Stolperstein Dedicated To Heinz Adalbert Sack

Stolperstein Heinz Adalbert Sack Baden-Baden: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

Visiting the Stolperstein dedicated to Heinz Adalbert Sack in Baden-Baden, Germany, offers a deeply meaningful encounter with history, memory, and the enduring impact of the Holocaust on individual lives and communities. Stolpersteine, or “stumbling stones,” are small brass plaques embedded into sidewalks, commemorating victims of Nazi persecution at their last freely chosen residences. The project, initiated by German artist Gunter Demnig in the mid-1990s, has grown into the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust memorial, with over 116,000 stones installed across 1,860 municipalities in 31 European countries as of 2024 (stolpersteine.eu; claudiatravels.com).

Heinz Adalbert Sack’s Stolperstein, located at Stadelhoferstraße 14 in Baden-Baden, marks the site where his family lived before persecution forced them into exile. His story is emblematic of many Jewish families in Baden-Baden and throughout Germany, reflecting a life disrupted by Nazi racial laws, forced emigration, and the struggle for survival abroad. The Stolperstein inscription succinctly records his birth year, the year of his flight, and his survival in France (gedenkbuch.baden-baden.de; tracesofwar.com).

Beyond personal commemoration, these stones serve as educational tools and focal points for community engagement. Local schools, museums, and organizations actively research the biographies of victims, organize commemorative events, and involve younger generations in remembrance efforts, integrating these memorials into the city’s daily life (stadtwiki-baden-baden.de; Landesarchiv BW PDF).

Stolpersteine are publicly accessible at all times, requiring no tickets or entrance fees. Locations like that of Heinz Adalbert Sack are often highlighted on self-guided walking tours and are accessible to visitors with mobility challenges (baden-baden.com; pragueviews.com). This guide provides comprehensive information on the historical context, cultural significance, and practicalities of visiting the Stolperstein in Baden-Baden, enriching your experience of remembrance and education. For further exploration, digital resources like the Audiala app offer audio guides and maps to Stolpersteine across Europe (claudiatravels.com).

Introduction
Origins and Purpose of the Stolpersteine Project
Jewish Life in Baden-Baden Before the Holocaust
The Sack Family: Context and Persecution
Heinz Adalbert Sack: Flight and Survival
Stolperstein for Heinz Adalbert Sack: Installation and Inscription
Visiting Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden: Locations and Practical Information
Community Engagement and Educational Impact
Controversies and Ongoing Debates
The Stolperstein’s Role in Modern Memory Culture
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Summary and Visitor Recommendations
References and Further Reading

Origins and Purpose of the Stolpersteine Project

The Stolpersteine project is a decentralized memorial initiative launched by artist Gunter Demnig in the mid-1990s. Its goal is to commemorate individuals persecuted and murdered by the Nazi regime—not only Jews, but also Roma, Sinti, political dissidents, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others. Each Stolperstein is a 10 x 10 cm brass plaque, set into the pavement in front of the person’s last freely chosen residence. Inscriptions include the words “Hier wohnte” (“Here lived”), the person’s name, date of birth, fate (such as deportation, escape, or murder), and, if known, the date and place of death (claudiatravels.com; germany.info).

The Stolpersteine bring the memory of Nazi persecution into everyday life, literally “underfoot,” so that passersby “stumble” over the memory of those who once lived in their neighborhoods. The project has expanded rapidly, with more than 116,000 stones installed in over 1,860 municipalities and 31 countries as of 2024 (stolpersteine.eu; pragueviews.com).

Jewish Life in Baden-Baden Before the Holocaust

Baden-Baden, famed for its spa culture and cosmopolitan atmosphere, was home to a vibrant Jewish community before the rise of the Nazi regime. The city attracted both residents and visitors, including many Jewish families. However, after 1933, Baden-Baden’s Jewish population faced increasingly severe persecution, culminating in deportations and the destruction of the community during the Holocaust (claudiatravels.com).

Some Jewish families moved to Baden-Baden from elsewhere during the early years of Nazi rule, hoping the city’s international character would offer protection. Tragically, most were eventually deported or forced into exile (claudiatravels.com).

The Sack Family: Context and Persecution

Heinz Adalbert Sack was born on June 11, 1915, in Heidelberg to Dr. Waldemar Sack, a dermatologist, and Sophie Sack (née Rittenberg). The family moved to Baden-Baden in the early 1920s, living first at Beuttenmüllerstraße 17, then at Stadelhoferstraße 14 (gedenkbuch.baden-baden.de; tracesofwar.com).

As the Nazi regime enforced anti-Semitic laws and violence, the Sack family, like many others, faced exclusion, threats, and loss of livelihoods. Dr. Waldemar Sack was targeted with accusations and threats, and the family’s daily life became increasingly precarious (gedenkbuch.baden-baden.de).

