Stolperstein Dedicated To Eva Adler

Stolperstein Eva Adler Mainz: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Guide

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The Stolperstein dedicated to Eva Adler in Mainz is a poignant memorial and a powerful entry point into the history of Jewish life in the city, the devastation wrought by the Holocaust, and the ongoing culture of remembrance in Germany. Stolpersteine (“stumbling stones”), conceived by artist Gunter Demnig, are brass plaques embedded in sidewalks before the last freely chosen residences of Nazi victims, serving as decentralized, tangible reminders of individual stories within the broader tragedy. Eva Adler’s Stolperstein is one of over 100,000 placed throughout Europe, and its location in Mainz’s historic old town places it amid one of the continent’s most significant Jewish heritage landscapes (Stolpersteine Official).

This guide provides everything you need for a meaningful visit: historical context, practical visitor information, accessibility guidelines, recommendations for guided and self-guided tours, and connections to related Jewish heritage sites in Mainz. Whether you are a local, a tourist, or a researcher, this article will help you honor Eva Adler’s memory while exploring Mainz’s rich Jewish past.

Contents Overview

Historical Context of the Stolpersteine Project
- Stolpersteine in Mainz: Local Memorial Landscape
- The Story of Eva Adler
Visitor Information
Cultural and Educational Significance
Nearby Historical Sites in Mainz
Installation Process
FAQs
Visual and Interactive Resources
Summary and Visitor Recommendations
Sources and Further Information

Historical Context of the Stolpersteine Project

Stolpersteine: A Decentralized Memorial Across Europe

Initiated in the 1990s by German artist Gunter Demnig, the Stolpersteine project is now the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust memorial, with over 100,000 stones installed in more than 900 locations across Europe (Stolpersteine Official). Each Stolperstein commemorates an individual persecuted by the Nazi regime—Jews, Roma, Sinti, political prisoners, LGBTQ+ individuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others—by marking their last self-chosen residence. The stones bear inscriptions with the victim’s name, birth year, fate, and, where known, details of deportation and death.

Unlike traditional monuments, Stolpersteine are integrated into the urban landscape, inviting passersby to literally and metaphorically “stumble” upon these histories and prompting reflection and remembrance.

Stolpersteine in Mainz: Local Memorial Landscape

Mainz, a city with a Jewish presence dating back to the 10th century and central to the UNESCO-listed SchUM cities, has actively participated in the Stolpersteine project since 2007 (Rheinhessen.de). Over 350 Stolpersteine have been installed throughout Mainz and its districts, including those for the Adler family, with new stones added as research continues (Stolpersteine Mainz).

The project is community-driven, involving local citizens, historians, survivors’ descendants, and organizations such as Haus des Erinnerns – für Demokratie und Akzeptanz Mainz. Installations are often accompanied by public ceremonies, readings, and educational activities.

The Story of Eva Adler

Eva Adler was among the many Jewish residents of Mainz who were deported and murdered during the Holocaust. Her Stolperstein, set into the pavement at her last freely chosen address, bears a simple inscription:

“Hier wohnte Eva Adler, geboren [Jahr], deportiert [Jahr], ermordet [Ort], [Datum].”

This stone personalizes the history of the Holocaust and transforms the anonymous statistics of genocide into an intimate act of remembrance. Her memory is now interwoven with the daily life of the city, a silent but persistent call to remember and honor all victims.

Visitor Information

Locations and Accessibility

Location: The Eva Adler Stolperstein is in Mainz-Altstadt (historic old town), typically near her last freely chosen residence. Use the Stolpersteine Mainz online map and database or the Wikipedia list of Stolpersteine in Mainz to find the precise address.
Accessibility: Stolpersteine are embedded in public sidewalks and can be visited at any time, free of charge. Most sites are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, though some cobblestone areas may be challenging. The Mainz tourist office can assist with accessible routes.

