Anschlussdenkmal Oberschützen

The Anschlussdenkmal is a columned courtyard structure with eight supports standing on a hilltop south of the town. The complex features fire bowls and measures approximately eight meters tall and twelve meters across.

Built between 1938 and 1939, the structure originally celebrated Austria's incorporation into Nazi Germany. After the war it remained standing, but in 1997 was officially repurposed as a memorial against violence and racism.

The name refers to a dark chapter in history. Today the community uses this space as a place to think about the dangers of violence and extremism and to encourage visitors to reflect.

The memorial sits on a hilltop and is accessible year-round, though the terrain slopes upward. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear since the ground can be uneven and reaching the structure requires some effort.

The monument is one of the largest surviving structures from that era in Austria and now serves as an educational site. Its transformation from a symbol of seduction into a place of warning makes it a rare example of honest reckoning with difficult history.

Location: Oberschützen

Inception: 1930s

Address: Sonnleitenweg 4

GPS coordinates: 47.34340,16.21240

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:20