Stolperstein Dedicated To Dr. Alfred Haas

Stolperstein Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance in Mainz, Germany

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

Visiting the Stolperstein dedicated to Dr. Alfred Haas in Mainz provides a poignant and intimate encounter with the city’s Jewish heritage and the wider landscape of Holocaust remembrance. Stolpersteine—literally “stumbling stones”—are small brass plaques set into sidewalks at the last freely chosen residences of individuals persecuted by the Nazi regime. Each stone transforms the urban environment into a living memorial, inviting reflection, education, and remembrance. The Stolperstein for Dr. Haas honors a respected Jewish physician whose life and career were cut short by National Socialism.

This guide offers comprehensive visitor information, including precise location details, accessibility, and practical advice to enhance your experience. It also explores the historical significance of Dr. Haas’s story within Mainz’s Jewish community and the broader Stolperstein project, now the world’s largest decentralized memorial with over 100,000 stones across Europe (Wikipedia; Mainz.de). Mainz, a SchUM city and a center of medieval Jewish culture, has a profound and turbulent Jewish history spanning more than a millennium (Rheinhessen.de). The Stolpersteine throughout Mainz, including Dr. Haas’s, tell personal stories that highlight the Holocaust’s devastating impact on the city’s Jewish population.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a student, or a traveler seeking meaningful cultural experiences, this guide will help you navigate your visit to the Stolperstein of Dr. Alfred Haas, connect with Mainz’s remembrance culture, and engage thoughtfully with this memorial landscape. You may also wish to explore nearby historical sites like the Mainz Cathedral and the Jewish Museum or participate in guided tours and commemorative events (Haus des Erinnerns; Stolpersteine Mainz).

Introduction: Why Visit the Stolperstein of Dr. Alfred Haas?
What Are Stolpersteine? A Brief Overview
Location and Accessibility of the Stolperstein for Dr. Alfred Haas
Visiting Hours and Ticket Information
Historical Context: The Life and Fate of Dr. Alfred Haas
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Cultural and Educational Significance
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Plan Your Visit: Summary and Recommendations
Additional Resources and Contacts

What Are Stolpersteine? A Brief Overview

The Stolperstein project, launched by artist Gunter Demnig in 1992, is a decentralized memorial initiative honoring individuals persecuted by the Nazi regime. Each Stolperstein is a small concrete cube topped with a brass plate, inscribed with the victim’s name, birth year, fate, and, where known, dates of deportation or death. These stones are embedded at meaningful locations—most often the last freely chosen residence—turning everyday streets into sites of remembrance (Wikipedia; LBI.org).

By 2024, over 100,000 Stolpersteine have been installed across 21 European countries, commemorating Jews, Sinti and Roma, political dissidents, disabled individuals, homosexuals, and Jehovah’s Witnesses (Fabrizio Musacchio). The project reclaims a painful past by inviting passersby to “stumble”—not in body, but in thought—prompting reflection on the individual lives behind the statistics (Mainz.de).

Stolpersteine in Mainz: A Local Memorial Landscape

Mainz’s Jewish community, historically known as “Magenza,” has roots reaching back to the 10th century and was a center of Jewish life in the medieval SchUM cities (Rheinhessen.de). By 1933, the community numbered about 2,600; at least half were murdered in the Holocaust (Mainz.de). The first Stolpersteine in Mainz were laid in 2007, and today, more than 350 stones commemorate victims throughout the city and the Mainz-Kastel district.

A searchable database with biographies and locations is maintained by the Haus des Erinnerns, allowing visitors to trace personal histories and plan their walks.

Location and Accessibility of the Stolperstein for Dr. Alfred Haas

Address: The Stolperstein for Dr. Alfred Haas is installed at his last freely chosen residence in Mainz. For the specific address and map, visit the Stolpersteine Mainz interactive map.
Access: Located at street level, Stolpersteine are accessible at all times and free to visit. Most sidewalks in Mainz are wheelchair friendly, but please take care as some older pavements may be uneven.
Transportation: Mainz is well connected by public transportation. The Stolperstein site can be reached by tram or bus, with stops nearby. Detailed directions are available via local transit resources or the Mainz Tourist Office.

Visiting Hours and Ticket Information

Hours: The Stolpersteine are outdoors and accessible 24/7.
Tickets: No tickets or reservations are required; visiting is always free.
Guided Tours: While self-guided visits are simple, guided tours offered through local organizations provide deeper insights. Check with the Haus des Erinnerns or the Mainz Tourist Office for schedules.

Historical Context: The Life and Fate of Dr. Alfred Haas

Dr. Alfred Haas was a prominent Jewish physician in early 20th-century Mainz, admired for his commitment to patient care and his involvement in the community. With the rise of the Nazi regime, Dr. Haas, like other Jewish professionals, was systematically stripped of his rights, barred from practicing medicine, and subjected to escalating harassment and displacement. He became one of the many Mainz Jews persecuted and ultimately murdered during the Holocaust. His Stolperstein stands as a testament to his life, his suffering, and the city’s lost Jewish heritage.

