Stolperstein memorial stone dedicated to Hildegarda Heinrichová in Brno, Czechia

Stolperstein Dedicated To Hildegarda Heinrichová

Stolperstein Hildegarda Heinrichová Brno: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The Stolperstein dedicated to Hildegarda Heinrichová in Brno, Czechia, is a powerful and deeply personal memorial within the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust remembrance project. Conceived by German artist Gunter Demnig in the 1990s, the Stolperstein (“stumbling stone”) initiative places small brass plaques into the pavement outside the last freely chosen residences of those persecuted by the Nazi regime. Each stone is a micro-monument, compelling passersby to “stumble” upon history and remember lives erased by the Holocaust.

Brno, once home to a thriving Jewish community of around 12,000 before WWII, saw many of its residents—including Hildegarda Heinrichová—suffer under Nazi occupation. Her Stolperstein, located in the Žabovřesky district, commemorates her deportation to Terezín and subsequently to the Izbica transit ghetto, where she perished in 1942. This guide details the historical background, significance, practical visitor information, and ways to integrate this poignant site into a broader exploration of Brno’s history and Jewish heritage.

For maps, tours, and further insights, visit the official Stolpersteine website and the Brno Tourist Information Centre.

The Stolperstein Project: Origins and Purpose
Jewish Life in Brno Before the Holocaust
Hildegarda Heinrichová: Life and Fate
Visiting the Stolpersteine in Brno
Cultural and Educational Significance
Ethical Considerations and Community Perspectives
Practical Tips for Visitors
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
References and Further Reading

The Stolperstein Project: Origins and Purpose

The Stolperstein project, founded by Gunter Demnig, is the world’s largest decentralized memorial to victims of Nazi persecution. “Stolperstein” translates to “stumbling stone” in German; in Czech, they are known as “Kameny zmizelých” (“stones of the disappeared”). Each Stolperstein is a 10 x 10 cm brass-plated cobblestone, engraved with the victim’s name, birth year, fate, and—if known—place and date of death, and embedded in the public pavement outside their last chosen home (encyklopedie.brna.cz; Wikipedia: Stolpersteine in Brno).

The project’s aim is to restore personal memory to the hundreds of thousands erased by the Holocaust, making historical remembrance part of daily urban life. As of 2025, more than 100,000 Stolpersteine have been installed across Europe, including hundreds in the Czech Republic and many in Brno (cs.wikipedia.org).

Jewish Life in Brno Before the Holocaust

Prior to WWII, Brno was the cultural and economic center of a vibrant Jewish community. By the late 1930s, roughly 12,000 Jews lived in the city, contributing significantly to its development (encyklopedie.brna.cz). The Nazi occupation in 1939 led to systematic persecution: anti-Semitic laws, property confiscation, forced labor, and ultimately mass deportations to ghettos and extermination camps. The Stolpersteine in Brno are a poignant reminder of the individuals and families who once thrived here and whose lives were shattered by the Holocaust.

Hildegarda Heinrichová: Life and Fate

Hildegarda Heinrichová (née Passer) was born on July 17, 1896, and lived with her family at Burianovo náměstí 13 in Brno’s Žabovřesky district (encyklopedie.brna.cz). She was married to Artur Heinrich and was the mother of Dorotea Heinrichová. On March 29, 1942, she was deported to the Terezín (Theresienstadt) ghetto and, less than a month later, sent to the Izbica transit ghetto in Nazi-occupied Poland. Hildegarda perished in Izbica, sharing the fate of most deported there (encyklopedie.brna.cz; encyklopedie.brna.cz - Stolperstein object).

Visiting the Stolpersteine in Brno

Location and Accessibility

Stolpersteine are installed in the sidewalks outside victims’ last freely chosen homes throughout Brno, with many in historic neighborhoods such as Žabovřesky. The Stolperstein for Hildegarda Heinrichová is easily accessible and viewable at any time, as are all Stolpersteine in the city.

Visiting Hours and Tickets

Stolpersteine are embedded in public sidewalks and accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is no entry fee or ticket required—visiting is always free.

Guided Tours and Maps

To better understand the stories commemorated by the stones, consider joining a guided walking tour in Brno. Several local organizations and museums offer tours focusing on Jewish heritage and Stolpersteine. For self-guided exploration, interactive maps and digital resources are available online, often with biographies and historical context (Stolpersteine FAQ).

