Stolperstein Dedicated To Cäcilie Kuttner

Stolperstein Cäcilie Kuttner Karlsruhe: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The Stolperstein project—translated as “stumbling stones”—is recognized as the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust memorial. Conceived by German artist Gunter Demnig in the early 1990s, it consists of over 100,000 small brass plaques embedded in sidewalks across Europe and beyond. Each Stolperstein is placed in front of a victim’s last freely chosen residence, inviting passersby to pause and remember the individual lives lost to National Socialism (stolpersteine.eu; worldheritageusa.org).

Among these memorials is the Stolperstein dedicated to Cäcilie Kuttner in Karlsruhe, Germany. This guide offers an in-depth exploration of its historical context, cultural significance, and practical advice for visitors. It also examines how Karlsruhe, a city committed to preserving the memory of its persecuted Jewish community and other victims of the Holocaust, actively integrates remembrance into daily life (rk-karlsruhe.de; stadtgeschichte.karlsruhe.de).

Project Origins and Expansion

The Stolpersteine project originated from Gunter Demnig’s 1991 act of tracing the deportation route of Sinti and Roma from Cologne, which sparked the realization that the stories of many victims had faded from public memory (stolpersteine.eu; fabriziomusacchio.com). Demnig’s decentralized, site-specific approach embeds commemoration within everyday urban spaces, ensuring that remembrance is both personal and public.

The first Stolperstein was laid in 1996. Since then, the project has grown organically, with stones sponsored and researched by individuals, families, and local organizations. By 2025, Stolpersteine have been installed in more than 1,200 locations across 27 European countries, and even beyond Europe, such as in Argentina (fabriziomusacchio.com; worldheritageusa.org).

Concept and Artistic Approach

Each Stolperstein is a hand-engraved, 10 x 10 cm brass plaque, mounted on a concrete block and set flush with the pavement. The inscription includes the victim’s name, birth date, fate, and, if known, date and place of death (stolpersteine.eu; folklife.si.edu). The use of brass—meant to be polished by contact—symbolizes the ongoing act of remembrance. Each plaque is personally engraved, maintaining a human connection to those commemorated (fabriziomusacchio.com).

Commemorative Scope

While initially memorializing Jewish victims, Stolpersteine now honor all those persecuted by the Nazi regime: Sinti and Roma, disabled people, political dissidents, LGBTQ+ individuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and more (fabriziomusacchio.com; stolpersteine.eu). The guiding principle is to “return names” and individuality to those lost, often reuniting families in memory at a single address.

Decentralization and Community Involvement

Stolpersteine are not centralized monuments but dispersed markers visible in residential neighborhoods and city centers. Their placement in ordinary streets challenges the notion that atrocities happened only elsewhere, highlighting the proximity of history (worldheritageusa.org; stolpersteine.eu). The installation and care of Stolpersteine rely on community participation, with research and sponsorship often undertaken by local groups, schools, and families (folklife.si.edu; rk-karlsruhe.de).

Stolpersteine in Karlsruhe

Karlsruhe is home to numerous Stolpersteine, including that of Cäcilie Kuttner. Local organizations such as Reservistenkameradschaft Karlsruhe take responsibility for maintenance, while educational institutions and citizens participate in research and commemorative events (rk-karlsruhe.de). These efforts ensure that the stories behind each stone remain visible and relevant.

The Story of Cäcilie Kuttner and Her Family

Cäcilie Kuttner, along with her family members Emil Kuttner and Ursula Jenny, resided in Karlsruhe before falling victim to Nazi persecution. Their Stolperstein serves as both a deeply personal memorial and a representation of countless families affected by the Holocaust. The monument is a focal point for remembrance and education about the impact of the Holocaust on the city’s Jewish community.

Visiting the Stolperstein: Hours, Admission, and Accessibility

Location: The Stolperstein for Cäcilie Kuttner is embedded in the sidewalk at her last freely chosen residence in Karlsruhe’s city center. Use the Stolpersteine Karlsruhe website or the official Stolperstein database to locate the exact address.

