
Stolperstein Evelyne Rosenthal Baden-Baden: Visiting Hours, Tickets & History
Date: 14/06/2025
Introduction: Remembering Evelyne Rosenthal in Baden-Baden
The Stolperstein dedicated to Evelyne Rosenthal in Baden-Baden is more than a brass plaque in the pavement—it is a powerful marker of history, memory, and resilience. Stolpersteine (“stumbling stones”), conceived by the German artist Gunter Demnig in 1992, are small commemorative plaques installed across Europe to honor victims of Nazi persecution by marking their last freely chosen residences. Each stone personalizes the immense tragedy of the Holocaust, bearing the victim’s name, birth date, and fate, thus transforming historical abstraction into a tangible, everyday reminder in the urban landscape (Wikipedia: Stolperstein; Stadtwiki Baden-Baden).
Baden-Baden has participated in this initiative since 2008, embedding over 200 Stolpersteine by 2025, thanks to the support of local schools, cultural organizations, and the Jewish community. These memorials serve to preserve the memory of those persecuted under the Nazi regime and to educate future generations about the perils of intolerance (Gedenkbuch Baden-Baden; Goodnews4.de).
The stone for Evelyne Rosenthal is especially evocative. Born in 1941 in the Gurs internment camp, her survival is a rare story amid countless losses. Her Stolperstein, at Stephanienstraße 2, marks her family’s last freely chosen residence before deportation—an invitation to reflect on individual stories and the enduring impact of the Holocaust (SWR2 Manuskript; Traces of War).
This guide details the Stolperstein project, Evelyne Rosenthal’s story, practical visiting information, and suggestions for engaging meaningfully with this memorial and the broader historical landscape of Baden-Baden (Baden-Baden Tourism).
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 & Educational Resources
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.
Conclusion
The Stolperstein for Evelyne Rosenthal in Baden-Baden is a poignant invitation to remember an individual story within the tragic sweep of Holocaust history. The memorial is accessible at all times, without barriers, and is best appreciated as part of a broader exploration of Baden-Baden’s cultural and historical fabric. Visitors are encouraged to reflect, learn, and participate in the city’s ongoing commitment to remembrance, tolerance, and education.
For a deeper experience, explore other Stolpersteine, attend memorial events, or use digital resources like the Audiala app or Stolpersteine Guide.
Further Resources & Source References
- Stadtwiki Baden-Baden
- Wikipedia: Stolpersteine in Baden-Württemberg
- Gedenkbuch Baden-Baden
- Wikipedia: Stolperstein
- SWR2 Manuskript
- Traces of War
- Goodnews4.de
- Baden-Baden Tourism
- Stolpersteine.eu
- Landesarchiv BW PDF
- Stolpersteine Guide app
- Claudia Travels
- Germany.info
- Mapcarta
- Wanderingermany.com