Stolperstein Richard Feist in Freiburg im Breisgau: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Visitor Guide
Date: 14/06/2025
Introduction
The Stolperstein dedicated to Richard Feist in Freiburg im Breisgau offers a profound encounter with history—a tangible reminder of the individuals who suffered under Nazi persecution. As part of the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust memorial, this small brass plaque embedded in the sidewalk at Schöneckstraße 6 invites reflection and remembrance. This detailed visitor guide provides historical background, practical information, travel tips, and recommendations for meaningful engagement with the Stolpersteine and other Freiburg memorial sites (stolpersteine.eu).
Contents
- The Stolpersteine Project: Origins and Expansion
- Stolpersteine in Freiburg im Breisgau
- Richard Feist: Biography and Memorialization
- Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Accessibility
- Guided Tours and Digital Resources
- Etiquette and Meaningful Engagement
- Nearby Historical Sites in Freiburg
- FAQ
- Conclusion and Recommendations
- Sources
The Stolpersteine Project: Origins and Expansion
Initiated by German artist Gunter Demnig in the early 1990s, the Stolpersteine (“stumbling stones”) project is a decentralized memorial to the victims of National Socialism. Each Stolperstein is a 10 x 10 cm brass-plated cobblestone, engraved with the name and fate of a victim, and placed outside their last freely chosen residence or workplace. As of 2024, over 107,000 Stolpersteine have been laid in nearly 1,900 towns across 30 European countries, representing Jews, Roma and Sinti, political dissidents, and others persecuted by the Nazis (stolpersteine.eu; pragueviews.com). The project aims to integrate remembrance into daily life, encouraging passersby to “stumble” upon history and reflect on individual stories.
Stolpersteine in Freiburg im Breisgau
Freiburg, in southwest Germany, was the first city in southern Germany to participate in the Stolpersteine project, with the inaugural stone laid in 2002. Today, more than 500 Stolpersteine commemorate local Jews, Roma, Sinti, political prisoners, and other victims. The project is supported by the city, local historical societies, schools, and the Jewish community, who collectively research victims’ biographies and organize public installation ceremonies (Stolpersteine in Freiburg; Freiburg Tourist Information; commons.wikimedia.org).
Stolpersteine are scattered throughout Freiburg, including near homes, shops, and schools, making the memory of the Holocaust part of the city’s everyday landscape.
Richard Feist: Biography and Memorialization
Richard Feist was a Jewish lawyer whose life was irrevocably altered by the rise of National Socialism. Born in Frankfurt in 1874, he became a respected member of Freiburg’s legal community before being stripped of his profession and rights under Nazi persecution. In October 1940, Richard and his wife Mathilde were deported to the Gurs internment camp in France, where Richard died in 1945. Mathilde survived the war (Stolpersteine in Freiburg; Freiburg-Schwarzwald Stolpersteine List).
The Stolperstein for Richard Feist, embedded in the sidewalk at Schöneckstraße 6, marks his last freely chosen residence. The stone’s inscription personalizes his story and transforms the site into a place for reflection and remembrance.
Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Accessibility
- Visiting Hours: The Stolperstein is located on a public sidewalk and is accessible at all times, day and night.
- Tickets: No tickets or fees are required to visit the Stolperstein or any other Stolpersteine in Freiburg.
- Accessibility: The sidewalk at Schöneckstraße 6 is generally smooth and suitable for wheelchair users, though Freiburg’s older streets may feature some cobblestones. There are no steps or barriers at the site (Freiburg Travel Guide).
- Location: Schöneckstraße 6, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. The nearest tram stop is “Siegesdenkmal”; from there, it is a short walk to the site. The nearby Kiepenheuer-Institut für Sonnenphysik serves as a useful landmark (Traces of War: Stolpersteine Schöneckstraße 6).
Guided Tours and Digital Resources
- Guided Tours: Freiburg’s tourism office and local organizations offer guided Stolpersteine walking tours, including the Richard Feist memorial. Tours provide historical context and personal stories; advance booking is recommended (Freiburg Guided Tours).
- Self-Guided Tours: Maps and databases are available from the Freiburg Tourist Information and online resources. The Audiala app offers interactive maps and audio guides for self-guided exploration.
- Best Time to Visit: The months of May to September are ideal for walking tours thanks to mild weather (Eupedia: Freiburg Travel Guide).
Etiquette and Meaningful Engagement
- Pause and Read: Take a moment to read the inscription. Bending down to read symbolizes humility and respect (Germany.info).
- Cleaning Tradition: It is customary to gently polish Stolpersteine with a soft cloth, especially on remembrance days (Folklife Magazine).
- Leave a Token: Small stones or flowers may be placed beside the Stolperstein, following Jewish tradition.
- Photography: Allowed, but please respect residents and avoid blocking the sidewalk.
- Respect Residents: Schöneckstraße 6 is a private residence; keep noise to a minimum and do not obstruct entrances.
Nearby Historical Sites in Freiburg
- Other Stolpersteine: Freiburg hosts more than 300 Stolpersteine, many within walking distance (Wikipedia: Stolpersteine in Freiburg).
- Jewish Cemetery: Elsässerstraße 21, an important site for remembrance.
- Platz der Alten Synagoge: Site of the destroyed synagogue, marked by a memorial fountain and model (Badische Zeitung, 2020).
- Stühlinger Kirchplatz Memorial: Commemorates the deportation of Baden’s Jews.
- Vordtriede-Haus: Memorializing the Vordtriede family and Freiburg’s Jewish journalists (Wikipedia: History of the Jews in Freiburg).
- Freiburg Old Town: Offers medieval architecture and insights into the city’s Jewish history (Germany Footsteps).
- Museums: Augustinermuseum and Museum für Stadtgeschichte provide historical context on Freiburg during the Nazi era.
FAQ
Q: Where is the Richard Feist Stolperstein located?
A: At Schöneckstraße 6, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau (coordinates 47.998537, 7.86134).
Q: Are there visiting hours or tickets required?
A: No, the Stolperstein is freely accessible 24/7 on the public sidewalk with no ticket needed.
Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, several organizations and the tourism office offer guided Stolperstein tours.
Q: Is the Stolperstein accessible for people with disabilities?
A: It is generally accessible; the sidewalk is smooth and suitable for wheelchairs.
Q: Can I take photos at the site?
A: Yes, but please be considerate of residents and avoid blocking the entrance.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Visiting the Richard Feist Stolperstein in Freiburg is a moving experience that connects visitors directly with the stories of individuals persecuted during the Holocaust. By pausing to reflect, participating in cleaning traditions, or joining a guided tour, you contribute to the ongoing act of remembrance that defines the Stolpersteine project.
To deepen your understanding, combine your visit with other historical sites in Freiburg, and utilize digital resources such as the Audiala app for interactive maps and audio tours. Your engagement helps preserve memory and fosters a culture of tolerance for future generations.
Sources and Further Reading
- Visiting the Stolpersteine in Freiburg: History, Locations, and Visitor Information, 2024, Gunter Demnig (stolpersteine.eu)
- Visiting Stolpersteine in Freiburg: History, Significance, and Visitor Information, 2025, Freiburg Tourist Information (visit.freiburg.de)
- Richard Feist Stolperstein in Freiburg: Visiting Hours, Location & Historical Significance, 2024, Stolpersteine in Freiburg (stolpersteine-in-freiburg.de)
- Visiting the Richard Feist Stolperstein in Freiburg: Hours, Tickets, and Historical Insights, 2024, Traces of War (Traces of War: Stolpersteine Schöneckstraße 6)
- Freiburg Travel Guide, Germany Footsteps, 2023 (germanyfootsteps.com)