Recommended Walking Tours and Guided Experiences

Self-Guided Walks: Visitors can plan their own routes using online maps or the SchUM storytelling app (Rheinhessen.de). The Stolpersteine are often clustered in the old town, making it easy to visit several on foot.
Guided Tours: The Mainz tourist office and organizations like Haus des Erinnerns offer guided tours focusing on Jewish heritage, often including Eva Adler’s Stolperstein. These tours provide deeper historical context and personal stories.

Practical Visiting Tips

Visiting Hours: Stolpersteine are accessible 24/7, year-round. Daylight hours are recommended for better visibility.
Tickets: No tickets or reservations are needed; all Stolpersteine are free public memorials.
Etiquette: Pause to read the inscription and reflect. It is customary to place a small stone on the plaque as a Jewish gesture of remembrance. Avoid standing directly on the Stolperstein, and be respectful of local residents.
Photography: Discreet photography is permitted and can help raise awareness. Please avoid obstructing foot traffic or disturbing residents.
Special Dates: International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27) and the Kristallnacht anniversary (November 9) are significant dates when community commemorations and cleaning events often occur.

Cultural and Educational Significance

Stolpersteine are unique in their ability to make history visible and personal. In Mainz, they are used in educational programs, with schools and community groups researching biographies, cleaning stones, and participating in ceremonies (Stolpersteine in Education). This engagement fosters empathy, critical thinking, and a commitment to remembrance.

Digital resources, such as interactive maps and databases, further extend the educational reach of the Stolpersteine project, inviting global audiences to explore individual stories like Eva Adler’s (Stolperstein Database).

Nearby Historical Sites in Mainz

Enhance your visit by exploring other Jewish heritage and historical sites:

Old Jewish Cemetery “Judensand”: Europe’s oldest Jewish cemetery, with tombstones from the 11th century (Rheinhessen.de).
New Synagogue (Kedusha Synagogue): A symbol of Jewish renewal, open for visits during certain hours.
Mainzer Judengasse: The historic Jewish quarter, rich in medieval history.
Haus des Erinnerns – für Demokratie und Akzeptanz: A center for memory culture, exhibitions, and educational workshops (Haus des Erinnerns).
Museums: The Stadthistorische Museum and Landesmuseum Mainz offer exhibitions on Jewish culture and city history.

Installation Process

The process for installing a Stolperstein in Mainz is community-based:

Research: Verification of biographical data and addresses.
Application: Submission to local authorities and partner organizations.
Funding: Typically sponsored by descendants, individuals, or civic groups.
Ceremony: Public installations with readings and remembrance.

Since 2024, more installations have become community-led, reflecting the local integration of the Stolpersteine project (Stolpersteine Mainz).

FAQs

What are Stolpersteine?
Brass plaques embedded in sidewalks to commemorate individuals persecuted by the Nazis at their last chosen residences.

Where is Eva Adler’s Stolperstein?
Check the Stolpersteine Mainz map or Wikipedia list for the exact address.

Are there any visiting hours or tickets required?
No. Stolpersteine are accessible at all times and are free to visit.

Can visitors participate in cleaning or ceremonies?
Yes. Community cleaning and remembrance events are often open to the public.

Are guided tours available?
Yes. Contact the Mainz tourist office or Haus des Erinnerns for details.

Visual and Interactive Resources

Photos: High-quality images are available on Stolpersteine Mainz and Stolpersteine Official.
Interactive Maps: Plan your route using the digital Stolperstein Database.
Virtual Tours: Explore Jewish Mainz virtually via the SchUM Cities portal.

Summary and Visitor Recommendations

The Eva Adler Stolperstein in Mainz stands as a powerful, enduring symbol of remembrance. By embedding individual stories in the city’s everyday landscape, the Stolpersteine project makes the past present and challenges us to remember, reflect, and act. Visiting Eva Adler’s Stolperstein is free, accessible, and deeply moving, especially when combined with Mainz’s other Jewish heritage sites.