Stolperstein memorial stone dedicated to Louis Weil, Frieda and Irma Kayem in Baden-Baden, Germany

Stolperstein Dedicated To Louis Weil

Stolperstein Louis Weil Baden-Baden: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Guide

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The Stolperstein dedicated to Louis Weil in Baden-Baden, Germany, is a poignant, deeply personal memorial embedded in the city’s streetscape. As part of the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust memorial project, each Stolperstein (or “stumbling stone”) commemorates an individual victim of Nazi persecution, restoring their names and stories to public memory. Conceived by German artist Gunter Demnig in the early 1990s, more than 116,000 Stolpersteine have been installed across 31 European countries as of 2024, including several in Baden-Baden (Stolpersteine.eu; Germany.info).

The Stolperstein for Louis Weil, located at Stephanienstraße 5, marks the last freely chosen residence of a man born in 1858, who was deported to the Gurs internment camp in 1940 and died there in 1941. This memorial, along with others in Baden-Baden, invites visitors to reflect on the human cost of hatred and intolerance, and to engage with history in a personal, tangible way (ABC News; Wikimedia Commons).

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the Stolperstein for Louis Weil, including historical context, practical visitor information, and suggestions for meaningful engagement with this unique memorial and related sites in Baden-Baden.

What Is a Stolperstein?
History and Philosophy of the Stolpersteine Project
Visiting the Stolperstein for Louis Weil
Historical Significance and Community Engagement
- Biography of Louis Weil
- Educational and Community Initiatives
Nearby Historical Sites and Attractions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Visitor Resources and Visuals
Summary and Call to Action
References and Further Reading

What Is a Stolperstein?

Stolpersteine, or “stumbling stones,” are small, brass-plated concrete cubes—each inscribed with a victim’s name, birth year, fate, and, where known, date and place of death. They are embedded into the pavement in front of the last freely chosen residence of Holocaust victims, restoring individuality and dignity to those lost (Germany.info). The decentralized nature of the project means that these stones are found in everyday settings, encouraging passersby to “stumble” across history and remembrance.

As of 2024, over 116,000 Stolpersteine have been installed in more than 1,860 municipalities across 31 countries (Stolpersteine.eu). Each stone is handcrafted, making every memorial personal and unique.

History and Philosophy of the Stolpersteine Project

German artist Gunter Demnig initiated the Stolpersteine project in the early 1990s, inspired by a Talmudic saying: “A person is only forgotten when his or her name is forgotten.” The first stone was laid in 1992, and the project quickly expanded to commemorate victims of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution, including Jews, Roma, Sinti, people with disabilities, political prisoners, and others (ABC News).

Demnig personally attends many installations, and the act of kneeling to read the inscription is a symbolic gesture of remembrance. The project’s grassroots, decentralized approach fosters community involvement and personalizes memorialization, transforming abstract history into individual stories (Germany.info).

Visiting the Stolperstein for Louis Weil

Exact Location and Accessibility

Address: Stephanienstraße 5, Baden-Baden
Accessibility: The stone is set in the public sidewalk and is accessible 24/7, with no entrance fees or restrictive visiting hours.
How to Get There: Easily reached by foot from the city center. Public transport and parking facilities are nearby.

Visiting Tips

Spotting the Stone: Stolpersteine are modest and may be overlooked; look down while walking and watch for the brass plaque.
Reading the Inscription: Louis Weil’s stone reads:
“Hier wohnte Louis Weil, Jg. 1858, deportiert 1940, Gurs, tot 29.5.1941.”
(“Here lived Louis Weil, born 1858, deported 1940, Gurs, died 29.5.1941.“)
Paying Respects: Many visitors clean the stone or leave flowers. Visiting during daylight ensures the inscription is clearly visible.
Accessibility: The sidewalk is generally suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.

Enhancing Your Visit: Apps and Local Resources

Stolpersteine Guide App: Provides biographies, walking routes, and maps of Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden and other cities.
Stadtmuseum Baden-Baden: Offers exhibitions and archives on the city’s Jewish history and the Stolperstein project.
Local Tours: Some organizations and museums arrange guided tours—check their websites or local tourism offices for schedules.

Historical Significance and Community Engagement

Biography of Louis Weil

Louis Weil was born in 1858 in Bühl and moved to Baden-Baden in 1872. He served as a synagogue attendant. During the November Pogrom (Kristallnacht) in 1938, the synagogue was destroyed, and his home was left without utilities. In 1940, he was deported to the Gurs internment camp in France, where he died in 1941. His Stolperstein restores his name and story to public memory, representing countless others whose lives were shattered by Nazi persecution.

Educational and Community Initiatives

Baden-Baden’s Stolpersteine installations are often initiated by local families, historians, or organizations, with involvement from schools and community groups. Students research biographies, create exhibitions, and participate in installations, while museums provide educational resources and host related events (Germany.info). These activities foster a culture of remembrance and civic responsibility.

Nearby Historical Sites and Attractions

Stadtmuseum Baden-Baden: Exhibits on Jewish history and the Stolperstein project.
Former Synagogue Site: Though destroyed in 1938, it remains a focal point for remembrance.
Other Stolpersteine: Additional stones across Baden-Baden commemorate other victims.
Jewish Community Memorial: Centrally located, featuring plaques, sculptures, and educational panels (Wikimedia Commons).
Kurhaus, Roman Bath Ruins, Lichtentaler Allee: Other significant cultural and historical attractions nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are there any costs or tickets required to visit Stolpersteine?
A: No. Stolpersteine are publicly accessible memorials, free to visit at any time.

Q: Can I join a guided tour?
A: Yes. Local organizations and museums offer guided walking tours that include Stolpersteine and other historical sites.

Q: Are the Stolpersteine accessible for people with mobility issues?
A: Yes, as they are in pavements, but visitors should be mindful of street conditions.

Q: How can I find more Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden?
A: Use the Stolpersteine Guide app or check with the Stadtmuseum and local tourist offices.

Visitor Resources and Visuals

Stolpersteine Guide App: Download here
Images & Maps: Available on Wikimedia Commons and the Stadtmuseum Baden-Baden website.
Official Tourism Information: Baden-Baden Tourism

Summary and Call to Action

Visiting the Stolperstein for Louis Weil in Baden-Baden is a profound opportunity to connect with an individual story amidst the vast narrative of the Holocaust. This modest brass plaque at Stephanienstraße 5 transforms public space into a site of reflection and remembrance, embodying the philosophy that “remembrance begins with a name” (Stolpersteine.eu; Germany.info).

Baden-Baden’s commitment to remembrance is reflected in its community involvement, educational initiatives, and related historical sites. Enhance your visit by using the Stolpersteine Guide app, exploring nearby memorials, or joining a guided tour. By pausing to honor Louis Weil and others, you contribute to an enduring legacy of memory, empathy, and dialogue.

For a deeper experience, download the Stolpersteine Guide app, visit the Stadtmuseum, and follow local institutions on social media for updates and events.