Stolperstein memorial stone dedicated to Leopold Less in Baden-Baden, Germany

Stolperstein Dedicated To Leopold Less

Stolperstein Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Guide for Leopold Less in Baden-Baden, Germany

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction to the Stolperstein for Leopold Less in Baden-Baden

The Stolperstein memorial dedicated to Leopold Less in Baden-Baden, Germany, offers a powerful opportunity to engage with the city’s history and the personal stories of its Jewish residents targeted during the Holocaust. These small brass plaques—part of the Stolpersteine project initiated by artist Gunter Demnig—are embedded in pavements across Europe to commemorate individuals persecuted by the Nazi regime. With over 107,000 stones installed in 30+ countries, this decentralized memorial brings remembrance into daily life, challenging passersby to pause and reflect on the lives disrupted by Nazi terror (Stolpersteine.eu; BBC Travel; Wikipedia).

The Stolperstein for Leopold Less is located at Vincentistraße 25, marking his last freely chosen residence. Born in 1863, Less was deported in 1940 during the Wagner-Bürckel Aktion and died shortly thereafter. His Stolperstein stands as a testament not only to his life but also to the broader Jewish experience in Baden-Baden, alongside stones for his wife Else and other victims (Gedenkbuch Baden-Baden; TracesOfWar).

This article provides a detailed visitor’s guide covering the memorial’s history, significance, accessibility, and nearby attractions, ensuring a meaningful and respectful visit.

Introduction
Origins and Development of the Stolpersteine Project
Symbolism and Cultural Significance
Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden: Honoring Leopold Less
How to Visit Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden
Finding Stolpersteine
Visiting Hours and Accessibility
Guided Tours and Special Events
Nearby Attractions
Educational Value and Acts of Remembrance
FAQs
Practical Visitor Information
Conclusion and Recommendations
Sources

Origins and Development of the Stolpersteine Project

The Stolpersteine (“stumbling stones”) project began in 1992 when German artist Gunter Demnig laid the first stones in Cologne to commemorate Sinti and Roma victims of the Nazis. The project soon expanded to honor Jewish victims and other persecuted groups, including political dissidents, Jehovah’s Witnesses, the disabled, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Each Stolperstein is a concrete cube topped by a brass plate bearing the name and basic details of a victim. These stones are placed in front of victims’ last self-chosen residences, workplaces, or schools, integrating remembrance into the urban landscape and daily routine (Wikipedia).

As of 2024, over 107,000 stones have been installed in nearly 1,900 communities across 21 countries, making Stolpersteine the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust memorial (Stolpersteine.eu; BBC Travel).

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

The term “Stolperstein” encourages people to metaphorically “stumble” upon history, sparking moments of reflection and remembrance in everyday life. The ground-level placement not only references the desecration of Jewish cemeteries during the Nazi era but also ensures that the act of remembrance is accessible and personal.

Stolpersteine personalize the tragedy of the Holocaust by restoring names and stories to victims, countering the anonymity imposed by their persecutors. The stones function as both intimate memorials and educational tools, fostering ongoing dialogue about human rights, remembrance, and the dangers of intolerance (Prague Views).

Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden: Honoring Leopold Less

Early Life and Background

Leopold Less was born on August 18, 1863, in Rößel (East Prussia). Before relocating to Baden-Baden in 1936, he served as the Vice Consul of Argentina in Königsberg. He moved to Vincentistraße 25 with his wife, Else Less (née Grünbaum), as Nazi persecution of Jews intensified (Gedenkbuch Baden-Baden).

Persecution and Deportation

On October 22, 1940, during the Wagner-Bürckel Aktion, Leopold and Else Less were deported from Baden-Baden to the Gurs internment camp in southern France. The journey was arduous, and Leopold Less died in Toulouse just days after deportation, on October 25, 1940. Else Less survived the camp (TracesOfWar).

