Stolpersteine: Origins, Purpose & Local Implementation
The Stolpersteine Project
Gunter Demnig’s Stolpersteine project is the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust memorial, with over 116,000 stones laid across 31 countries as of 2024 (Stolpersteine.eu). Each 10x10 cm brass plaque is installed in front of a victim’s last residence, inscribed with their name, birth date, fate, and, if known, the date and place of death (Wikipedia: Stolperstein; Germany.info).
The project’s guiding principle, “Ein Mensch, ein Stein” (“One person, one stone”), restores individuality to victims whose identities were stripped away, inviting passersby to literally and figuratively “stumble” upon history in daily life.
Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden began participating in 2008, with the first 21 stones laid through the involvement of local schools and community organizations. By 2023, over 213 stones commemorated Jewish citizens and others persecuted by the Nazis (Stadtwiki Baden-Baden; Goodnews4.de). Installations often involve research and presentations by students, fostering intergenerational remembrance (Gedenkbuch Baden-Baden).
Annual ceremonies, musical tributes, and educational programs accompany new installations, often with the participation of descendants, local residents, and civic leaders, reinforcing the stones’ role in public education and memory.
Evelyne Rosenthal: Historical Context & Memorial
The Rosenthal Family’s Story
Evelyne Rosenthal was born in 1941 in Gurs internment camp, France, to Theodor and Liesel Rosenthal. Her early life was marked by deprivation and trauma—her mother nearly died in childbirth, and Evelyne suffered from malnutrition (SWR2 Manuskript). The Rosenthal family, like many from Baden-Baden, was deported to Gurs following Nazi policies; unlike most, they survived and later emigrated to Australia (Traces of War).
The Stolperstein for Evelyne is installed at Stephanienstraße 2, her family’s last residence before deportation (Wikipedia: Liste der Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden). The plaque’s inscription ensures that her story, and those of countless others, remain visible in the city’s daily life.
Visiting Information: Location, Hours & Accessibility
Location
- Address Stephanienstraße 2, Baden-Baden, near the city center, within walking distance of the Kurhaus, Trinkhalle, and Altstadt (Traces of War; Mapcarta).
How to Get There
- On foot Easily reached from the main squares and tourist attractions.
- By public transport Local buses stop nearby; details available from Baden-Baden Tourist Information.
- By car Use public parking garages in the city center.
Accessibility
- The Stolperstein is flush with the pavement and accessible for visitors with mobility challenges.
Visiting Hours & Tickets
- Hours The Stolperstein is outdoors and can be visited at any time.
- Tickets No tickets or reservations are required. Visits are free of charge.
Guided Tours
- Baden-Baden Tourist Information offers guided walking tours that may include Stolpersteine. Tours are available in multiple languages; advance booking is recommended (Baden-Baden Tourism).
- Self-guided tours are possible using the Stolpersteine Guide app, which provides maps and biographies.
Educational Initiatives
- Local schools research individual biographies for Stolperstein ceremonies.
- Museum exhibitions and literary workshops connect Stolperstein remembrance to contemporary issues of exclusion and migration (Gedenkbuch Baden-Baden).
Cultural & Historical Significance
The Stolpersteine project personalizes the Holocaust. Each stone is a call to remembrance and vigilance, countering the anonymity of mass tragedy. In Baden-Baden, the stones form part of a broader civic commitment to confronting the past and promoting tolerance (Goodnews4.de; Claudia Travels).
The city’s Jewish community contributed significantly to its culture before the Holocaust. The Stolpersteine, including that of Evelyne Rosenthal, are visible reminders of this lost heritage and the importance of ongoing education, remembrance, and resistance to intolerance (Landesarchiv BW PDF).
Enhancing Your Visit: Nearby Sites & Meaningful Engagement
Other Memorials
- Former synagogue site Also on Stephanienstraße, the site of Baden-Baden’s synagogue destroyed during Kristallnacht remains an important place of memory (Goodnews4.de).
- Other Stolpersteine Many more are scattered throughout the city; each tells a unique story.
Tips for a Respectful Visit
- Pause and reflect Take a moment to read the inscription and consider its meaning.
- Leave a small stone A traditional Jewish gesture of remembrance.
- Photography Permitted, but please be discreet and respectful.
- Cleaning Community members sometimes clean the stones as an act of care.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What are Stolpersteine?
A: Small brass plaques set in sidewalks, commemorating victims of Nazi persecution at their last freely chosen residences.
Q: Where is Evelyne Rosenthal’s Stolperstein?
A: Stephanienstraße 2, Baden-Baden, near the city center.
Q: Do I need a ticket or reservation?
A: No. Stolpersteine are public memorials, accessible at all times free of charge.
Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes. Contact Baden-Baden Tourist Information or use the Stolpersteine Guide app.
Q: How can I engage respectfully?
A: Pause, reflect, consider leaving a stone or flower, take respectful photos, and avoid damaging the plaque.
