What the memorial is
The Stolperstein dedicated to Israel Stieber is embedded in the sidewalk at Adlerstraße 15, 76133 Karlsruhe, where he and his wife, Drezel, last lived. Stolpersteine, or “stumbling stones,” are small brass-plated cobblestones placed at the last freely chosen residences of people persecuted by the Nazi regime. Each bears a person’s name, birth date and fate, and, if known, their date and place of death.
The project restores individual names and stories to public spaces. It is described as the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust memorial. Accounts report that more than 90,000 stones had been installed across Europe by 2025, and that over 107,000 had been placed in nearly 1,900 communities as of 2024.
For background, see Stadtwiki Karlsruhe, Germany.info, and the Jewish Virtual Library.
History
German artist Gunter Demnig initiated the Stolpersteine project in 1992. The stones bring remembrance into everyday life by marking the places where victims lived (Wikipedia: Stolpersteine). Before the Nazi regime, Karlsruhe had a thriving Jewish community. After 1933, Jewish residents faced increasing persecution. The synagogue was destroyed during Kristallnacht in 1938, followed by mass deportations; by the end of the Second World War, only a small fraction of the city’s Jewish population had survived (Jewish Virtual Library: Karlsruhe).
Israel Stieber was born in 1872 and was a Jewish merchant. One account says he was deported from Karlsruhe during the 1938 “Polenaktion” and that his fate remains unknown. Another says that Israel and Drezel were expelled in 1938 and 1939, respectively, during the “Polenaktion,” and that both disappeared after deportation (Stadtwiki Karlsruhe, Traces of War, Mapcarta). The Stolperstein was installed in 2007 and is one of over 360 in Karlsruhe (Wikimedia Commons: Stolpersteine in Karlsruhe).
What to see
The stone is set into the pavement at Adlerstraße 15, integrating remembrance into the urban landscape and placing it where passers-by encounter it in daily life. The Stolpersteine project personalizes history and counters the anonymity imposed by the Nazi regime (Folklife Magazine, Germany.info).
The Karlsruhe Jewish Monument is also described as being at Adlerstraße 15. It commemorates Jewish families from the city, including Israel and Drezel Stieber, and marks the Stieber family’s last address before expulsion during the Nazi era. The monument is presented as a symbol of resilience and remembrance.
Installation ceremonies and ongoing acts of care, including cleaning the stones and placing flowers or small stones, make remembrance an active process (RK Karlsruhe). The project also seeks to combat forgetting and denial, promote human rights, and foster dialogue about the Holocaust’s lessons for today (Stadtwiki Karlsruhe).
Practical visiting information
- Location Adlerstraße 15, 76133 Karlsruhe (Google Maps)
- Stolperstein hours Accessible at all times, 24/7; no tickets are required.
- Monument hours The Karlsruhe Jewish Monument listing gives opening hours of 9:00 AM–6:00 PM daily.
- Admission Free. The Stolpersteine are publicly accessible at no charge, and the monument listing also specifies free entry.
- Accessibility The Stolpersteine are described as wheelchair accessible and fully wheelchair accessible. The monument listing also mentions ramps and accessible restrooms.
- Guided tours Local organizations offer walking tours about Stolpersteine and Karlsruhe’s Jewish history. Tours may require advance booking and may include a fee. Tours through the Karlsruhe Historical Society are also listed as available; booking in advance is recommended. The Reservistenkameradschaft Karlsruhe offers guided tours or educational events (RK Karlsruhe).
- Transport Tram lines 2, 3, or 5 are listed as routes to the monument, stopping at Stadtgarten.
- Remembrance events Special events are held annually, especially on Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27) and Kristallnacht (November 9).
For self-guided exploration, use the Stolpersteine Karlsruhe app. Further resources include an Interactive Map of Stolpersteine in Karlsruhe, the Mapcarta location link, and a high-quality photo of Israel Stieber’s Stolperstein location.
Tips
- Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Visit during daylight for visibility; morning or late afternoon is suggested for the best lighting.
- Be respectful of the memorials and avoid stepping directly on the stones.
- Photos are permitted; be discreet and respectful.
- Pause to reflect. You may consider leaving a small stone or flower.
Nearby places
- Site of the former Karlsruhe Synagogue Marked by memorials and plaques.
- Jewish Museum of Baden Exhibitions on Jewish history, culture, and the Holocaust.
- Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Karlsruhe.
- Karlsruhe City Museum.
- Karlsruhe Palace and other Stolpersteine.
- Botanical Garden Karlsruhe A tranquil place for reflection after the visit.
See the Karlsruhe Historical Sites Guide and Tourist Places Guide for further information.
FAQ
Are there fees to visit the Stolpersteine in Karlsruhe?
No. The stones are free and publicly accessible.
Can I take photos?
Yes, but be respectful and discreet.
Are guided tours available?
Yes. Local organizations offer tours, and advance booking may be required. Tours may include a fee.
Is the site wheelchair accessible?
The Stolpersteine are described as wheelchair accessible. The monument listing also specifies ramps and accessible restrooms.
What other sites should I visit nearby?
The Jewish Museum of Baden and the former synagogue site are recommended, along with the other nearby sites listed above.
