Stolperstein Dedicated To Lina Geismar

Stolperstein Lina Geismar Baden-Baden: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The Stolperstein dedicated to Lina Geismar in Baden-Baden stands as a deeply personal and accessible memorial, inviting visitors to engage with the memory of a Holocaust victim and the broader history of Nazi persecution. As part of the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust memorial project, this Stolperstein—like thousands of others—transforms a city sidewalk into a place of remembrance. This guide provides detailed historical context, practical information for visitors, and insights into meaningful ways to honor Lina Geismar’s memory during your visit.

About the Stolpersteine Project

Initiated by German artist Gunter Demnig in 1992, the Stolpersteine (German for “stumbling stones”) project is the world’s largest decentralized memorial to victims of National Socialism. Each Stolperstein is a small, 10 x 10 cm brass plaque set flush into the pavement outside the last freely chosen residence of individuals persecuted by the Nazi regime. The stones commemorate Jews, Sinti and Roma, people with disabilities, political dissidents, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, and others targeted during the Holocaust (DW.com, Stolpersteine.eu).

By June 2024, more than 116,000 Stolpersteine have been installed in 31 European countries, including over 200 in Baden-Baden alone (Stolpersteine.eu, goodnews4.de). Each stone is inscribed with the victim’s name, date of birth, date of deportation, fate, and—when known—the date and place of death, bringing individual stories into public consciousness and daily life.

Lina Geismar: Her Story

Lina Geismar (née Katz) was born on May 31, 1894, in Guxhagen near Kassel. She lived at Werderstraße 24 in Baden-Baden, working as a domestic servant. On October 22, 1940, Lina was deported to the Gurs internment camp in southern France—a fate shared by many Jews from southwestern Germany. In September 1942, she was transported via Drancy to Auschwitz, where she was murdered (Gedenkbuch Baden-Baden).

Her Stolperstein, installed on October 12, 2010, can be found at Werderstraße 24—the address of her last voluntary residence and the site from which her life was irreparably changed.

Visiting the Lina Geismar Stolperstein

Location and Directions

Address: Werderstraße 24, Baden-Baden, Germany (Gedenkbuch Baden-Baden)
Access: The site is within walking distance of Baden-Baden’s Old Town and is reachable by local bus lines. Parking is available nearby for those arriving by car.

Visiting Hours and Fees

Open Access: The Stolperstein is integrated into the public sidewalk and accessible 24/7, year-round.
Admission: There is no ticket or fee required—visiting is free of charge (Stolpersteine.eu).
Best Times: Quieter hours (early morning or late afternoon) allow for more contemplative visits.

Accessibility

Physical Access: The Stolperstein is set at pavement level and generally accessible to wheelchair users, though visitors should be mindful of typical urban obstacles like curbs (Stolpersteine Guide app).
Nearby Amenities: Cafés, shops, and restrooms are available in the Old Town, a short walk away.

Etiquette and Practices

Visitors are encouraged to:

Pause, bow, and read the inscription, reflecting on Lina’s life and fate.
Bring a soft cloth to gently clean the Stolperstein—an act of remembrance, especially on Holocaust Remembrance Day (Prague Views).
Place a small stone or flower beside the plaque, following Jewish tradition.
Take respectful photographs, being mindful of the residential setting.

Guided Tours and Events

Local organizations and the Baden-Baden Tourist Information periodically offer guided memory walks that include visits to Stolpersteine. These tours provide historical context and personal stories. Check for schedules and possible participation fees in advance.

Broader Historical Context and Community Involvement

Baden-Baden’s Stolpersteine project is supported by extensive research and community engagement. Local schools and organizations often take part in research, ceremonies, and ongoing maintenance of the stones (goodnews4.de). The city now hosts over 200 Stolpersteine, each marking the last address of a victim and transforming everyday places into sites of reflection (claudiatravels.com).

The Stolpersteine project’s guiding principle—“A person is only forgotten when his or her name is forgotten”—is realized through these personalized memorials, inviting ongoing engagement from residents and visitors alike (germany.info).

Additional Stolpersteine and Nearby Historical Sites

Other Stones: Baden-Baden features over 200 Stolpersteine, many within walking distance. Use the Stolpersteine Guide app or online maps for self-guided tours (Wikipedia).
Historical Sites: Complement your visit with stops at the Kurhaus, Lichtentaler Allee, Museum Frieder Burda, and the former synagogue site on Stephanienstraße.

Digital Tools and Interactive Resources

Stolpersteine Guide app: Provides interactive maps and detailed information on each stone in Baden-Baden and beyond.
Gedenkbuch Baden-Baden: Offers in-depth biographies and memorial documentation.

Rituals of Remembrance

Cleaning and Maintenance: On International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27) and Kristallnacht anniversary (November 9), community members, students, and relatives gather to clean and polish the stones, ensuring their continued visibility (Folklife Magazine).
Commemorative Ceremonies: Participation in or observation of these rituals deepens the visitor’s connection with the memorial.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the visiting hours for the Lina Geismar Stolperstein?
A: It is accessible at all times as a public memorial integrated into the sidewalk.

Q: Is there an admission fee?
A: No, there is no fee to visit.

Q: How do I get there by public transport?
A: Werderstraße 24 is served by local bus lines. Consult the Baden-Baden public transport website for details.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, check with Baden-Baden Tourist Information for current offerings.

Q: Can I take photos?
A: Yes, but please be respectful of the solemnity and residential setting.

Conclusion and Visitor Recommendations

Visiting the Stolperstein for Lina Geismar is a powerful act of remembrance and reflection, connecting you directly with the stories of those affected by the Holocaust. The memorial’s integration into public space, lack of barriers or fees, and the support of community and educational programs all contribute to a culture of living memory in Baden-Baden. Extend your visit to other historical sites, participate in remembrance rituals, and use digital resources to deepen your understanding.

By honoring Lina Geismar and others through these acts, you play a vital role in keeping their stories—and the lessons of history—alive for future generations.

Alt text: Stolperstein commemorating Lina Geismar embedded in the pavement at Werderstraße 24, Baden-Baden.

View on interactive map (opens in new tab)

Sources and Further Reading

Stolpersteine commemorating victims of Nazi persecution, 2023, Deutsche Welle (DW.com)
Lina Geismar and the Stolpersteine Project: A Comprehensive Visitor’s Guide to Baden-Baden Historical Sites and Holocaust Remembrance, 2024, Denkmalprojekt.org (Denkmalprojekt.org)
Stumbling Stones of Baden-Baden, 2024, Claudia Travels (claudiatravels.com)
Baden-Baden Stolpersteine Working Group, 2024, Gedenkbuch Baden-Baden (Gedenkbuch Baden-Baden)
Stolpersteine.eu - Facts and Figures, 2024, Stolpersteine.eu (Stolpersteine.eu)
Discovering Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Insights, 2023, GoodNews4.de (goodnews4.de)
Visiting the Lina Geismar Stolperstein in Baden-Baden: Hours, History, and Remembrance, 2024, Gedenkbuch Baden-Baden (Gedenkbuch Baden-Baden)
Stolpersteine Guide App, 2024 (Stolpersteine Guide app)
Baden-Baden Tourist Information, 2024 (Baden-Baden Tourist Information)
Folklife Magazine – Stumbling Stones Holocaust Memorials, 2023 (Folklife Magazine)
Germany.info - Jewish Life in Germany, 2024 (germany.info)