Stolperstein Dedicated To Bernhard Zacharias

Stolperstein Bernhard Zacharias Mainz: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The Stolpersteine (“stumbling stones”) project is the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust memorial, commemorating victims of Nazi persecution by embedding small brass plaques in pavements at their last freely chosen residences or workplaces. One such stone honors Bernhard Zacharias in Mainz-Bretzenheim. His memorial offers visitors a deeply personal connection to history and serves as a lasting reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. This guide covers the historical background, cultural significance, practical visiting details, and how you can engage respectfully with this unique memorial in Mainz.

Origins and Concept of the Stolpersteine Project

Initiated in 1992 by German artist Gunter Demnig, the Stolpersteine project arose from a desire to create a decentralized, individualized form of Holocaust remembrance. Rather than grand monuments, Demnig envisioned small, personalized plaques—each measuring 10 x 10 cm—set in the pavement before the last freely chosen residence of each victim. These stones are inscribed with the individual’s name, date of birth, date of deportation, and fate, beginning with the words “Hier wohnte…” (“Here lived…”) to highlight the personal histories interrupted by the Nazi regime (stolpersteine.eu).

Demnig’s approach, influenced by the concept of “social sculpture,” invites communities, survivors, and descendants to take an active part in researching, funding, and installing the stones. This participatory model has become central to the project’s philosophy and expansive reach (stichting-stolpersteine.nl).

Expansion and Geographic Reach

Since its inception, the Stolpersteine project has expanded to over 27 countries, with more than 100,000 stones installed in nearly 1,900 municipalities across Europe. While the project began in Germany, it now spans Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, Italy, France, and many other countries affected by Nazi persecution. Each Stolperstein is individually researched and installed, ensuring the memory is rooted in the community’s specific history (stolpersteine.eu).

Commemorative Philosophy and Impact

The Stolpersteine project is unique in its focus on individual remembrance. Unlike large collective memorials, every Stolperstein restores the victim’s name and story to public consciousness, in line with the Talmudic teaching: “A person is only forgotten when his or her name is forgotten.” The stones prompt passersby to pause, reflect, and acknowledge the individuals whose lives were uprooted (stichting-stolpersteine.nl; germany.info).

By embedding memory in the everyday urban landscape, Stolpersteine make the absence and loss from the Holocaust tangible, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and encouraging ongoing reflection.

Criteria and Inclusivity

Stolpersteine honor all victims of National Socialism, including Jews, Sinti and Roma, political dissidents, LGBTQ+ individuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, people with disabilities, and others persecuted by the Nazis. The project is open: anyone can request a stone for a victim, regardless of how they suffered under Nazi oppression (stichting-stolpersteine.nl).

Research, Installation, and Community Involvement

Each Stolperstein is preceded by careful research, often involving local historians, family members, and archives. The installation itself is a public event, sometimes accompanied by ceremonies, readings, and music, which fosters community engagement and remembrance. Gunter Demnig and his team oversee the production and installation, maintaining a high level of craftsmanship and authenticity (stolpersteine.eu).

The Stolperstein for Bernhard Zacharias in Mainz

Historical Background

Bernhard Zacharias was born on November 15, 1879, in Mainz-Bretzenheim, where he worked as a master butcher. He lived at Wilhelmsstraße 55 (now Wilhelmsstraße 51). On March 25, 1942, he was deported with other Jews from Mainz to the Piaski Ghetto in occupied Poland, where he was murdered on April 30, 1942. His Stolperstein, inscribed with these details, marks the site of his last freely chosen residence and commemorates his life and tragic fate (Beer-Mainz Stolpersteine; mapcarta.com).

Personal and Community Significance

Bernhard Zacharias’s Stolperstein is one of over 350 in Mainz, each of which restores an individual’s name to public memory. In Mainz-Bretzenheim alone, ten Stolpersteine mark three commemorative locations, personalizing remembrance in the city’s neighborhoods (Beer-Mainz Stolpersteine). The project’s decentralized structure encourages active engagement from residents, descendants, and local organizations.

Rituals and Maintenance

Community members, schools, and descendants regularly clean Stolpersteine, especially before Holocaust Remembrance Day or on the anniversaries of deportation. This act of care keeps the memory alive and honors the dignity of those commemorated.

Practical Visitor Information

Location and Access

Address: Wilhelmsstraße 51 (formerly 55), Mainz-Bretzenheim
How to find: Use the interactive Stolpersteine map or Stolpersteine Mainz website for GPS coordinates and biographies.

Visiting Hours and Tickets

Access: Stolpersteine are located in public sidewalks and accessible year-round, 24/7, with no tickets or admission fees.
Accessibility: The memorial is wheelchair accessible, but reading inscriptions may require stooping down.

Guided Tours and Educational Resources

Guided Tours: The Haus des Erinnerns and other local organizations offer guided tours and educational programs. Advance booking may be required.
Self-Guided Tours: Download walking routes and guides from the Stolpersteine Mainz website or use the interactive map for a self-guided experience.

Nearby Attractions

Mainz Cathedral
Jewish Museum Mainz
The Gutenberg Museum
Other Stolpersteine throughout Mainz

Visitor Etiquette

Pause and read the inscriptions respectfully.
Discreet photography is welcome; please be mindful of the solemn nature of the memorial and the privacy of local residents.
Visitors are encouraged to gently clean the plaques or place a small stone, flower, or candle as a tribute.

Educational and Community Engagement

Stolpersteine serve as powerful educational tools. Schools and civic groups in Mainz actively participate in research, installation, and maintenance, fostering historical awareness and intergenerational dialogue. The decentralized nature of the project turns the entire city into a living memorial (stolpersteine.eu). By naming victims and situating their memory within public spaces, the Stolpersteine foster a culture of remembrance and responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are Stolpersteine?
A: Small brass plaques embedded in sidewalks to commemorate individual victims of Nazi persecution at their last freely chosen residence.

Q: Where is the Bernhard Zacharias Stolperstein located?
A: At Wilhelmsstraße 51 (formerly 55), Mainz-Bretzenheim. Use the official map for details.

Q: Is there an entry fee or visiting hours?
A: No, the site is public and accessible at all times, free of charge.

Q: Can I join a guided tour?
A: Yes, contact the Haus des Erinnerns or check with Mainz tourism for scheduled tours.

Q: How can I participate or support the project?
A: You may help clean the stones, attend commemorative events, or support local remembrance initiatives.

Summary and Visitor Recommendations

The Stolperstein for Bernhard Zacharias in Mainz stands as a powerful symbol of personalized remembrance and the commitment to honoring Holocaust victims within the very fabric of the city. By visiting, reflecting, and engaging with the memorial and the broader network of Stolpersteine, visitors help ensure that the stories of individuals like Bernhard Zacharias are not forgotten. Explore related sites, participate in tours, and utilize digital resources to deepen your understanding of Mainz’s history and its ongoing culture of remembrance.