VIENNA (AFP).- An Austrian museum on Thursday launched an online collection of ideas for the future of a balcony in Vienna's historic centre, where Adolf Hitler gave a speech to declare Austria's annexation 81 years ago.

The House of Austrian History -- which opened last November in the building with the so-called "Hitler's balcony" -- is collecting "creative ideas" in the form of drawings, sketches, mobile phone photos and other images.

People are invited to upload their ideas online, and those that receive the most 'likes' will be presented in an event this autumn.

The balcony is "one of the most talked about places in Austria, and at the same time it was a taboo for decades," the museum said in a statement.

"We want to call directly for a public and broad confrontation with this historically incriminating place," museum director Monika Sommer said.

The balcony -- a vast terrace flanked by neoclassic columns -- is currently not in use.

The museum has already launched a sound installation that rings out twice a day across the vast square in front of the building to remember those "who were silenced" by the annexation.


© Agence France-Presse