Heinz Adalbert Sack: Flight and Survival

Recognized by the Gestapo as a “communist intellectual” in addition to being Jewish, Heinz faced double jeopardy (gedenkbuch.baden-baden.de). In 1936, as educational and professional prospects closed, he emigrated to Prague to continue his studies. Following the Nazi annexation of the Sudetenland in 1938, he fled again, this time to Paris.

With the outbreak of World War II, Heinz survived in France and made it his new home. His brother, Robert Arno Sack, escaped to Switzerland and eventually England. Other family members, such as Dr. Arnold Sack, were not as fortunate—Arnold was murdered in the Gurs internment camp, and Waldemar died in France in 1943 (tracesofwar.com).

Stolperstein for Heinz Adalbert Sack: Installation and Inscription

The Stolperstein for Heinz Adalbert Sack was installed at Stadelhoferstraße 14 in Baden-Baden on January 27, 2009. The inscription reads:

HIER WOHNTE
HEINZ ADALBERT SACK
JG. 1915
FLUCHT 1936
PRAG
ÜBERLEBT IN FRANKREICH

This simple text restores Heinz’s presence to the city’s memory and highlights his journey from flight to survival (gedenkbuch.baden-baden.de). The broader Stolpersteine project in Baden-Baden began in 2008, and as of 2013, at least 114 stones had been installed, with more in subsequent years (stadtwiki-baden-baden.de; de.wikipedia.org).

Visiting Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden: Locations and Practical Information

Location: The Stolperstein for Heinz Adalbert Sack is embedded in the pavement at Stadelhoferstraße 14, near the family’s former residence (Mapcarta).

Accessibility: Stolpersteine are set flush with the sidewalk and are accessible to wheelchair users and those with mobility challenges. The site is in a residential area, easily reachable on foot or by public transport. Parking is available in the city center.

Visiting Hours and Tickets: Stolpersteine are outdoors and can be visited at any time, free of charge. No tickets or advance arrangements are necessary.

Tours: Self-guided walking tours are popular, and local tourist offices provide maps highlighting Stolperstein locations (baden-baden.com). Occasionally, guided tours and commemorative events are organized by schools or community groups.

Etiquette: Visitors are encouraged to approach with respect—pausing quietly, reading the inscription, and, if they wish, leaving a small stone or flower as a gesture of remembrance.

Community Engagement and Educational Impact

The Stolpersteine project in Baden-Baden thrives on community involvement. Local schools and the Stadtmuseum collaborate to research biographies, sponsor stones, and organize educational programs and ceremonies (stadtwiki-baden-baden.de; Landesarchiv BW PDF). Students act as “patrons” for stones, create exhibition panels, and participate in remembrance activities, fostering a living connection to history.

Controversies and Ongoing Debates

While widely embraced, the Stolpersteine project has not been without criticism. Some argue that placing memorials in the pavement is disrespectful, leading to bans or restrictions in certain cities such as Munich (holocaust.org.uk). Nevertheless, the project continues to expand, recognized internationally as a “counter-monument” that challenges conventional forms of remembrance.

The Stolperstein’s Role in Modern Memory Culture

The Stolperstein for Heinz Adalbert Sack exemplifies how decentralized, participatory memorials can personalize collective tragedy. By embedding memory in the city’s streets, the project ensures that Holocaust remembrance is accessible, immediate, and ongoing (germany.info; claudiatravels.com).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where is the Stolperstein for Heinz Adalbert Sack?
Stadelhoferstraße 14, Baden-Baden, embedded in the sidewalk.

Are there visiting hours or tickets?
No—Stolpersteine are free public memorials, accessible at any time.

Is the site wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the stones are flush with the sidewalk.

Are guided tours available?
Yes, check with the Baden-Baden tourist office or city museum for schedules.

Can I visit other memorials in Baden-Baden?
Yes—there are other Stolpersteine, the Jewish cemetery, and the historic synagogue site, among other locations.

Summary and Visitor Recommendations for the Stolperstein in Baden-Baden

The Stolperstein for Heinz Adalbert Sack stands as a poignant testament to individual lives disrupted by Nazi persecution, while highlighting the importance of remembrance in modern society. Located at Stadelhoferstraße 14, this small brass plaque re-personalizes Holocaust history by restoring Heinz Sack’s presence to Baden-Baden’s urban landscape (gedenkbuch.baden-baden.de; tracesofwar.com).

Baden-Baden’s commitment to the Stolpersteine project is evident through educational initiatives, commemorative ceremonies, and active community involvement. Visitors are encouraged to engage with this living memorial respectfully and to expand their understanding by exploring related sites and resources throughout the city.

For enhanced engagement, consider downloading the Audiala app for audio guides and maps, and follow local heritage organizations for updates on educational and commemorative events (claudiatravels.com; stolpersteine.eu). By remembering Heinz Adalbert Sack and others through these memorials, we ensure that the lessons of history remain present and relevant for future generations.