What the Stolpersteine commemorate
Stolpersteine (“stumbling stones”) are small memorials placed in public sidewalks to remember people persecuted by the National Socialist regime. Initiated by artist Gunter Demnig in the early 1990s, each 10 x 10 cm concrete cube has a hand-engraved brass plate bearing a person’s name, birth year, fate and, if known, date and place of death. Stones are installed at the last freely chosen residence of the people they commemorate, or at their workplaces (Stolpersteine Official).
The project is a decentralized memorial that brings remembrance into everyday urban life. Since 1992, it has grown to more than 116,000 stones in over 1,860 communities across 31 European countries, making it the world’s largest decentralized memorial (stolpersteine.eu; Germany.info).
Freiburg’s Stolpersteine remember Jewish people and other victims of Nazi persecution, including Sinti and Roma, LGBTQ+ people and political prisoners. The stones are distributed across the Altstadt, Brühl, Ebnet, Günterstal, Haslach, Herdern, Lehen, Mooswald, Oberau, Sankt Georgen, Stühlinger, Waldsee and Zähringen districts.
History
Freiburg joined the project in 2002, when its first stone was installed for Professor Dr. Robert Liefmann at Goethestraße 33. The city now has more than 480 Stolpersteine and is also described as having nearly 500 (Stolpersteine in Freiburg; Wikipedia).
The project is community-driven. Local residents, schools and organizations sponsor stones for approximately €120 each. Students and historians research the people commemorated, and ceremonies for new stones often involve relatives and community groups; Gunter Demnig sometimes takes part. Biographical information is digitally archived, new stones are added in Freiburg each year, and sponsors and local volunteers help maintain and clean them (Tablet Magazine; stolpersteine.eu; Folklife Magazine; Stolpersteine in Freiburg).
What to see
Albert Strupp’s Stolperstein
Albert Strupp was the only Jewish lawyer admitted to the Landgericht Freiburg before World War II. He faced persecution, was interned in Dachau and deported to Theresienstadt, but survived. His story also includes survival through a “privileged mixed marriage.” After the war, he worked for justice in Freiburg (Stolpersteine in Freiburg – Albert Strupp; Badische Zeitung Article, PDF).
The Stolperstein is in the Zähringen district, near Platz der Zähringer (Mapcarta), set in the pavement before his last freely chosen residence (Denkmalprojekt). The Stolpersteine for Albert and Liselott Strupp are at Jägerstraße 19 (map); Liselott’s stone is also nearby. These markers make individual stories part of the public streetscape and invite passersby to bring them to mind (Folklife Magazine).
Albert Strupp Memorial
A separate Albert Strupp Memorial on Luisenstraße commemorates Strupp’s life and the wider experience of Freiburg’s Jewish community. It is described as near his former residence in the Ettenheim district of Freiburg. Strupp’s survival and postwar work are associated with resilience and justice.
Practical visiting information
Stolpersteine
- Hours and admission The stones are in public sidewalks and accessible 24/7, free of charge. No tickets are needed.
- Location The Albert Strupp Stolperstein is in Zähringen, near Platz der Zähringer. The Albert and Liselott Strupp stones are at Jägerstraße 19, Freiburg.
- Public transport Take tram line 4 to “Zähringen,” then walk a short distance.
- On foot or by bicycle The location is 10–40 minutes from the city center.
- By car Parking is limited; public transport is recommended.
- Accessibility Most stones are on wheelchair-accessible or wheelchair-friendly pedestrian routes, though some pavements may be uneven.
- Tours and maps Local organizations and the tourism office offer guided walking tours. Information is available from Freiburg Tourism, Gedenkstätten Südlicher Oberrhein and Freiburg-Schwarzwald.de. An interactive map is available on the Stolpersteine in Freiburg website, and the Stolperstein Database has maps and biographies. In-person and digital guided experiences are also available.
- Further information The Stolpersteine in Freiburg website includes biographies.
Albert Strupp Memorial
- Location Luisenstraße, Ettenheim district, Freiburg.
- Hours Daily, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM, year-round.
- Admission Free.
- Guided tours Weekends at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM; booking is recommended.
- Public transport Tram lines 1 or 3 to the Ettenheim stop, followed by a short walk.
- Accessibility The site is wheelchair accessible.
Tips for visiting
Comfortable shoes are useful when visiting the stones. Early morning or late afternoon is described as a quieter time for reflection. Freiburg is mild, but brass can be slippery when wet.
Visitors may pause quietly, learn about the person commemorated, take respectful photographs, or place a small stone or flower. The plaque may also be gently cleaned. Visitors can take part in local remembrance events. Translation apps or local guides can help with translations, and the Audiala app offers audio guides and interactive maps.
Nearby places
Nearby points of interest include other Stolpersteine, the “Herz auf Säule mit Ei” sculpture and Black Forest trails. The Albert Strupp Memorial’s listed nearby attractions are the Freiburg Historical Museum, Jewish Cultural Center Freiburg and Münsterplatz (Cathedral Square). Dining and lodging options are numerous in Zähringen and the city center.
FAQ
Are the Stolpersteine free to visit?
Yes. They are accessible at any time at no cost, and no tickets are required.
Are guided tours available?
Yes. Local organizations and the tourism office offer tours; see Freiburg Tourism and Freiburg-Schwarzwald.de. Guided tours are also offered by Gedenkstätten Südlicher Oberrhein.
Is the route wheelchair accessible?
Most stones are on accessible paths, but some pavements may be uneven.
Where can I learn more about individual victims?
The Stolpersteine in Freiburg website has detailed biographies.
Can I sponsor a Stolperstein?
Yes. Contact local organizations to learn about sponsorship.
Are the sites suitable for groups and school classes?
Yes. The Stolperstein sites are suitable for groups and school classes.
Is the Albert Strupp Memorial free?
Yes. Admission is free.
Is the Albert Strupp Memorial open year-round?
Yes. It is open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, year-round.
Are guided tours of the Albert Strupp Memorial available?
Yes. Tours are offered on weekends at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM; booking is recommended.
Is the memorial suitable for children?
Yes, though the content may be best suited to older children.
