Stolperstein commemorating Gertrud Herbst in Baden-Baden, Germany embedded in the pavement

Stolperstein Dedicated To Gertrud Herbst

Stolperstein Gertrud Herbst: Visitor Guide, Tickets, and Baden-Baden Historical Sites

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The Stolperstein dedicated to Gertrud Herbst in Baden-Baden, Germany, is a profoundly moving memorial within the Stolpersteine project—a network of small brass plaques embedded in sidewalks across Europe to commemorate victims of Nazi persecution. Initiated by German artist Gunter Demnig in the early 1990s, these “stumbling stones” mark the last freely chosen residences of individuals like Gertrud Herbst, restoring their names and stories to the neighborhoods where they once lived. Positioned at Stephanienstraße 2 in Baden-Baden, Gertrud Herbst’s Stolperstein recounts her life, deportation to the Gurs internment camp, and murder at Auschwitz in 1942. It stands as a tangible reminder of the human cost of intolerance and the importance of remembrance.

Since 2008, Baden-Baden has engaged deeply with the Stolpersteine project, involving local historians, schools, and residents in research, installations, and ceremonies. Today, visitors can discover over 200 Stolpersteine throughout the city, each inviting reflection and education about the Holocaust’s impact on this historic spa town. The memorials, woven into the city’s streets, foster daily remembrance and challenge passersby to recognize the past and honor individuals lost to history (stolpersteine.eu; gedenkbuch.baden-baden.de; goodnews4.de; tracesofwar.com).

This guide provides detailed history, cultural significance, and practical visitor information for the Stolperstein of Gertrud Herbst, alongside insights into Baden-Baden’s Jewish heritage and ongoing remembrance efforts.

Introduction
The Stolpersteine Project: Origins and Philosophy
Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden: History and Community Engagement
The Stolperstein for Gertrud Herbst
Visitor Information: Hours, Tickets, Accessibility
Memorial Ceremonies and Cultural Significance
Nearby Attractions and Resources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Plan Your Visit and Get Involved
Conclusion
References

The Stolpersteine Project: Origins and Philosophy

The Stolpersteine project began in the early 1990s, created by artist Gunter Demnig to commemorate victims of National Socialism. The term “stumbling stones” refers to the small, 10x10 cm brass plaques installed in front of the last chosen residences of those persecuted by the Nazis. Each stone bears the victim’s name, date of birth, fate, and, where known, details of deportation and death.

Demnig’s initiative was inspired by the Talmudic idea that a person is only forgotten when their name is no longer remembered. Stolpersteine personalize the process of remembrance, restoring dignity to victims and embedding memory in the everyday fabric of European cities (stolpersteine.eu; holocaust.org.uk; germany.info).

Today, the Stolpersteine project is the largest decentralized Holocaust memorial in the world, with over 107,000 stones installed in nearly 1,900 communities across 21 countries (en.wikipedia.org; stolpersteine-berlin.de).

Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden: History and Community Engagement

Baden-Baden joined the Stolpersteine project in 2008 with the installation of the first 21 stones. Since then, over 220 Stolpersteine have been laid throughout the city (de.wikipedia.org). Local historians, educators, and volunteers have played a vital role in researching biographies, organizing installations, and maintaining the memorials.

A defining feature of the project in Baden-Baden is community involvement. Schools and historical societies sponsor stones, research victims’ stories, and participate in ceremony presentations. This educational approach ensures that remembrance is a living, intergenerational practice (stadtwiki-baden-baden.de; goodnews4.de; claudiatravels.com).

The Stolperstein for Gertrud Herbst

The Stolperstein for Gertrud Herbst is located at Stephanienstraße 2, Baden-Baden. The inscription reads:

HIER WOHNTE
GERTRUD HERBST
JG. 1902
DEPORTIERT 1940
GURS
1942 AUSCHWITZ
ERMORDET

Gertrud Herbst was deported to the Gurs internment camp in France before being murdered at Auschwitz in 1942. Her Stolperstein stands as a silent testimony to her life and the broader tragedy faced by Baden-Baden’s Jewish community (gedenkbuch.baden-baden.de; tracesofwar.com).

