Visiting the Stolperstein Dedicated to Thekla Isaacsohn in Baden-Baden, Germany: Visitor Information and History
Date: 03/07/2025
Introduction
A visit to the Stolperstein dedicated to Thekla Isaacsohn in Baden-Baden offers a profound experience of remembrance and reflection. Stolpersteine—German for “stumbling stones”—are small brass plaques embedded in sidewalks across Europe, commemorating victims of Nazi persecution by marking their last freely chosen residences or workplaces. Initiated by artist Gunter Demnig in 1992, the Stolpersteine project integrates remembrance into daily life, fostering reflection and honoring the individuality of Holocaust victims (stolpersteine.eu, en.wikipedia.org).
The Stolperstein for Thekla Isaacsohn is located at Werderstraße 24 in Baden-Baden, marking the site of the Jewish Women’s Convalescent Home, where Isaacsohn served as the last head nurse before her deportation and death during World War II. This memorial not only preserves the memory of Isaacsohn’s dedication to nursing and care but also serves as a reminder of the broader Jewish community’s suffering and resilience in Baden-Baden (juedische-pflegegeschichte.de, gedenkbuch.baden-baden.de).
Visitors can engage with the city’s layered history through these accessible public memorials, open at all times with no admission fees. The local Arbeitskreis Stolpersteine offers educational programs, guided tours, and commemorative events that enrich the visitor experience and foster community involvement. This guide provides comprehensive information on the history, significance, location, and practical aspects of visiting the Stolperstein dedicated to Thekla Isaacsohn, ensuring a respectful and meaningful engagement with this vital piece of Holocaust remembrance (gedenkbuch.baden-baden.de, stolpersteine.eu).
Origins and Development of the Stolpersteine Project
The Stolpersteine project began in 1992 as an art intervention by Gunter Demnig, initially commemorating Romani victims in Cologne. The project expanded rapidly after the first installations, reaching Berlin and, by 1997, Austria, gradually spreading throughout Europe. Today, over 116,000 Stolpersteine are installed in more than 1,860 municipalities across 31 countries, making it the world’s largest decentralized memorial (worldwariimonuments.org, en.wikipedia.org, stolpersteine.eu).
Purpose and Philosophy
Stolpersteine commemorate individuals persecuted or murdered by the Nazi regime—Jews, Roma, Sinti, political prisoners, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others. Each brass-plated stone, inscribed with the victim’s name and fate, is placed at their last freely chosen residence or workplace. The name “Stolperstein” (“stumbling stone”) is a double entendre: while it refers to a literal stumbling block, it also invites metaphorical reflection and remembrance (en.wikipedia.org, germany.info).
Unlike centralized monuments, Stolpersteine are integrated into everyday pavements, making remembrance an unavoidable part of daily life and embedding memory into the fabric of communities.
Artistic and Symbolic Dimensions
Stolpersteine reference the desecration of Jewish cemeteries during the Nazi era, when gravestones were repurposed as paving stones. Their placement in streets where victims once lived honors their memory and confronts society with the realities of historical atrocities. The stones’ exposure to weather and daily wear symbolizes the ongoing responsibility to remember. Communities often clean the stones and commemorate significant anniversaries with flowers or candles (en.wikipedia.org).
Thekla Isaacsohn and the Stolperstein in Baden-Baden
Who Was Thekla Isaacsohn?
Thekla Isaacsohn (née Mandel, 1867–1941) was a pioneering Jewish nurse and the last head nurse (Oberin) of the Jewish Women’s Convalescent Home in Baden-Baden. Born in Lippstadt, she was one of the first professionally trained Jewish nurses in Germany, holding leadership positions in Frankfurt and Baden-Baden (juedische-pflegegeschichte.de).
The Jewish Women’s Convalescent Home
Located at Werderstraße 24, this institution provided sanctuary and care for Jewish women during the interwar period. Under Isaacsohn’s compassionate leadership, the home became a symbol of solidarity and resistance. In 1940, during the Wagner-Bürckel Aktion, Isaacsohn was deported to the Gurs internment camp in southern France, where she died in 1941 (juedische-pflegegeschichte.de, p.10; gedenkbuch.baden-baden.de).
Stolpersteine at Werderstraße 24
In 2010, six Stolpersteine were laid at Werderstraße 24, honoring Thekla Isaacsohn and five colleagues from the home who were deported and murdered during the Holocaust. Their names and fates are inscribed on individual stones, ensuring their stories remain part of Baden-Baden’s living memory (juedische-pflegegeschichte.de, p.10).
Practical Visitor Information
Location
Address: Werderstraße 24, 76530 Baden-Baden, Germany
This address is a short walk from the city center and close to major landmarks such as the Kurhaus and Lichtentaler Allee (Mapcarta).
