Stolperstein Dedicated To Anna Cantor

Stolperstein Anna Cantor Mainz: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

Visiting the Stolperstein dedicated to Anna Cantor in Mainz offers a deeply moving experience, connecting visitors to the personal histories behind the Holocaust. The Stolpersteine project, initiated by German artist Gunter Demnig in 1992, is the world’s largest decentralized memorial. It consists of small brass plaques embedded in sidewalks at the last freely chosen residences of Nazi victims, ensuring their names are never forgotten. With over 100,000 stones across more than 1,200 cities in Europe—including Mainz—these memorials transform everyday spaces into sites of remembrance (Stolpersteine.eu; Wikipedia).

Mainz, with its rich Jewish heritage dating back to the Roman era, uses Stolpersteine to mark the lives and fates of individuals like Anna Cantor, whose family was part of a vibrant community tragically decimated during the Holocaust. Anna Cantor’s Stolperstein at Breidenbacherstraße 19 invites reflection on her life, deportation, and death in Theresienstadt, and stands as part of Mainz’s ongoing commitment to Holocaust remembrance (mainz.de; jguideeurope.org).

Stolpersteine are freely accessible at all times and require no tickets, making them an integral and inclusive part of Mainz’s cultural landscape. Enhanced by practical visitor resources, educational initiatives, and community involvement, the project fosters personal connections to history and supports ongoing remembrance (Haus des Erinnerns; folklife.si.edu).

This guide provides detailed historical context, practical information, and visitor tips to help you engage respectfully and meaningfully with the Anna Cantor Stolperstein and the enduring legacy it represents.

Origins and Philosophy of the Stolpersteine Project
Scale, Community Involvement, and Educational Impact
The Stolperstein Dedicated to Anna Cantor in Mainz
Visiting Stolpersteine in Mainz: Hours, Tickets, and Practical Information
Guided Tours, Maps, and Educational Resources
Historical Context: The Cantor Family and Jewish Mainz
Cultural and Memorial Significance
Accessibility, Etiquette, and Visitor Tips
Preservation and Ongoing Initiatives
FAQ: Visiting Stolpersteine in Mainz
Summary Table: Key Visitor Information
References

Origins and Philosophy of the Stolpersteine Project

The Stolpersteine (“stumbling stones”) project began in 1992 as a decentralized memorial to victims of Nazi persecution—Jews, Sinti and Roma, political prisoners, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others (Stolpersteine.eu; Wikipedia; BBC Travel). Each Stolperstein is a 10x10 cm concrete cube topped with a brass plate inscribed with the victim’s name, birth year, deportation or death date, and location, always beginning with “Here lived…” in the local language (World Heritage USA).

The project’s name, meaning “stumbling stone,” refers both to the act of stumbling and the metaphor of unexpectedly encountering history. The stones are installed at street level in front of the victim’s last freely chosen residence, requiring passersby to look down and symbolically bow in respect (BBC Travel).

Unlike centralized memorials, Stolpersteine bring memory into daily life, making it impossible to ignore. This approach personalizes commemoration, restores names to victims, and confronts the public with the reality of history embedded in their surroundings (Wikipedia).

Scale, Community Involvement, and Educational Impact

The Stolpersteine project is the largest decentralized memorial in the world, with over 100,000 stones in more than 1,200 European cities and towns (Wikipedia; World Heritage USA). Each stone commemorates an individual victim, and clusters of stones often mark families or entire communities lost to Nazi persecution.

Community involvement is central to the project. Stones are usually sponsored by individuals, families, schools, or groups, who research the victim’s life and fate. The installation ceremonies are often attended by relatives, local residents, and officials, fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and collective remembrance (Stolpersteine.eu; BBC Travel).

Educationally, the Stolpersteine project is deeply impactful. Many schools integrate research and commemoration into their curricula, encouraging students to connect with local history and the stories of those who once lived in their neighborhoods (World Heritage USA).

The Stolperstein Dedicated to Anna Cantor in Mainz

In Mainz, Stolpersteine have transformed city streets into spaces of memory and reflection. The Stolperstein for Anna Cantor is located at Breidenbacherstraße 19, marking the site of her last freely chosen residence. Like all Stolpersteine, it bears her name, year of birth, date and place of deportation, and, if known, date of death (Stolpersteine.eu; mainz.de).

Visitors are encouraged to approach the Stolperstein with respect—reading the inscription, cleaning the brass, or leaving small tokens like stones or flowers are common acts of remembrance. Maps and digital guides are available from local organizations for self-guided exploration (jguideeurope.org).

Visiting Stolpersteine in Mainz: Hours, Tickets, and Practical Information

Visiting Hours: Stolpersteine are accessible at all times, embedded in public sidewalks.

Tickets/Cost: No tickets or reservations are required; visits are always free.

