Stolperstein Johanna Ackermann Baden-Baden: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance
Date: 14/06/2025
Introduction
Baden-Baden, a renowned spa town in southwestern Germany, is home to poignant reminders of its turbulent twentieth-century history. Among these is the Stolperstein (“stumbling stone”) dedicated to Johanna Ackermann. This brass memorial, set into the pavement at Stephanienstraße 5, is part of the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust remembrance project. Stolpersteine commemorate individuals persecuted by the Nazis—Jews, Roma, political dissidents, and other marginalized groups—by marking their last freely chosen residences. Initiated by artist Gunter Demnig in 1992, the Stolpersteine project has installed over 107,000 stones across Europe, with Baden-Baden alone hosting more than 140 such memorials (Stolpersteine.eu; Claudiatravels.com).
Visiting Johanna Ackermann’s Stolperstein offers a unique, personal encounter with history. This guide provides everything you need to know to locate and visit the memorial, understand its historical significance, and explore further sites and resources for a meaningful experience.
What Are Stolpersteine?
Stolpersteine are small, 10 x 10 cm brass plaques embedded in public sidewalks. Each one is engraved with the name, birth date, fate, and (if known) deportation or death details of a victim of Nazi persecution. Placed before the victim’s last freely chosen home or workplace, these stones prompt passersby to “stumble” upon the memory of individuals otherwise erased from public consciousness. The Stolpersteine project’s decentralized nature brings remembrance directly into everyday city life, making history visible and personal (Stolpersteine.eu; pragueviews.com).
Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden: Local Context
Baden-Baden, with its rich Jewish heritage, became a refuge for many during the 1930s. Tragically, most were deported or forced to flee. As of 2025, the city is home to over 140 Stolpersteine, commemorating Jewish citizens, Roma, Sinti, political prisoners, and others targeted by the Nazis (Claudiatravels.com). These stones are distributed throughout the city, often clustered in areas where multiple victims lived.
Who Was Johanna Ackermann?
Johanna Ackermann was a Jewish resident of Baden-Baden, born in 1903. Her Stolperstein at Stephanienstraße 5 marks her last self-chosen residence before she fled to England in 1939. The inscription reads:
HIER WOHNTE
JOHANNA ACKERMANN GEB. LAZAR
JG. 1903
FLUCHT 1939 ENGLAND
This stone serves as a testament to her story and as a symbol of countless others forced from their homes (Gedenkbuch Baden-Baden).
Practical Visitor Information
Location
- Address: Stephanienstraße 5, Baden-Baden, Germany (Stadtwiki Baden-Baden; Gedenkbuch Baden-Baden)
- Context: Centrally located, accessible on foot from the Altstadt and major attractions.
Visiting Hours and Tickets
- Hours: Stolpersteine are public memorials—accessible 24/7.
- Tickets: No tickets or admission fees are required.
Accessibility
- Street Level: The Stolperstein is flush with the pavement, generally accessible for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. Some sidewalks in the historic center may be uneven.
- Transportation: Baden-Baden is compact and walkable. Reach the site via public transport, taxi, or by foot. Parking is available in nearby garages, but walking or cycling is encouraged (Baden-Baden Tourist Information).
How to Approach Your Visit
- Pause and Reflect: Read the inscription and take a moment for personal reflection.
- Respectful Conduct: Avoid stepping directly on the plaque. Placing a small stone or flower is a traditional sign of remembrance.
- Photography: Discreet photography is permitted and can help share the story online.
- Cleaning: Locals and visitors sometimes gently clean the brass to keep the names visible.
Guided Tours and Educational Resources
- Guided Tours: Local organizations, schools, and the Baden-Baden Tourist Information offer walking tours focused on Jewish history and Stolpersteine. These are especially popular around Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27) and Kristallnacht anniversary (November 9).
- Self-Guided Tours: Use the Stolpersteine Guide app for maps and biographies.
- Audiala App: The Audiala app provides audio-guided tours and context for Stolpersteine and related sites.