Accessibility and Getting There
- Public Transport: Accessible by local buses from Baden-Baden train station (approx. 3 km away).
- By Car: Public parking is available nearby.
- On Foot: The site is easily reached from the Old Town and other historical attractions.
- Wheelchair Access: The Stolperstein is flush with the sidewalk, and most adjacent sidewalks are accessible.
Visiting Hours and Tickets
- Open 24/7: As a public memorial, the Stolperstein can be visited at any time.
- Admission: Free of charge; no tickets or reservations required.
Guided Tours and Events
The Arbeitskreis Stolpersteine Baden-Baden organizes guided tours and educational events, especially around Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27) and other commemorative dates. Contact them for up-to-date schedules.
What to Expect at the Site
The Stolperstein for Thekla Isaacsohn reads:
Hier wohnte und arbeitete
Thekla Isaacsohn geb. Mandel
JG 1869 [sic!]
deportiert 1940 Gurs
tot 3.5.1941
This inscription notes her life, professional role, deportation, and death. The “[sic!]” indicates a minor discrepancy in her birth year, with some sources listing 1867 (juedische-pflegegeschichte.de, p.10).
Visitors will find the Stolperstein embedded in the sidewalk, sometimes accompanied by small stones, flowers, or candles left as tributes.
Visitor Etiquette and Tips
- Pause and Read: Bowing slightly to read the inscription honors the individual.
- Respect the Site: Avoid standing or sitting on the stone.
- Photography: Discreet photos are welcome; do not block the walkway.
- Tributes: Leave a small stone, flower, or candle as a sign of remembrance.
- Cleaning: Community members may clean Stolpersteine with a soft cloth; visitors may participate respectfully, especially during organized events.
Enhancing Your Visit: Nearby Attractions
- Other Stolpersteine: Werderstraße 24 features five additional Stolpersteine for colleagues of Thekla Isaacsohn who were also victims of Nazi persecution.
- Jewish Cemetery Baden-Baden: Explore more about the city’s Jewish heritage.
- Kurhaus and Lichtentaler Allee: Iconic sites within walking distance.
- Stadtmuseum Baden-Baden: Offers exhibitions on local Jewish history and the Holocaust (The Tourist Checklist).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are Stolpersteine?
Small brass plaques embedded in sidewalks to commemorate victims of Nazi persecution at their last freely chosen residences or workplaces.
Do I need a ticket to visit?
No, the Stolperstein is a public memorial, accessible at all times and free of charge.
Are guided tours available?
Yes, through the Arbeitskreis Stolpersteine Baden-Baden; check their website for details.
Is the site wheelchair accessible?
Generally yes, though some sidewalks in the Old Town may be narrow or uneven.
Can I take photos or leave tributes?
Yes, discreet photography and small tributes are encouraged as signs of remembrance.
Emotional Impact and Reflection
Visiting a Stolperstein is often a moving and contemplative experience. Many find value in pausing, reflecting, and considering the individual lives behind the names. Journaling or discussing your experience can deepen this connection (ABC News).
Summary and Final Tips
The Stolperstein dedicated to Thekla Isaacsohn in Baden-Baden is a poignant site for engaging with the city’s history and honoring the memory of Holocaust victims. It stands as a testament to Isaacsohn’s pioneering role in Jewish nursing and the resilience of the Jewish community. Visitors are encouraged to explore the wider context through nearby historical sites and educational events (juedische-pflegegeschichte.de, gedenkbuch.baden-baden.de).
To enhance your visit:
- Pause to read and reflect at the site.
- Participate in tours or commemorative events.
- Explore related historical sites in Baden-Baden.
- For additional resources, consult the Baden-Baden Historical Society, Arbeitskreis Stolpersteine, or download interactive guides via apps like Audiala (gedenkbuch.baden-baden.de, stolpersteine.eu).
By engaging with these memorials, each visitor contributes to preserving memory and fostering a culture of tolerance.
Sources and Further Reading
- Visiting Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden: History, Locations, and Visitor Information, 2024, Arbeitskreis Stolpersteine Baden-Baden (gedenkbuch.baden-baden.de)
- Thekla Isaacsohn Memorial in Baden-Baden: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance, 2024, Juedische Pflegegeschichte (juedische-pflegegeschichte.de)
- Visiting the Stolperstein for Thekla Isaacsohn in Baden-Baden: Location, History, and Visitor Info, 2024, Juedische Pflegegeschichte (juedische-pflegegeschichte.de)
- Visiting the Stolperstein in Baden-Baden: Hours, Tickets, and Practical Tips, 2024, Claudia Travels (claudiatravels.com)
- Stolpersteine Project Overview, 2024, Stolpersteine.eu (stolpersteine.eu)
- Stolperstein - Wikipedia, 2024, Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