Visitor Information: Hours, Tickets, Accessibility

Location: Stephanienstraße 2, Baden-Baden, Germany
Visiting Hours: Stolpersteine are in public pavements and accessible 24/7, year-round. No admission fee or tickets are required.
Accessibility: The stones are at street level and generally accessible; some historic streets may have uneven pavements. The local Tourist Information Center can advise on accessibility and tailored tour options (baden-baden.com).
Guided Tours: Periodic guided tours covering Stolpersteine and Baden-Baden’s history are available through local organizations and the Tourist Information Center. Check their website for current schedules.
Visitor Etiquette: It is customary to pause and read the inscription respectfully. Many visitors leave small stones, flowers, or candles as signs of remembrance. Please treat the plaques with care.

Memorial Ceremonies and Cultural Significance

Stolpersteine installations are marked by ceremonies that may include music, readings, contributions from students and descendants, and religious observances such as the Kaddish. These events are vital in fostering collective remembrance and ensuring victims’ stories resonate with new generations (goodnews4.de).

Baden-Baden’s approach, integrating school-based research and public commemoration, has become a model for grassroots memorialization and educational outreach.

Nearby Attractions and Resources

Former Synagogue Site: A commemorative plaque marks the site of the synagogue destroyed during Kristallnacht in 1938, located within walking distance of many Stolpersteine.
Jewish Cemetery in Jöhlingen: Reflects the region’s Jewish heritage (ka.stadtwiki.net).
Museums and Exhibitions: The local museum and city archive provide exhibitions on Baden-Baden’s Jewish history and the impact of National Socialism.
Other Cultural Sites: Kurhaus, Roman Bath Ruins, Museum Frieder Burda, and the Trinkhalle offer further historical context.

Digital resources, including interactive maps and the official Stolpersteine database, help visitors locate specific stones and plan thematic walking tours (stolpersteine.eu; commons.wikimedia.org).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Where can I find Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden?
A: Stolpersteine are distributed across residential areas, particularly at the last chosen homes of victims. Use online maps or visit the Tourist Information Center for detailed locations.

Q: Are there visiting hours or tickets required to visit Stolpersteine?
A: No, Stolpersteine are public memorials accessible at any time, free of charge.

Q: Are the sites accessible for visitors with disabilities?
A: Most stones are at street level and accessible, though some historic pavements may be uneven. Contact the Tourist Information Center for accessibility information.

Q: Can I join guided tours?
A: Yes, local organizations and the Tourist Information Center offer guided tours; consult their websites for current availability.

Q: How can I support the Stolpersteine project?
A: Sponsorships and donations are welcomed. Contact the city museum, archive, or Arbeitskreis Stolpersteine for details.

Plan Your Visit and Get Involved

To make the most of your visit:

Use the official Stolpersteine database to locate stones by name or address.
Download the Audiala app for audio guides and interactive maps.
Follow local heritage organizations and the Stolpersteine project on social media for updates, events, and educational programs.
Participate in commemorative ceremonies or sponsor a Stolperstein to support ongoing remembrance efforts.

Conclusion

Visiting the Stolperstein for Gertrud Herbst in Baden-Baden offers a deeply personal encounter with history and memory. These brass plaques serve as daily reminders of the victims of National Socialism, humanizing history and fostering ongoing reflection, education, and reconciliation. Through community engagement, educational outreach, and accessible memorials, Baden-Baden offers a model for meaningful remembrance. We encourage you to explore these sites, deepen your understanding, and join in preserving the memory of those who suffered.

For more information, visitor resources, and updates on commemorative events, consult the official Stolpersteine websites, local tourist information centers, and the Audiala app.