Stolperstein memorial stone dedicated to Salomon Baer embedded in the pavement of Baden-Baden, Germany

Stolperstein Dedicated To Salomon Baer

Stolperstein Salomon Baer Baden-Baden: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance

Date: 03/07/2025

Introduction

The Stolperstein (stumbling stone) dedicated to Salomon Baer in Baden-Baden, Germany, stands as a deeply moving, tangible link to the town’s Jewish history and the broader narrative of the Holocaust. Conceived by German artist Gunter Demnig in 1992, the Stolpersteine project embeds small, hand-inscribed brass plaques in the pavement at the last voluntarily chosen residences of victims of Nazi persecution, transforming ordinary city streets into sites of remembrance (Stolpersteine.eu). Today, over 116,000 of these stones exist across Europe, each preserving a personal story and fostering a culture of reflection.

Salomon Baer was a respected Jewish physician in Baden-Baden, deported during the Wagner-Bürckel Aktion in 1940, and perished in the Gurs internment camp. His Stolperstein, located at Bahnhofstraße 13 in the Oos district, not only honors his life but also serves as a gateway to exploring the area’s Jewish heritage, the devastating impact of the Holocaust, and the ongoing commitment to remembrance (Claudia Travels). This guide offers detailed historical context, practical visitor information, and ways to engage meaningfully with this unique memorial and the broader landscape of Jewish cultural sites in Baden-Baden.

Origins of the Stolpersteine Project
Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden: Locations and Visitor Information
The Story of Salomon Baer and the Lehmann Family
Personalization and Local Memory
Community Involvement and Educational Impact
Controversies and Ongoing Debates
Digital Resources and Further Exploration
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Jewish Heritage Sites in Baden-Baden: Visitor Guide
Summary and Recommendations
Sources

Origins of the Stolpersteine Project

The Stolpersteine project began in 1992 as a decentralized memorial to victims of Nazi persecution. Each Stolperstein consists of a 10x10 cm brass plaque inscribed with the victim’s name, date of birth, fate, and, when known, date and place of death. The project’s name conveys both a literal and symbolic meaning—while the stones are flush with the pavement, their presence prompts passersby to “stumble” emotionally, inspiring remembrance and reflection (Germany.info).

Since its inception, the project has grown into the world’s largest decentralized memorial, with more than 116,000 stones installed in 31 European countries as of 2024 (Stolpersteine.eu). The memorials are typically sponsored by local communities, descendants, or organizations, and each stone is handcrafted by Demnig’s team.

Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden: Locations and Visitor Information

Key Locations

Baden-Baden has actively participated in the Stolpersteine project since 2008. Most stones are found in the city center and neighborhoods such as the Oos district. Notable addresses include Friedrichstraße 75 and Bahnhofstraße 13, the latter being the last residence of Salomon Baer (Gedenkbuch Baden-Baden).

Visiting Hours and Access

Hours: Stolpersteine are embedded in public sidewalks and accessible 24/7.
Admission: Free; no tickets or reservations are required.

Accessibility

Most Stolpersteine locations are wheelchair accessible, though some sidewalks may be uneven. Visitors with mobility concerns should exercise caution and may benefit from guided tours.

Guided Tours and Educational Resources

Local organizations and the Baden-Baden tourist office occasionally offer guided walking tours that include historical context and stories behind the stones. For more information, visit the Arbeitskreis Stolpersteine Baden-Baden.

Nearby Attractions

Other sites of Jewish and cultural significance in Baden-Baden include:

Old Synagogue site
Jewish Cemetery
Museum Frieder Burda
Stadtmuseum Baden-Baden (Claudia Travels)

The Story of Salomon Baer and the Lehmann Family

Salomon Baer (sometimes referred to as Salomon Lehmann) was born January 2, 1868, and lived at Friedrichstraße 75. He was a dedicated physician and an integral member of the Jewish community. Persecuted under Nazi rule, Baer was arrested during the Wagner-Bürckel Aktion in 1940 and deported to Gurs internment camp in France, where he died on November 16, 1940 (Jüdisches Kuppenheim).

