
Visiting the Stolperstein for Jessy Mayer in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany: Tickets, Hours, and Tips
Date: 14/06/2025
Introduction
The Stolperstein (stumbling stone) dedicated to Jessy Mayer in Freiburg im Breisgau offers a deeply personal and moving encounter with the history of Jewish persecution during the Nazi era. These small brass plaques, embedded in sidewalks throughout Europe, commemorate individual victims at their last freely chosen residences, forming the world’s largest decentralized memorial (stolpersteine.eu). Initiated by artist Gunter Demnig in 1992, the Stolpersteine project now counts over 107,000 stones laid across nearly 1,900 municipalities as of 2024.
The Stolperstein honoring Jessy Mayer is located at Erasmusstraße 16, marking her former home before deportation and her tragic death in the Holocaust. This guide provides essential details for visiting the site, including its precise location, inscription, accessibility, cultural context, and tips for a respectful and meaningful visit. You’ll also find information about nearby memorials and resources to deepen your understanding of Freiburg’s history and the legacy of the Jewish community.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Location and Getting There
- Hours, Accessibility, and Tickets
- Plaque Inscription Details
- Historical and Memorial Significance
- Visiting Tips and Nearby Attractions
- Visuals and Interactive Media
- FAQs
- Conclusion and Call to Action
- References and Further Reading
Location and Getting There
Exact Address and Coordinates
- Address: Erasmusstraße 16, 79098 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Coordinates: Latitude 47.996613, Longitude 7.85707
Set in Freiburg’s central district, the Stolperstein is within walking distance of major landmarks such as the Freiburg Münster and the historic Old Town. The plaque is flush with the sidewalk, making it easily visible and accessible.
Transportation
- By Public Transit: From Freiburg Hauptbahnhof (main train station), take tram or bus lines to Erasmusstraße.
- By Car/Bike: Nearby public parking garages and bike paths are available.
- On Foot: The city center is pedestrian-friendly, and the site is reachable via pleasant city walks.
For detailed navigation, use the provided GPS coordinates or consult official maps (Stolpersteine in Freiburg).
Hours, Accessibility, and Tickets
- Visiting Hours: The Stolperstein is located in a public outdoor space and is accessible 24/7.
- Admission: No tickets or permits are required; visiting is free of charge.
- Accessibility: The site is wheelchair accessible. Caution is advised as some sidewalk areas may be uneven, especially in older parts of the city.
For guided tours or special events, check the Freiburg Tourism Board or the official Stolpersteine project website.
Plaque Inscription Details
Standard Stolperstein Format
Each Stolperstein is a 10 x 10 cm brass plaque hand-engraved with the following details:
- “Here lived” (Hier wohnte)
- Name of the victim
- Year of birth
- Deportation date and place, if known
- Place and date of death (if known)
Jessy Mayer’s Stolperstein
The inscription reads (translated from German):
Hier wohnte
JESSY MAYER
JG. 1877
DEPORTIERT 1940
GURS
ERMORDET 1942
AUSCHWITZ
Which means:
Here lived
JESSY MAYER
Born 1877
Deported 1940
Gurs
Murdered 1942
Auschwitz
This stark, factual inscription powerfully grounds her memory in the very place she once called home.
Historical and Memorial Significance
The Stolperstein for Jessy Mayer is emblematic of the Stolpersteine project’s purpose: restoring the names and stories of individuals erased by Nazi persecution. In Freiburg, these stones are scattered throughout various neighborhoods, each representing a personal story woven into the city’s streets (Stolpersteine in Freiburg).
The project serves as an educational tool and a daily reminder of the consequences of intolerance and hatred, inviting passersby to reflect and remember. Each act of remembrance—whether pausing to read an inscription or joining a guided tour—contributes to the preservation of memory and the promotion of a just society (stolpersteine.eu).
Visiting Tips and Nearby Attractions
Planning Your Visit
- Best Time: Daylight hours are ideal for reading inscriptions and taking photos.
- What to Bring: Flowers or small stones (a Jewish tradition), a camera or smartphone for photos (no flash or tripods), and comfortable walking shoes.
- Behavior: Be respectful—avoid blocking the sidewalk, keep noise to a minimum, and do not litter.
Nearby Attractions
- Bankhaus E. Mayer Monument: Commemorates the Mayer family’s contributions and the Jewish heritage of Freiburg (Freiburg Tourism).
- Freiburg Münster: The city’s iconic cathedral.
- Augustiner Museum: Exhibitions on local history and Jewish heritage.
- Old Town: A historic area with shops, cafes, and additional Stolpersteine.
Combine your visit with these sites for a fuller understanding of Freiburg’s cultural and historical landscape.
Visuals and Interactive Media
- High-quality images of the Stolperstein and its location are available on official websites.
- Interactive maps and virtual tours can enrich your visit (Stolpersteine Guide).
- Use descriptive alt tags for images, such as “Stolperstein for Jessy Mayer in Freiburg” or “Holocaust remembrance stone in Europe.”
FAQs
Where can I find a list or map of Stolpersteine in Freiburg?
A: The official Stolpersteine in Freiburg website provides an up-to-date list and interactive map.
Is the Stolperstein for Jessy Mayer accessible for wheelchairs?
A: Yes, most Stolpersteine are accessible, but some sidewalks may be uneven.
Do I need to book or pay for a visit?
A: No booking or payment is required; the site is open and free to all.
Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, the Freiburg tourism office and local organizations periodically offer guided tours.
Is photography allowed?
A: Yes, but please be discreet and respect the solemn nature of the site.
How can I pay my respects?
A: Quiet reflection, placing a small stone or flower, and maintaining a respectful attitude are customary.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Visiting the Stolperstein for Jessy Mayer in Freiburg im Breisgau is a meaningful act of remembrance, connecting you to individual stories of courage and loss amid the broader history of the Holocaust. By pausing at this small memorial, you honor a life interrupted by intolerance and affirm your commitment to memory and justice.
Plan your visit using the official resources linked below, and consider exploring related sites such as the Bankhaus E. Mayer Monument and Freiburg’s museums. Enhance your experience with the Audiala app for guided historical tours and stay informed about memorial events and new Stolpersteine installations.
Your presence, reflection, and respect contribute to the enduring legacy of remembrance, ensuring that the stories of individuals like Jessy Mayer survive in the city’s living memory.
References and Further Reading
- Stolpersteine Project Official Website, 2024, Gunter Demnig
- Visiting the Stolperstein for Jessy Mayer in Freiburg, 2024, Traces of War
- Stolpersteine in Freiburg – Official Website, 2024
- Bankhaus E. Mayer Monument in Freiburg im Breisgau, 2024, Freiburg Tourism
- Wikipedia: Liste der Stolpersteine in Freiburg im Breisgau, 2024
- Google Arts & Culture: Stolpersteine – Remembering, 2024
- Freiburg Tourism Board, 2024
- Jewiki list of Stolpersteine in Freiburg
- Stolpersteine Guide
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