Hartheim Castle

Hartheim is a renaissance castle in Alkoven in rural Austria. The castle was built by Jakob von Aspen in the 17th century, a family with the name Hartheim is mentioned in the records as early as the 12th century. In 1799, Georg Adam, Prince of Starhemberg, purchased the renaissance castle, unfortunately the castle was in poor condition in 1862. A century later in after Georg bought the castle, in 1898, Camillo Henry, Prince of Starhemberg, donated the castle to the Upper Austrian State Welfare Society. The building was purposed as a n "institute for idiots" In the early 20th century, a renovation was made for the castle, and it was purposed as a care home for mentally handicapped people. Beginning in the late 30's to the 40's, the castle became infamous for Hitler's Aktion T4 Euthanasia Program when Hitler ordered his Chancellery head, Phillip Bouhler and his personal physician Karl Brandt to murder physically disabled and mentally handicapped people by euthanasia. The castle was used extensively during WWII to gas and euthanize such people who the Nazis considered "Life unworthy of life". The citizens of Alkoven became suspicious of the murders that the Catholic Church complained about it to Hitler to stop them(not all members were good and knew of the crime). Today, it is called by some as Hitler's Murder Castle because of its use in the Second World War. The castle is furnished in the game but not all rooms may be accurate as described in the real building. I used a floorplan from a documentary of the castle and based my sources on that. Today, a music school resides next to the castle which is also included in the project but isn't furnished. Please treat the memorial as if you are actually at Hartheim, respectfully. I became interested in creating the historical castle because I myself am disabled, autism is my diagnosis. Ich spreche ein bisschen Deutsch!