Stolperstein Dedicated To Walter Flehinger

Stolperstein Walter Flehinger Baden-Baden: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Sites Guide

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

Visiting the Stolperstein dedicated to Walter Flehinger in Baden-Baden, Germany, offers a deeply personal encounter with Holocaust history, woven directly into the city’s everyday life. The Stolpersteine (“stumbling stones”) project, started in 1992 by artist Gunter Demnig, is now the world’s largest decentralized memorial, with over 116,000 stones commemorating victims of National Socialism in more than 1,800 European communities (stolpersteine.eu). Each Stolperstein is a brass-plated cobblestone placed before a victim’s last freely chosen residence, transforming anonymous tragedy into personal remembrance and fostering everyday reflection.

Walter Flehinger, born in 1924, was a young Jewish resident of Baden-Baden who fled to England in 1937 to escape escalating Nazi persecution. His Stolperstein, placed at Prinz-Weimar-Straße 10, marks his last voluntary home and stands as a tangible reminder of the countless lives disrupted by the Holocaust (gedenkbuch.baden-baden.de). Unlike centralized monuments, Stolpersteine integrate the memory of the victims into the fabric of the city, inviting passersby to “stumble” upon history with both mind and heart.

Baden-Baden, famed for its spas and rich heritage, hosts numerous Stolpersteine and significant Jewish heritage sites, such as the memorial to its former synagogue destroyed during Kristallnacht (baden-baden.com). These memorials are freely accessible at all times, offering an intimate and approachable experience for all visitors.

This guide provides detailed historical context, practical visiting information—such as accessibility, guided tours, and travel tips—and cultural insights into the importance of remembrance. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a traveler, or someone seeking to honor Holocaust victims, this guide will help you appreciate the Stolperstein dedicated to Walter Flehinger (pragueviews.com).

Introduction
The Stolperstein Project: Origins, Purpose, and Design
Walter Flehinger: Biography and Historical Context
The Stolperstein for Walter Flehinger: Location, Significance, and Community Impact
Visiting Information: Hours, Accessibility, Guided Tours
Social and Educational Importance
FAQ
Conclusion

The Stolperstein Project: Origins, Purpose, and Design

Origins and Development

The Stolpersteine project began in 1992, when German artist Gunter Demnig installed the first stone in Cologne. His aim was to create a decentralized, personal form of Holocaust remembrance, integrating memory into the daily lives of European cities and towns (pragueviews.com; stolpersteine.eu). Inspired by the Talmudic saying, “A person is only forgotten when his or her name is forgotten,” Demnig sought to ensure that the victims’ names and stories would not be lost to history (stichting-stolpersteine.nl).

Purpose and Mission

Stolpersteine honor victims of National Socialism—Jews, Roma and Sinti, political prisoners, LGBTQ+ individuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, people with disabilities, and others—by marking the places where they lived before persecution and murder. Each brass-plated cobblestone features the victim’s name, birth date, fate, and, if known, date and place of death (germany.info). The memorials are not just historical markers; they foster a culture of remembrance that is both personal and collective, encouraging reflection on the histories embedded in our communities (stolpersteine.eu).

Design and Installation

A Stolperstein measures about 10 x 10 cm, with a hand-engraved brass plate on top of a concrete block. The inscription typically begins with “Here lived…” followed by the person’s name and details (pragueviews.com). Stones are produced in a Berlin workshop, and installation ceremonies often involve relatives, community members, and local leaders, making the process both a tribute and a community event.

Geographic Scope and Scale

Since its inception, the Stolpersteine project has grown to include over 107,000 stones in nearly 1,900 municipalities across 26 countries (stichting-stolpersteine.nl; stolpersteine.eu; germany.info). The stones are found in both major cities and small towns, often placed in front of homes, shops, or apartments—embedding memory into the places where daily life continues (mapcarta.com).

Walter Flehinger: Biography and Historical Context

Walter Flehinger was born on January 26, 1924, in Mannheim. His family moved to Baden-Baden, where they lived at Ludwig-Wilhelm-Platz 11 and later at Prinz-Weimar-Straße 10 (gedenkbuch.baden-baden.de). Walter’s father, Dr. Arthur Flehinger, was a respected language teacher. When the Nazis rose to power, Dr. Arthur Flehinger lost his job due to anti-Jewish laws, and the family faced increasing persecution.

Fearing for their safety, the Flehingers sent their sons to England—first Gerhard, then Walter, who escaped to London in April 1937 at age 13 (gedenkbuch.baden-baden.de). After Kristallnacht in November 1938, Dr. Arthur was arrested and publicly humiliated, and the family’s synagogue was destroyed. Walter’s Stolperstein marks his last free home before emigration, personalizing the broader tragedy of Nazi persecution.