Nearby Attractions

While visiting the Stolperstein, consider exploring other key sites in Brno’s Jewish and historical landscape, such as:

Brno Synagogue and the nearby Jewish Quarter
Villa Tugendhat (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Špilberk Castle
Moravian Museum
Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul
Zelný trh (Vegetable Market) and its historic underground labyrinth
Ossuary at the Church of St. James

These sites provide a fuller picture of Brno’s rich and complex past (I Love Czechia; Brno Public Transport Guide).

Etiquette and Photography

Visitors are encouraged to approach Stolpersteine with respect. Avoid standing directly on the stones, and consider leaving a small stone or flower as a sign of remembrance—a tradition rooted in Jewish custom. Photographs are permitted; capturing the Stolperstein in the context of its urban surroundings can be particularly evocative.

Cultural and Educational Significance

Individualized Remembrance

Each Stolperstein restores the identity of a single victim, countering the anonymity of mass murder. Personalized inscriptions invite passersby to reflect on individual stories like Hildegarda’s, bridging the gap between past and present (Stolpersteine FAQ).

Educational Engagement

Schools and universities in Brno incorporate Stolpersteine into educational programs through walking tours, research projects, and ceremonies, fostering historical empathy and dialogue about tolerance and memory.

Community Involvement

The project invites the participation of descendants, historians, and residents, promoting intergenerational remembrance and community solidarity.

Ethical Considerations and Community Perspectives

While the project is widely embraced, some have raised concerns that Stolpersteine could be overlooked or disrespected by being stepped on. In Brno, however, the initiative is seen as a meaningful way to honor lost residents and educate the public about the dangers of intolerance and totalitarianism. Commemoration ceremonies, such as those attended by the Czech Prime Minister and Chief Rabbi, underscore the stones’ importance (EuroJewCong).

Practical Tips for Visitors

Accessibility: Stolpersteine are in public spaces and generally accessible, but sidewalks in historic areas may be uneven.
Transport: Brno’s city center is walkable, and public transport is efficient (Brno Transport Guide).
Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn offer mild weather and fewer crowds.
Booking Tours: Guided tours of Jewish heritage sites and Villa Tugendhat require advance booking.
Further Exploration: Use digital maps to plan a personalized route through Brno’s Jewish heritage landmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are Stolpersteine?
Small brass plaques installed in pavements across Europe to commemorate victims of Nazi persecution, marking their last freely chosen residence.

Where is Hildegarda Heinrichová’s Stolperstein?
Outside her last residence in Brno’s Žabovřesky district; check interactive maps or ask at the Brno Tourist Information Centre.

Is there a ticket or entry fee?
No, Stolpersteine are always free and publicly accessible.

Can I take photographs or leave a tribute?
Yes; photography is welcome, and leaving a small stone or flower is a respectful act of remembrance.

Are guided tours available?
Yes, several organizations and museums offer tours focusing on Brno’s Jewish heritage and Stolpersteine.

References and Further Reading

Stolperstein Brno: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance of the Holocaust Memorial Stones, 2025, (encyklopedie.brna.cz)
Visiting the Stolperstein for Hildegarda Heinrichová in Brno: History, Significance, and Visitor Information, 2025, (Stolpersteine FAQ)
Visiting the Stolperstein for Hildegarda Heinrichová in Brno: Hours, Tickets & Historical Significance, 2024, (EuroJewCong)
Stolperstein Brno Visiting Hours, Tickets & Historical Sites Guide: Integrating the Visit to Hildegarda Heinrichová’s Memorial into Your Brno Itinerary, 2025, (Czech the World)

Conclusion

The Stolperstein for Hildegarda Heinrichová stands as a silent yet powerful invitation to remember, reflect, and learn. By visiting this micro-memorial—and exploring Brno’s Jewish heritage landmarks—you honor not only Hildegarda’s memory but also the city’s enduring commitment to confronting its past. Combine your visit with nearby historical sites, join a guided tour, and use digital resources for a deeper connection. For maps, updates, and further guidance, download the Audiala app and follow relevant cultural programs.

By engaging with these living memorials, you help ensure that the stories of Brno’s Jewish community, and the lessons of the Holocaust, remain present for generations to come.