Broader Historical and Cultural Significance
The Stolpersteine project is now the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust memorial, with more than 107,000 stones across over 1,000 European cities (Stolpersteine.eu; Wikipedia). Each stone personalizes the history of Nazi persecution, transforming statistics into individual stories and countering the erasure of victims’ identities.
Stolpersteine are often supported by schools, community organizations, and descendants, who sponsor stones and participate in installation ceremonies. Polishing the stones, reading the names, and leaving tokens are acts of active remembrance (folklife.si.edu).
Community Involvement and Educational Impact
The Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden are maintained by local volunteers and supported by educational programs. School projects, walking tours, and digital resources encourage ongoing engagement with the city’s history. The project’s participatory nature fosters a sense of collective responsibility and memory (Claudiatravels.com).
Etiquette and Remembrance Practices
- Leave Stones or Flowers: As a sign of respect, following Jewish tradition.
- Read Aloud: Speaking the names of victims out loud helps preserve their memory.
- Participate in Events: Join local ceremonies or cleaning events, especially on remembrance days.
Visuals and Media
Visitors can view images of the Stolperstein at Stephanienstraße 5 on Wikimedia Commons (Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden). Maps, biographies, and virtual tours are also available online.
Controversies and Ongoing Debates
While widely embraced, the Stolpersteine project has faced some criticism, particularly concerning the idea of memorials being walked upon. Some communities, such as Munich, have banned the installation in public spaces, opting for alternative memorials (lbi.org; abc.net.au). In Baden-Baden, however, the stones are respected and maintained as vital components of the city’s remembrance culture.
Nearby Historical Sites
Combine your visit with other cultural sites:
- Kurhaus and Casino
- Historic Altstadt (Old Town)
- Lichtentaler Allee Park
- Stadtmuseum Baden-Baden
- Museum Frieder Burda
These sites offer further insight into Baden-Baden’s rich history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are Stolpersteine accessible at all times?
Yes, they are public memorials accessible 24/7.
Do I need tickets?
No, there are no fees or tickets required.
Are guided tours available?
Yes. Check with the Baden-Baden Tourist Information for schedules.
Where can I find maps or lists of Stolpersteine?
Use the official Stolpersteine database, Stadtwiki Baden-Baden, or the Stolpersteine Guide app.
Digital Tools and Further Exploration
- Stolpersteine Guide App: Biographies and self-guided walking tours (Stolpersteine Guide app).
- Audiala App: Audio-guided tours and historical content (Audiala.com).
- Virtual Tours: Explore photo galleries and virtual maps online.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Visiting the Stolperstein for Johanna Ackermann in Baden-Baden is a simple yet profound act of remembrance. These stones invite us to confront history where it happened, honor those who suffered, and ensure that their names and stories endure. We encourage you to explore these memorials thoughtfully, participate in local events, and use digital resources for deeper understanding.
Download the Audiala app for audio-guided tours, follow local remembrance initiatives, and help keep the memory of victims like Johanna Ackermann alive for future generations.
Sources and Further Reading
- Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance. (2024). Arbeitskreis Stolpersteine Baden-Baden. (https://gedenkbuch.baden-baden.de/stolpersteine/arbeitskreis/)
- Visiting the Stolperstein for Johanna Ackermann in Baden-Baden: Location, History, and Visitor Tips. (2024). Travelsofadam.com. (https://travelsofadam.com/europe/germany/baden-baden/)
- Visiting Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden: History, Significance, and Visitor Guide. (2025). Claudiatravels.com. (https://claudiatravels.com/stumbling-stones-of-baden-baden/)
- Visiting the Stolperstein in Baden-Baden: Hours, Tickets, and Historical Guide. (2024). Stadtwiki Baden-Baden / Gedenkbuch Baden-Baden. (https://gedenkbuch.baden-baden.de/person/ackermann-johanna-geb-lazar/)
- Official Stolpersteine Project. (n.d.). (https://www.stolpersteine.eu/)
- Baden-Baden Tourist Office. (n.d.). (https://www.baden-baden.com/)
- Audiala App for Stolpersteine Audio-Guides. (n.d.). (https://audiala.com/)