The Stolperstein for Walter Flehinger: Location, Significance, and Community Impact

Location and Accessibility

Address: Prinz-Weimar-Straße 10, Baden-Baden, Germany
Access: Always open; the Stolperstein is embedded in the public sidewalk and accessible 24/7 without charge. The area is wheelchair-friendly, though some streets may have slight unevenness.

Cultural and Memorial Significance

Unlike distant monuments, Stolpersteine are woven into daily life. Walter Flehinger’s stone reads:

HIER WOHNTE
WALTER FLEHINGER
JG. 1924
FLUCHT 1937
ENGLAND

This inscription invites anyone who passes to pause and reflect on a young life uprooted by hatred, transforming an ordinary street into a site of memory. The stones are meant not for literal stumbling, but to prompt a “mental stumble”—a moment of remembrance as people bow to read the names (pragueviews.com; germany.info).

Community Engagement and Educational Impact

Local schools and organizations are deeply involved in researching victims’ stories and maintaining the stones. Installation ceremonies, such as the one held for Walter Flehinger in 2016, often include family members and students, fostering intergenerational remembrance and dialogue. Educational projects around Stolpersteine help keep the memory alive and encourage conversations about tolerance and historical responsibility (stolpersteine.eu).

Visiting Information: Hours, Tickets, Accessibility, and Tours

Hours: Accessible at any time—there are no visiting hours as the Stolperstein is in a public space.
Tickets: No tickets required; the site is free to visit.
Accessibility: The sidewalk is generally accessible for those with mobility issues.
Guided Tours: Local tour operators and the Baden-Baden tourism office occasionally offer guided walks focusing on Jewish history and Stolpersteine. Check the Baden-Baden tourism website for current schedules.
Travel Tips: Wear comfortable shoes for city exploration. Daytime visits provide the best light for reflection and photography. Maps highlighting Stolperstein locations are available locally or via mobile apps.

Nearby Historical Sites and Attractions

Baden-Baden Synagogue Memorial: The original synagogue, destroyed during Kristallnacht, is memorialized in the city center.
Museum Frieder Burda: A modern art museum nearby.
Lichtentaler Allee: Historic park, ideal for walks and contemplation.
Kurhaus Baden-Baden: A landmark spa and cultural venue.

The Stolpersteine project is more than a memorial—it is a living, evolving “social sculpture.” Researching, funding, and installing each stone involves survivors, descendants, schools, and local residents, fostering community ownership of remembrance. Regular cleaning of the stones, especially on Holocaust Remembrance Day, is a meaningful act of care (pragueviews.com). Educational programs ensure that the lessons of the past remain relevant for new generations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Where is the Stolperstein for Walter Flehinger located?
A: Prinz-Weimar-Straße 10, Baden-Baden, embedded in the public sidewalk.

Q: Is there an entrance fee or ticket required?
A: No, visiting the Stolperstein is free and does not require a ticket.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, local tour groups and the tourism office offer guided walks that include Stolpersteine and related sites.

Q: Is the site accessible for people with disabilities?
A: The location is wheelchair accessible, though some sidewalks may be uneven.

Q: Can I find other Stolpersteine in Baden-Baden?
A: Yes, over 200 Stolpersteine are installed throughout the city, each marking a victim’s last residence.

Conclusion

The Stolperstein for Walter Flehinger stands as a powerful reminder of the individual lives fractured by the Holocaust and of Baden-Baden’s commitment to remembrance. Embedded in the urban landscape, it transforms an ordinary stroll into a moment of reflection, inviting residents and visitors alike to honor the past. Through educational initiatives, community engagement, and accessible memorials, Baden-Baden’s Stolpersteine keep the memory of its Jewish community alive and relevant.

Whether you visit independently or with a guided group, the experience is moving and meaningful. To enrich your visit, consider using audio guides or mobile apps, and participate in local commemorative events. Your attention to these stones ensures that the stories they hold are not forgotten, and that the lessons of the Holocaust remain part of our shared consciousness.

Images

Alt text: Close-up of Stolperstein dedicated to Walter Flehinger embedded in the sidewalk in Baden-Baden, Germany.

Alt text: Baden-Baden Synagogue memorial plaque commemorating the Jewish community.

Sources and Further Reading

Call to Action

Deepen your understanding of Baden-Baden’s Jewish heritage and the Stolpersteine project by downloading the Audiala app for self-guided tours. Stay informed about new Stolpersteine installations, commemorative events, and historical articles by following us on social media and subscribing to our newsletter.