The broader Lehmann family, including Mina Lion and their housekeeper Amalie Herz, also faced persecution and deportation. Their stories, commemorated by Stolpersteine, illustrate the fate of many local Jewish families during the Holocaust.

Personalization and Local Memory

Stolpersteine are installed at victims’ last freely chosen addresses, personalizing remembrance and embedding individual histories in the cityscape. Reading these names transforms abstract historical tragedies into intimate, human stories—making it clear that these were neighbors, not anonymous victims (Germany.info).

Community Involvement and Educational Impact

Baden-Baden’s Stolpersteine project is deeply rooted in community engagement. Local schools often research and present victims’ biographies during installation ceremonies. The project includes lectures, exhibitions, and tours, often enhanced by music, literature, and art, deepening the emotional and educational impact (Gedenkbuch Baden-Baden).

Controversies and Ongoing Debates

Some critics argue that placing memorials in pavements, where they might be stepped on, is disrespectful. This has led to bans or alternative forms of commemoration in some cities, such as Munich (LBI News). Nonetheless, the project continues to expand, with thousands of new stones installed annually (Stolpersteine.eu).

Digital Resources and Further Exploration

For self-guided tours and additional context, visitors can use the Stolpersteine Guide app. The app and online platforms provide biographies, maps, and walking routes. Local organizations and the Baden-Baden tourist office also offer resources and event updates (Claudia Travels).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are Stolpersteine?
Small brass plaques commemorating victims of Nazi persecution, placed at their last freely chosen residences.

Can I visit Stolpersteine at any time?
Yes, they are publicly accessible 24/7 and free of charge.

Are guided tours available?
Yes, occasionally. Contact the Baden-Baden tourist office or Arbeitskreis Stolpersteine Baden-Baden for details.

Are the locations wheelchair accessible?
Most are, but some areas may have uneven surfaces.

Jewish Heritage Sites in Baden-Baden: Visitor Guide

Jewish Life Before the Holocaust

Baden-Baden’s Jewish community flourished from the 19th century, contributing significantly to the town’s prosperity and culture. The Grand Synagogue, built in 1899, symbolized this vibrancy (ABC News).

The Holocaust and Its Aftermath

The community suffered devastating losses during the Nazi era. The Grand Synagogue was destroyed during Kristallnacht in 1938, and most Jewish residents were deported and murdered.

Key Sites and Memorials

Grand Synagogue Site: Now a memorial marking the synagogue’s destruction.
Jewish Cemetery: A testament to the town’s once-thriving Jewish community.
Holocaust Memorials: Stolpersteine and other plaques throughout the city.

Practical Visitor Information

Hours: Most outdoor memorials are accessible around the clock; museums typically open 10 AM–5 PM.
Tickets: Outdoor sites are free; museum entry requires a modest ticket.
Accessibility: Most sites are accessible; some older cemeteries may have uneven ground.
Guided Tours: Available through the tourist office and local providers.
Photography: Allowed; please be respectful, especially near residences.
Nearby Attractions: Spa facilities, historic architecture, and scenic landscapes enhance any visit (Stadtmuseum Baden-Baden; Germany Footsteps).

Summary and Recommendations

The Stolperstein for Salomon Baer is a meaningful, accessible memorial that transforms Baden-Baden’s everyday landscape into a site of remembrance. It honors Baer’s life and the many others persecuted under the Nazi regime, while encouraging reflection and respectful engagement with history. Visitors are invited to explore not only this Stolperstein but also the city’s other Jewish heritage sites, participate in guided tours, and join commemorative events (Gedenkbuch Baden-Baden; Claudia Travels).

For an enriched experience, download the Stolpersteine Guide app or the Audiala audio tour, and stay updated with local heritage organizations. In engaging with these memorials, visitors honor the past, foster a living culture of remembrance, and contribute to the ongoing fight against forgetting (Germany.info; Folklife Magazine).