ownership to prevent demolition.

Berlin's government has made repeated attempts to divest itself of the dilapidated Villa Bogensee, once a retreat for Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels.
The estate, encompassing 17 hectares north of Berlin, has been uninhabited since 2000 and is in severe disrepair.
Potential uses for the site include a museum or government takeover, but high renovation costs deter buyers.
Officials warn that without a viable owner, the villa faces demolition, a move that would cost significantly less than restoration.
The site's complex history as a Nazi retreat and later a youth camp complicates its repurposing amid concerns of attracting far-right interest.