The Stolperstein Memorial

On January 27, 2009, Stolpersteine for Leopold and Else Less were installed at Vincentistraße 25. The inscription for Leopold Less reads:

HIER WOHNTE
LEOPOLD LESS
JG. 1863
DEPORTIERT 1940
GURS
TOT 25.10.1940

This memorial is part of a network of over 220 Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden, each standing as a silent witness to the lives and fates of the city’s persecuted residents (Wikipedia: Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden).

How to Visit Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden

Finding Stolpersteine

The Stolperstein for Leopold Less is located at Vincentistraße 25, in central Baden-Baden. Additional stones are scattered throughout the city, marking the last residences of other victims. Local tourist offices and the Audiala app provide maps and interactive guides for locating Stolpersteine and related memorials.

Visiting Hours and Accessibility

Hours: Stolpersteine are accessible 24/7, year-round.
Admission: Free; no tickets required.
Accessibility: The stones are flush with the pavement and accessible to wheelchair users. However, be mindful of some uneven sidewalks in the area.

Guided Tours and Special Events

Baden-Baden’s Tourist Information Center and various local organizations occasionally offer guided tours centered on the Stolpersteine and the city’s Jewish history. These tours provide deeper historical context and highlight the stories behind each memorial. Commemorative events, such as Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27), include ceremonies and stone-cleaning activities open to the public (Stadtwiki Baden-Baden).

Nearby Attractions

Altstadt (Old Town): Explore Baden-Baden’s historic core, just a short walk from Vincentistraße.
Stiftskirche: The city’s oldest church, offering insights into local history.
Kurhaus and Casino: Iconic symbols of Baden-Baden’s spa and leisure heritage.
Baden-Baden Museum: Exhibits on the city’s past, including Jewish heritage.
Jewish Cemetery: Another site of remembrance near the city center (Germany Footsteps).

Educational Value and Acts of Remembrance

Stolpersteine serve as catalysts for learning and reflection, inviting visitors and residents to engage directly with history. Schools, community groups, and individuals in Baden-Baden often research the biographies of those commemorated and organize ceremonies or cleaning events at the stones. Placing a small stone or flower on a Stolperstein is a traditional act of remembrance, drawing from Jewish custom and symbolizing that the person has been visited and remembered (Prague Views).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the visiting hours for the Stolperstein for Leopold Less?
A: The memorial is outdoors and accessible at all times.

Q: Is there an admission fee?
A: No, Stolpersteine are public and free to visit.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, guided tours are occasionally available through local organizations and the Tourist Information Center.

Q: Is the site wheelchair accessible?
A: Yes, though some sidewalks in the area may be uneven.

Q: Can I take photographs?
A: Yes, respectful photography is encouraged.

Q: How can I participate in remembrance activities?
A: Join local cleaning and remembrance events, often held on Holocaust Remembrance Day or organized by community groups.

Practical Visitor Information

Location: Vincentistraße 25, Baden-Baden, Germany (TracesOfWar)
Coordinates: 48.760689, 8.246744
Getting There: Easily accessible from the city center; short walk from public transport stops at “Leopoldsplatz.”
Etiquette: Do not stand or sit on the stone. Pause, read the inscription, and consider leaving a flower or small stone as a tribute.
For More Information: Use the Audiala app or consult the Tourist Information Center for maps and details about events.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Visiting the Stolperstein for Leopold Less at Vincentistraße 25 is a meaningful way to honor the memory of Holocaust victims and connect with Baden-Baden’s history. The Stolpersteine project transforms the streets into living memorials—reminding us that each name represents a life, a family, and a story worth remembering.

To enrich your visit, explore additional Stolpersteine and historic sites nearby, participate in guided tours or commemorative events, and use digital resources like the Audiala app for audio tours and interactive maps. Your presence and reflection at these memorials help ensure that the stories of Leopold Less and countless others continue to resonate for generations.

Alt text: Brass Stolperstein memorial plaque for Leopold Less installed in the pavement at Vincentistraße 25, Baden-Baden

Alt text: Map highlighting Vincentistraße 25 in Baden-Baden where the Leopold Less Stolperstein is located