Practical Tips for Your Visit

Reflect Respectfully: Pause to read the inscription and reflect on Dr. Haas’s story.
Photography: Discreet photography is permitted. Avoid blocking sidewalks or disturbing residents.
Guided Tours: Enhance your visit by joining a tour from the Haus des Erinnerns or the Mainz Tourist Office.
Digital Resources: Access audio guides, biographies, and interactive maps via the Stolpersteine Mainz website or the Audiala app.
Combine with Nearby Sites: Consider visiting the Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and other Stolpersteine across the city.

Cultural and Educational Significance

The Stolperstein for Dr. Alfred Haas is not just a memorial but an educational tool. It invites all who pass to remember the individual stories behind the Holocaust, ensuring that victims are not forgotten and that the lessons of history remain present in daily life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Where is the Stolperstein for Dr. Alfred Haas located?
A: Use the Stolpersteine Mainz interactive map for the exact address and directions.

Q: Is the Stolperstein accessible at all times?
A: Yes, it is outdoors and open 24/7.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes. Tours can be booked through the Haus des Erinnerns or the Mainz Tourist Office.

Q: Is photography allowed?
A: Yes, but please be respectful of the setting and those who live nearby.

Q: Is the site wheelchair accessible?
A: Most Stolpersteine are located on accessible pavements, though some older sidewalks may present minor challenges.

Plan Your Visit: Summary and Recommendations

A visit to the Stolperstein for Dr. Alfred Haas is a meaningful way to engage with Mainz’s history and the memory of its Jewish citizens. Accessible at all hours and free of charge, the memorial is easy to include in your itinerary. For an enriched experience, plan your visit using digital resources, consider a guided tour, and take time to explore other historical sites in the city.

Additional Resources and Contacts

Stolpersteine Mainz Website: https://stolpersteine-mainz.de/
Haus des Erinnerns – für Demokratie und Akzeptanz: Flachsmarktstr. 36, 55116 Mainz; Website
Mainz Tourist Office: Markt 17 (Domplatz); Website
Audiala App: Available on iOS and Android for audio-guided tours of Mainz’s Stolpersteine

Historical Overview of the Jewish Community in Mainz

The Jewish community of Mainz, or “Magenza,” is among the oldest in the German-speaking world, with records dating to at least the 10th century (Rheinhessen.de). Mainz, together with Worms and Speyer, formed the SchUM cities, centers of medieval Jewish culture and scholarship. The community survived cycles of growth and persecution, contributing to the economic and intellectual life of Mainz despite repeated expulsions and violence (Mainz Tourism; ArchDaily).

The Judensand, Mainz’s Jewish cemetery, is one of Europe’s oldest, with burials from the 11th century (JGuide Europe).

The Jewish Community During the Nazi Era and the Holocaust

The rise of the Nazis in 1933 marked the community’s darkest chapter. Mainz’s Jews, numbering several hundred families, faced systematic exclusion, violence, and dispossession. On Kristallnacht (9–10 November 1938), the main synagogue was destroyed, homes and businesses were attacked, and community members arrested (ArchDaily).

Visiting Jewish Community Sites in Mainz

Visiting Hours: Most sites, including the Jewish Museum and Judensand Cemetery, are open Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–17:00. The cemetery is free; the museum charges admission.
Guided Tours: Offered year-round and can be booked online or at local tourist offices. Special events and commemorations occur annually.
Accessibility: Most sites are accessible, though some older locations may be challenging for those with mobility issues.
Travel Tips: Mainz’s city center is walkable and well-served by public transport. Wear comfortable shoes and check the weather.
Nearby Attractions: Mainz Cathedral, Gutenberg Museum, Rhine River promenade, and local restaurants enhance your visit.

Cultural Significance and Visitor Experience

Visiting Jewish sites in Mainz is both a historical journey and a chance to reflect on resilience and the city’s cultural legacy. Informative plaques, interactive exhibits, and multimedia presentations enrich your understanding and engagement.

FAQ: Jewish Sites in Mainz

Q: What are the visiting hours for Jewish sites?
A: Most are open Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–17:00.

Q: Are tours available?
A: Yes, they can be booked in advance.

Q: Is there an admission fee?
A: The Jewish Museum charges; other sites like the cemetery are free.

Q: Is photography allowed?
A: Generally yes, except in sacred spaces where flash is discouraged.

Q: How do I get there?
A: Sites are centrally located and accessible by foot, public transport, or taxi.

Call to Action

Plan your visit to the Stolperstein of Dr. Alfred Haas and explore Mainz’s rich remembrance culture. Download the Audiala app for audio guides and interactive maps, follow local cultural centers for event updates, and deepen your connection with Mainz’s layered history.