Stolperstein Dedicated To Betty Gerson

Stolperstein Betty Gerson Mainz: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Guide

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The Stolperstein dedicated to Betty Gerson in Mainz, Germany, offers a moving and personal way to engage with the stories of Holocaust victims memorialized within the city’s streets. Stolpersteine—literally “stumbling stones”—are small brass plaques set into sidewalks at the last freely chosen residences of individuals persecuted under the Nazi regime. Conceived by German artist Gunter Demnig in 1992, the Stolpersteine project is now the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust memorial, with over 100,000 stones installed in more than 1,800 cities across Europe. These stones personalize the collective tragedy of the Holocaust by restoring the names and lives of victims to the places they once called home (Wikipedia: Stolperstein).

Mainz, a city with a rich and historically significant Jewish community, actively participates in this project. Over 340 Stolpersteine have been installed here, including the stone for Betty Gerson in the Bretzenheim district near Zaybachstraße. This guide provides comprehensive insights into the history, cultural importance, practical information, and respectful etiquette for visiting the Betty Gerson Stolperstein and the broader Stolpersteine network in Mainz.

Origins and Concept of Stolpersteine
Expansion and Scale of the Project
Stolpersteine in Mainz
Visiting: Practical Information
Research and Installation Process
Symbolism and Cultural Significance
Public Reception and Controversies
Stolpersteine as Living Memorials
Betty Gerson Stolperstein: Historical Context
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion and Visitor Resources
Sources

Origins and Concept of Stolpersteine

The Stolpersteine project was initiated in 1992 by Gunter Demnig as a decentralized memorial to Holocaust victims. Each Stolperstein is a 10x10 cm concrete cube topped with a brass plate, inscribed with the victim’s name, birth date, fate, and, where known, date of death. The phrase “Hier wohnte…” (“Here lived…”) personalizes the loss, returning a sense of individuality to each victim (Wikipedia: Stolperstein).

The first Stolperstein was installed in Cologne in 1992, marking the 50th anniversary of the Auschwitz decree—a pivotal moment in the Nazi campaign of deportation and extermination.

Expansion and Scale of the Project

From its modest beginnings, the Stolpersteine project has grown exponentially. Over 100,000 stones have been laid across Europe, commemorating not only Jewish victims, but also Sinti and Roma, political prisoners, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others persecuted by the Nazi regime (Wikipedia: Stolperstein). Stolpersteine are found in more than 1,800 cities and towns, making remembrance a part of daily life.

Stolpersteine in Mainz

Mainz’s Jewish community, once vibrant and influential, was devastated during the Nazi era. As of 2024, 342 Stolpersteine and one Stolperschwelle (threshold stone) have been installed in Mainz and its surrounding districts (Liste der Stolpersteine in Mainz). The installations are coordinated by the Haus des Erinnerns – für Demokratie und Akzeptanz and the Verein für Sozialgeschichte Mainz e. V., who also maintain a digital archive of victim biographies and historical photos (Haus des Erinnerns – Stolpersteine).

Visiting: Practical Information

Accessibility and Visiting Hours

Stolpersteine are installed in public sidewalks and are accessible 24/7, year-round, without tickets or reservations. The best time to visit is during daylight for visibility and safety. The city center and most neighborhoods are pedestrian-friendly.

Guided Tours and Walking Routes

Guided Stolpersteine walking tours are occasionally offered by local organizations and tourism offices. These tours provide historical background and personal stories behind specific stones. Digital resources—including the Stolpersteine Guide app—offer interactive maps and self-guided walking routes (Stolpersteine Guide).

Nearby Attractions

Mainz’s Stolpersteine can easily be incorporated into a broader itinerary including:

Mainz Cathedral: 10th-century Romanesque architecture.
Gutenberg Museum: Celebrating the inventor of the printing press.
Jewish Museum Mainz: Chronicling the city’s Jewish history.
Roman Theater: Ancient ruins close to the city center.

Research and Installation Process

The installation of each Stolperstein follows careful research, often conducted by local historians, volunteers, and sometimes relatives. Key sources include the 1939 Judenkartei and municipal archives. If original buildings are gone, stones are placed as close as possible to the original address. Each stone is manufactured and engraved by Demnig or his team, and installations are often marked by public ceremonies (Haus des Erinnerns – Stolpersteine).

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

Stolpersteine are intended to prompt passersby to “stumble” in thought, pausing to remember lives interrupted by Nazi violence. The stones serve as a counterpoint to the anonymity of mass murder, restoring dignity and personal histories. In Mainz, Stolpersteine are part of educational programs and school curricula, fostering remembrance across generations (Stolpersteine Guide).

Public Reception and Controversies

While Stolpersteine are widely embraced in Germany, some critics have expressed discomfort with memorializing victims in the pavement. In cities like Munich, installations are limited to private property, while in Mainz, broad community support ensures public installations continue (Wikipedia: Stolperstein).

Stolpersteine as Living Memorials

Stolpersteine are not static; new stones are regularly added as research uncovers more victims. Digital archives and mobile apps make biographies and locations accessible to all, ensuring that remembrance evolves with new discoveries (Stolpersteine Mainz; Stolpersteine Guide).

Betty Gerson Stolperstein: Historical Context

The Stolperstein for Betty Gerson in Mainz-Bretzenheim, near Zaybachstraße, marks the last residence of the Gerson family, who operated a local butcher shop. Like many Jewish families, they were deported and murdered during the Holocaust. The stone invites reflection on both personal and communal loss (Mapcarta).

Address: Mainz-Bretzenheim, near Zaybachstraße, Germany
Accessibility: Embedded in the pavement, wheelchair accessible
Public Transport: Well-connected; check local transit apps or Mainz tourism websites for directions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Where is the Betty Gerson Stolperstein located?
A: Mainz-Bretzenheim, near Zaybachstraße, at the former Gerson family residence (Mapcarta).

Q: Is there an admission fee or ticket required?
A: No. Stolpersteine are outdoors and always free to visit.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, guided walking tours are occasionally available; the Stolpersteine Guide app offers self-guided routes.

Q: Is the site accessible for people with disabilities?
A: Yes, most Stolpersteine are on public sidewalks and accessible, though some areas may have uneven surfaces.

Q: How can I find more information?
A: Use the Stolpersteine Mainz website and Stolpersteine Guide for maps and biographies.

Visitor Etiquette

Pause and read inscriptions thoughtfully.
Polishing brass plaques is a local tradition to honor memory.
Leaving small stones or flowers is a respectful Jewish remembrance practice.
Photography is allowed; please be discreet and respectful of the residential setting.

Educational and Cultural Impact

Stolpersteine in Mainz serve as powerful educational tools, making history tangible and fostering intergenerational dialogue. Schools, local organizations, and descendants regularly participate in research, ceremonies, and maintenance. The stones personalize the impact of the Holocaust and connect Mainz to a broader European network of remembrance (Haus des Erinnerns – Stolpersteine; Stolpersteine Mainz).

Digital Resources and Ongoing Engagement

Interactive Maps: Stolpersteine Mainz
App: Stolpersteine Guide
Official Project: Stolpersteine.eu
Visuals: High-quality images and maps are available for planning and educational purposes.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Visiting the Stolperstein for Betty Gerson in Mainz is more than a historical experience—it is an act of remembrance and empathy. The Stolpersteine project transforms the city into a living memorial, challenging us to confront the past and uphold the values of dignity, tolerance, and human rights. Enhance your visit by exploring interactive maps, joining a guided tour, or participating in local remembrance events. By engaging with these memorials, you help keep memory alive and affirm your commitment to a more just and humane world.