Accessibility: Most Stolpersteine, including Anna Cantor’s, are accessible by foot and wheelchair, though some sidewalks may be uneven.

Travel Tips: Mainz is easily reached by train and public transport. Breidenbacherstraße 19 is a short walk from Mainz Hauptbahnhof and is part of the “Pfad der Erinnerung” (Path of Remembrance), a walking route connecting Holocaust memorial sites (mainz.de).

Nearby Attractions: Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, the Old Town, and other memorial sites can be combined with a visit to the Stolperstein.

Guided Tours, Maps, and Educational Resources

Guided Tours: The Haus des Erinnerns (House of Remembrance) offers guided Stolpersteine and Holocaust history tours (haus-des-erinnerns-mainz.de).
Educational Programs: Workshops, exhibitions, and a searchable victim database are available.
Self-Guided Walks: Digital and print maps outline Stolpersteine locations and can be obtained from the Mainz tourist office or Stolpersteine Mainz.
“Pfad der Erinnerung”: This memorial route connects twelve Holocaust sites in Mainz city center, all walkable within two hours (bibliothek.mainz.de).

Historical Context: The Cantor Family and Jewish Mainz

Anna Cantor, born 1872, lived with her siblings at Breidenbacherstraße 19. Her brother Ernst was a leader in the Mainzer Turnverein and was expelled in 1933 under Nazi policy (waymarking.com). The Cantor siblings were deported during the Holocaust: Ernst in March 1942, Anna, Ludwig Max, and Paul in September 1942. Anna and Paul died in Theresienstadt; Ludwig Max died by suicide in Berlin in 1944. Their fates are inscribed on the Stolpersteine at their former residence (mainz.de).

Mainz’s Jewish community, one of the oldest in Germany, was nearly destroyed during World War II. The Stolpersteine project restores the memory of these lost individuals within the city’s fabric (Jewish Virtual Library).

Cultural and Memorial Significance

Stolpersteine are rooted in the Talmudic teaching that “a person is only forgotten when his name is forgotten.” By placing stones at the last known address, the project personalizes the Holocaust, transforming statistics into lived stories (pragueviews.com). The decentralized, public nature of Stolpersteine fosters both personal reflection and community engagement, and has become a model for remembrance projects worldwide (folklife.si.edu).

In Mainz, Stolpersteine have become a focal point for remembrance and education, supported by local organizations and embraced as a means to confront the city’s history and promote acceptance (stolpersteine-mainz.de; Haus des Erinnerns).

Accessibility, Etiquette, and Visitor Tips

Location: Breidenbacherstraße 19, Mainz Altstadt—public sidewalk, accessible 24/7.
Approach: Pause, read the inscription, and reflect. Clean the plaque or leave a small stone or flower to honor the memory.
Photography: Discreet, respectful photography is permitted.
Group Visits: For educational or group tours, contact local organizations like Haus des Erinnerns or the Jewish Community of Mainz.
Commemorative Dates: Special events are often held on International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27) and the anniversary of Kristallnacht (November 9).

Preservation and Ongoing Initiatives

The Stolpersteine in Mainz are maintained by a collaboration of municipal services, volunteers, and community groups. Regular cleaning and educational events ensure the stones remain visible and their stories accessible. The project continues to grow as more individuals are researched and commemorated (stolpersteine-mainz.de).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the visiting hours for the Anna Cantor Stolperstein?
A: Accessible 24/7; no restricted hours.
Q: Is there an entry fee or ticket required?
A: No, visiting is free and open to all.
Q: How do I get there from Mainz Hauptbahnhof?
A: A 15–20 minute walk through the historic city center, or via tram/bus to Altstadt.
Q: Can I participate in cleaning the Stolperstein?
A: Yes, gently cleaning the stone is encouraged as an act of remembrance.
Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, through Haus des Erinnerns and other local organizations.

Summary Table: Key Visitor Information

Aspect	Details
Location	Breidenbacherstraße 19, Mainz Altstadt
Accessibility	Public sidewalk, accessible 24/7
Entry Fee	None
Best Visiting Times	Anytime; especially meaningful on Jan 27 and Nov 9
What to Bring	Soft cloth, small stone or flower
Nearby Attractions	Haus des Erinnerns, Mainz Synagogue, Old Town sights
Further Information	Stolpersteine Mainz

Conclusion

The Stolperstein for Anna Cantor in Mainz is a powerful testament to the individuals lost to Nazi persecution and the resilience of memory. This living memorial, accessible to all and embedded in the city’s daily life, encourages visitors to reflect, remember, and participate in ongoing acts of remembrance. By visiting Anna Cantor’s Stolperstein, you join a collective commitment to ensure that history is never forgotten and that dignity and humanity endure.

For further engagement, download the Audiala mobile app for interactive maps, audio guides, and more. Explore related articles on Mainz’s Holocaust memorials and Jewish heritage, and follow local organizations for updates on tours and events.