Stolperstein memorial stone dedicated to Erna Nachmann in Karlsruhe, Germany

Stolperstein Dedicated To Erna Nachmann

Stolperstein Erna Nachmann Karlsruhe: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Guide

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The Stolperstein dedicated to Erna Nachmann in Karlsruhe offers a deeply personal entry point into the memory of the Holocaust and the city’s history of Nazi persecution. Stolpersteine—literally “stumbling stones”—are small brass plaques placed in the sidewalks of cities across Europe, each commemorating an individual victim of the Nazi regime. The project, initiated by artist Gunter Demnig in the mid-1990s, is recognized as the world’s largest decentralized memorial, with over 116,000 stones installed across more than 1,860 municipalities by 2024 (stolpersteine.eu; fabriziomusacchio.com).

Karlsruhe has actively participated in this project since 2005, laying nearly 300 Stolpersteine to honor its Jewish residents and other persecuted groups (stadtgeschichte.karlsruhe.de; stolpersteine-karlsruhe.jimdofree.com). Among these, the Stolperstein for Erna Nachmann at Reinhold-Frank-Straße 24 stands as a testament to her life and the tragedy she endured. This guide provides comprehensive, practical, and historical information for anyone wishing to visit, understand, and reflect at this special memorial site.

Overview of the Stolpersteine Project
Erna Nachmann: Biography and Significance
Visiting the Stolperstein for Erna Nachmann
Cultural and Educational Context
Guided Tours and Events
Practical Information: FAQs
Digital and Visual Resources
Continuing Legacy and Community Involvement
Plan Your Visit

Overview of the Stolpersteine Project

Origins and Purpose

The Stolpersteine project was launched by German artist Gunter Demnig in the 1990s as a grassroots initiative to commemorate individuals who were persecuted and murdered by the Nazis. Each Stolperstein is a hand-engraved, 10 x 10 cm brass plaque, set into the pavement in front of the last freely chosen residence of a victim. The plaques bear the person’s name, birth date, fate, and, if known, the date and place of death, making the memory of victims visible and tangible in everyday life (fabriziomusacchio.com).

Growth Across Europe

Since the first official stone was laid in Cologne in 1996, the project has expanded rapidly. As of 2025, more than 100,000 Stolpersteine have been embedded in 27 European countries, funded primarily by private donations and community involvement. The stones honor a broad spectrum of victims: Jews, Sinti and Roma, people with disabilities, political dissidents, LGBTQ+ individuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others persecuted under the Nazi regime (pragueviews.com; stolpersteine.eu).

Karlsruhe’s Engagement

Karlsruhe began participating in the Stolpersteine project in 2005. The city has since installed nearly 300 stones, each marking the last voluntary residence of a victim within the community (stadtgeschichte.karlsruhe.de). Local citizens, schools, and organizations often sponsor stones, and the city’s coordination group ensures that research and documentation are thorough and respectful (stolpersteine-karlsruhe.jimdofree.com).

Erna Nachmann: Biography and Significance

Erna Nachmann was one of Karlsruhe’s Jewish citizens persecuted during the Holocaust. While public biographical details are limited, her Stolperstein at Reinhold-Frank-Straße 24 ensures her name and story are not forgotten (commons.wikimedia.org; ka-news.de). The stone’s inscription reads:
“Hier wohnte Erna Nachmann” (“Here lived Erna Nachmann”), followed by her birth date and, if known, deportation and fate.

Her memorial is part of a broader effort in Karlsruhe to honor the memory of its Jewish community, much of which was destroyed during the Nazi period. The Stolperstein serves as a silent witness to her life and a call for ongoing remembrance.

Visiting the Stolperstein for Erna Nachmann

Location and Access

Address: Reinhold-Frank-Straße 24, Karlsruhe, Germany
How to Get There:
- By Tram: Closest stops are “Mendelssohnplatz” or “Kongresszentrum.”
- On Foot: Approx. 15-minute walk north from Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof via Ettlinger Straße and Reinhold-Frank-Straße.
- By Bicycle: Karlsruhe is bike-friendly and offers rental bikes throughout the city.
Finding the Stone: Look for the brass plaque embedded in the sidewalk in front of the building entrance (commons.wikimedia.org).

Visiting Hours and Tickets

Accessibility: 24/7, as the Stolpersteine are in public sidewalks.
Tickets/Fees: None; visiting is free of charge at all times.

Accessibility and Travel Tips

Mobility: Most Stolpersteine are accessible at street level, but some pavements may be uneven. Check the city’s interactive map for detailed site information.
Best Time to Visit: Daytime is recommended for visibility and safety. Visits during Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27) or local memorial events can be especially meaningful.
What to Bring: A soft cloth for gentle cleaning (a tradition of respect), a flower or stone to leave, and a camera for documentation (be respectful).

Nearby Memorials and Historical Sites

Karlsruhe Synagogue Memorial
Jewish Museum Karlsruhe
Other Stolpersteine in the city’s network
Karlsruhe Palace and Museum

Combine your visit for a deeper understanding of the city’s Jewish history and the impact of Nazi persecution.

Cultural and Educational Context

Stolpersteine embed the memory of victims directly into the urban landscape, creating daily encounters with history (ka-news.de). Local organizations, such as the Förderverein Karlsruher Stadtgeschichte and Lernort Kislau, regularly hold events to clean and honor the stones, ensuring that remembrance remains active and community-based (BNN article).

Schools and civic groups also incorporate Stolpersteine into educational programs, fostering dialogue about history, tolerance, and the importance of individual stories.

Guided Tours and Events

Guided Tours: Offered by local historical societies and the city tourism office. Tours provide context and personal stories behind the stones. Advance booking is recommended.
Special Events: Commemorative ceremonies and educational programs take place, especially on Holocaust Remembrance Day and the anniversary of the November Pogroms. Check the Stolpersteine Karlsruhe website or the city’s calendar for upcoming events.

Practical Information: FAQs

Do I need tickets to visit the Stolpersteine in Karlsruhe?
No, all Stolpersteine are accessible 24/7 and free to visit.

Where can I find a map of Stolpersteine in Karlsruhe?
An interactive map is available via the City of Karlsruhe’s memorial culture page and the Stolpersteine Karlsruhe website.

Are guided tours available?
Yes. Check with local organizations and the tourism office.

Is photography permitted?
Yes, but please be respectful and do not obstruct pathways or entrances.

Are the stones accessible for visitors with disabilities?
Generally yes, as they are on public sidewalks, but some areas may have uneven surfaces.

Digital and Visual Resources

Stolpersteine Karlsruhe App: Offers interactive maps and biographies (stolpersteine-karlsruhe.jimdofree.com).
Virtual Tours and Galleries: Many museums and cultural institutions provide online resources for further exploration.
Image:
Alt text: “Stolpersteine embedded in the pavement at a Karlsruhe historical site, commemorating victims of National Socialism”
Map Screenshot:
Alt text: “Interactive map showing Stolpersteine locations around Karlsruhe city center”

Continuing Legacy and Community Involvement

The Stolpersteine project continues to expand as new names and stories are uncovered. In Karlsruhe, the stones function as a living memorial, relying on community research, sponsorship, and ongoing educational initiatives (web1.karlsruhe.de). They serve as reminders not only of individual fates but also of the importance of vigilance and remembrance in today’s society.