Visiting Hours: As public memorials, Stolpersteine are accessible at all times. There are no set visiting hours or ticket requirements. For optimal lighting and reflection, visiting between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM is recommended.

Admission: There is no fee to visit the Stolperstein or any other Stolpersteine in Karlsruhe.

Accessibility: Most Stolpersteine are on public sidewalks and generally accessible to wheelchair users. Some pavements may be uneven; visitors with mobility needs should check with the Förderverein Karlsruher Stadtgeschichte e.V. for detailed information.

Guided Tours and Educational Opportunities

Guided tours are available through the Karlsruhe Historical Society and other local organizations, offering deeper insight into the lives behind the Stolpersteine and the city’s Holocaust history. Tours may require advance booking and a nominal fee. Special commemorative events, such as ceremonies on Holocaust Remembrance Day, are held annually.

Local schools often incorporate Stolpersteine into research projects and history lessons, fostering intergenerational dialogue and preserving memory (stadtgeschichte.karlsruhe.de).

Practical Tips for Visitors

Weather: Visit during dry weather for best visibility.
Lighting: Early morning or late afternoon provides optimal natural light for reading and photography.
Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes, as the Stolpersteine are spread throughout residential neighborhoods.
Respect: Approach the stone quietly, avoid standing directly on it, and take time for reflection.
Participation: On commemorative days, it is customary for visitors to clean the Stolpersteine or leave small tokens such as stones or flowers.
Digital Tools: Use the Stolpersteine Karlsruhe app or the Audiala App for interactive maps and audio guides.

Nearby Historical and Cultural Attractions

Enhance your visit by exploring other notable sites in Karlsruhe, including:

Karlsruhe Palace and Museum
Karlsruhe Synagogue Memorial
Badisches Landesmuseum These nearby attractions offer further insight into the region’s rich history and cultural heritage.

Stolpersteine’s placement in public spaces embeds memory in the fabric of daily life. Bending to read an inscription is an act of respect and humility, fostering personal reflection and public dialogue about the consequences of intolerance.

The project’s participatory, decentralized model ensures that remembrance is not only top-down but also community-driven. It encourages ongoing engagement and vigilance against hatred and historical amnesia (worldheritageusa.org).

Addressing Controversies

Some have raised concerns about the ground-level placement of Stolpersteine, but the project’s intention is to prompt a “stumble” of awareness. Karlsruhe continues to support the initiative, balancing sensitivity with the desire for accessible, personal remembrance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are Stolpersteine?
Small brass plaques embedded in sidewalks that commemorate victims of the Nazi regime at their last freely chosen residences.

Where is the Stolperstein for Cäcilie Kuttner located?
In Karlsruhe’s city center, at her last freely chosen address. Find precise details via the Stolpersteine Karlsruhe website.

Are tickets required?
No, Stolpersteine are public memorials and accessible free of charge at any time.

Are guided tours available?
Yes, through local historical societies and remembrance initiatives.

Is the site wheelchair accessible?
Most locations are accessible, but check for uneven pavements or contact local organizations for specifics.

Engaging Meaningfully

Visitors are encouraged to research the lives behind the Stolpersteine, reflect quietly at the site, and share their experiences to help keep memories alive. Participation in commemorative events, educational projects, and social media campaigns (using hashtags like #Stolpersteine and #NeverForget) contributes to ongoing remembrance.

Digital and Interactive Resources

Official Stolpersteine Website
Stolpersteine Karlsruhe
Audiala App for guided audio tours and interactive maps

Conclusion

The Stolperstein for Cäcilie Kuttner in Karlsruhe is more than a memorial; it is a living invitation to remember, reflect, and participate in the ongoing process of confronting intolerance. Its presence within everyday public space encourages both spontaneous and structured engagement with history, ensuring that the victims’ stories remain woven into the city’s identity.

For a meaningful and enriching visit, plan ahead using digital resources, participate in local tours or events, and consider exploring related historical sites nearby. Through these acts of remembrance, the legacy of Cäcilie Kuttner and countless others is honored, and the vital lessons of the past are kept alive for future generations.