Stolperstein memorial stone dedicated to Katharina Preis in Baden-Baden Germany

Stolperstein Dedicated To Katharina Preis

Stolperstein Katharina Preis, Baden-Baden: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance

Date: 03/07/2025

Introduction

Baden-Baden, a city celebrated for its spa culture and architectural heritage, stands as a living testament to the resilience of memory through the Stolpersteine project—a Europe-wide decentralized memorial initiative. Among the Stolpersteine embedded in the city’s pavements is the stone commemorating Katharina Preis, a Jewish victim of Nazi persecution. These small brass plaques, installed at the last freely chosen residences of the victims, serve as powerful reminders of individual lives lost to the atrocities of the National Socialist regime. Conceived in 1992 by German artist Gunter Demnig, the Stolpersteine project is now the largest decentralized memorial in the world, with over 107,000 stones laid across Europe as of 2024 (Stolpersteine.eu).

This guide presents a thorough overview for visitors interested in the Stolperstein dedicated to Katharina Preis. It includes the historical and cultural context of the Stolpersteine project, details on Katharina Preis’s life and legacy, practical visiting tips, accessibility information, and suggestions for enriching your visit through nearby sites and educational resources. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or seeking a meaningful way to connect with the past, this guide will ensure a respectful and informed experience.

Historical Background of Stolpersteine
Origins and Conceptual Development
Expansion, Scale, and Purpose
The Life and Fate of Katharina Preis
Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden: Cultural Significance and Community Involvement
Visiting the Stolperstein for Katharina Preis
Location, Accessibility, and Admission
Guided Tours and Educational Resources
Practical Tips and Etiquette
Nearby Attractions and Broader Experience
Controversies and Preservation Efforts
Educational and Cultural Impact
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion and Additional Resources

Historical Background of Stolpersteine

Origins and Conceptual Development

The Stolpersteine (“stumbling stones”) project was conceived by Gunter Demnig in 1992. The initial installations commemorated Sinti and Roma victims of Nazi deportations from Cologne. By 1993, Demnig extended the concept, placing hand-inscribed brass plaques in front of the last freely chosen homes of individuals persecuted by the Nazis—restoring names and stories erased by the regime (Leo Baeck Institute). Stolpersteine memorialize not only Jewish victims but also Sinti and Roma, political opponents, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, people with disabilities, and others.

Each plaque (96 x 96 mm, on a concrete base) is engraved with the victim’s name, date of birth, fate, and, when known, the date and place of death. The stones are set flush with the pavement, symbolically integrating remembrance into everyday urban life (Stolpersteine.eu).

Expansion, Scale, and Purpose

Since its inception, the Stolpersteine project has grown rapidly. By May 2023, the 100,000th Stolperstein had been installed in Nuremberg. The project now encompasses over 1,900 municipalities in 21 European countries (Stolpersteine.eu). Local initiatives, often led by schools or community groups, are central to the research and installation process, fostering community engagement with history.

The Stolpersteine’s guiding principle is embodied by the Talmudic saying, “A person is only forgotten when his or her name is forgotten.” The project’s mission is to restore the identities of the victims and integrate their memory into the fabric of daily life (IamExpat).

The Life and Fate of Katharina Preis

Katharina Preis (often referred to as Käthe) was born on June 11, 1913, in Saarbrücken and raised in Kaiserslautern. She was one of twin daughters in a Jewish family managing a tobacco and spirits business. The family’s life was upended by the Nazi rise to power, forcing them to relocate several times due to escalating antisemitic persecution (Memorial Book Neu-Isenburg).

Katharina spent time in Baden-Baden and Neu-Isenburg, where she was a student at the Home of the Jewish Women’s Association before the November pogrom (Kristallnacht) in 1938. Her life and tragic fate—like those of so many—are now memorialized in Baden-Baden, ensuring her story is not forgotten.

Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden: Cultural Significance and Community Involvement

Baden-Baden, with its cosmopolitan heritage and vibrant pre-war Jewish community, has been actively involved in the Stolpersteine project since 2008. The initiative was spearheaded by historian Angelika Schindler and the Arbeitskreis Stolpersteine Baden-Baden (Arbeitskreis Stolpersteine Baden-Baden). The city now hosts 142 Stolpersteine, each a silent testimony to the individuals who once called it home (Claudia Travels).

Community engagement is central: school groups, volunteers, and relatives participate in research, installation ceremonies, and ongoing maintenance. Public ceremonies often include biographical readings, music, and moments of silence, reinforcing collective remembrance.

Visiting the Stolperstein for Katharina Preis

Location, Accessibility, and Admission

The Stolperstein for Katharina Preis is embedded in the pavement at her last freely chosen address in Baden-Baden. Exact location details can be found through the Stolpersteine.eu Database or at the Baden-Baden Tourist Information.

Visiting Hours: Open 24/7. As the stone is in a public sidewalk, there are no restrictions.
Tickets/Admission: No tickets are required; admission is free.
Accessibility: The site is wheelchair accessible, though some sidewalks may be uneven.

Guided Tours and Educational Resources

Guided Stolperstein walks are available through local historical societies and the tourist office. Self-guided tours are facilitated by online maps and the Stolpersteine Guide app, which offers biographies and suggested routes.

Practical Tips and Etiquette

When to Visit: Daylight hours are recommended for safety and visibility.
How to Behave: Approach quietly. Bowing to read the inscription is a symbolic gesture of respect.
Tokens: It is customary to leave a small stone or flower beside the plaque (Folklife Magazine).
Photography: Discreet photos are permitted—respect the solemnity and privacy of residents.

Nearby Attractions and Broader Experience

Augment your visit by exploring Baden-Baden’s Old Town, the Kurhaus, Museum Frieder Burda, the Roman Bath Ruins, and the memorial to the destroyed synagogue (Adventures of Alice). These sites enrich your understanding of the city’s layered history.

Controversies and Preservation Efforts

The Stolpersteine project, while widely respected, has faced criticism. Some communities, notably in Munich, have declined to embed memorials in pavements, citing concerns over disrespect (Leo Baeck Institute). Alternative forms, such as wall plaques or steles, are used in these locations.

Vandalism and theft remain issues; approximately 900 Stolpersteine have been reported stolen as of 2024 (Wikipedia). Community-driven maintenance, cleaning, and regular ceremonies underscore the collective commitment to preservation (Folklife Magazine).

Educational and Cultural Impact

Stolpersteine are vital tools for education and engagement. Schools integrate them into curricula, and students often participate in research and ceremonies. The project encourages empathy and a deeper understanding of the dangers of intolerance (Stolpersteine.eu; IamExpat).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where is the Stolperstein for Katharina Preis?
It is in the pavement at her last known residence. Consult the Stolpersteine.eu Database or Baden-Baden Tourist Information for the exact address.

Are there set visiting hours or fees?
No. Stolpersteine are accessible at all times and free to visit.

Are guided tours available?
Yes, through local organizations and the tourist office. The Stolpersteine Guide app also offers self-guided options.

Is it accessible for people with disabilities?
Yes, most stones are installed on accessible sidewalks.

Can I leave a token or take photos?
Yes. Leave small stones or flowers as a mark of respect; discreet photography is permitted.

Conclusion and Final Tips

Visiting the Stolperstein for Katharina Preis in Baden-Baden is a powerful act of remembrance, connecting past and present through a simple yet profound memorial. The project’s grassroots nature and community involvement ensure that the victims’ names and stories endure. With unrestricted access, no fees, and educational resources available, every visitor can engage meaningfully in this living tradition of memory.

Enhance your visit by exploring Baden-Baden’s cultural sites, participating in guided tours, and learning more through resources such as the Stolpersteine official website, Arbeitskreis Stolpersteine Baden-Baden, and Baden-Baden Tourist Information.

By bearing witness at the Stolperstein for Katharina Preis, you honor not only her memory but the ongoing imperative to resist intolerance and uphold human dignity.